Need for After School Need for After School programsprograms

28 million school children have 28 million school children have parents who work outside the homeparents who work outside the home

Estimates of 5-15 million children are Estimates of 5-15 million children are “latchkey” kids, returning to home “latchkey” kids, returning to home alone after schoolalone after school

Chronic shortage of after school Chronic shortage of after school programs existprograms exist

Need particularly great in urban Need particularly great in urban areasareas

Types of ProgramsTypes of Programs

Many local ASP are based on national Many local ASP are based on national models and use their guidelines or models and use their guidelines or resourcesresources

Programs fall into five general areasPrograms fall into five general areas Language artsLanguage arts Study SkillsStudy Skills Academic SubjectsAcademic Subjects TutoringTutoring Community-basedCommunity-based

Effective Program Effective Program ComponentsComponents

Academic – when possible align AFP Academic – when possible align AFP curriculum with school curriculum curriculum with school curriculum and use teachers in bothand use teachers in both

Provide as much one-on-one tutoring Provide as much one-on-one tutoring as possibleas possible

Emphasize team recreational Emphasize team recreational activitiesactivities

Develop social skillsDevelop social skills Clear goals and infrastructureClear goals and infrastructure

Effective Program Effective Program Components cont’dComponents cont’d

Well trained staff and volunteers – Well trained staff and volunteers – staff development is keystaff development is key

Inclusion of families in program Inclusion of families in program planning and delivery when possibleplanning and delivery when possible

Attention to safety, health and Attention to safety, health and nutrition issues nutrition issues

After School ResourcesAfter School Resources

www.after-school.govwww.after-school.gov www.usdoj.gov/kidspagewww.usdoj.gov/kidspage www.ed.govwww.ed.gov Pfie.ed.govPfie.ed.gov Publications from USDOEPublications from USDOE

Working for Children and Families: Safe Working for Children and Families: Safe and Smart After-School Programsand Smart After-School Programs

Keeping Schools Open as Community Keeping Schools Open as Community CentersCenters