Campaign for Quality
Introduction
The Network is excited to launch the Campaign for Quality. This campaign will provide after school practitioners with promising practices that are linked to the indicators found in The California After School Program Quality Self Assessment Tool (QSA). The Network will highlight research-based promising practices linked to the QSA tool.
Monthly tips will be posted as part of our electronic newsletter and website. We encourage you to utilize these tips as part of your strategy for continuous program improvement.
For free access to the Quality Self Assessment Tool, and to offer input to the tool for its next revision visit www.afterschoolnetwork.org/qsatool
Promising Practices in Administration/Leadership
A quailty program offers staff opportunities for professional growth and development
High quality after-school programs have well-trained, skillful staff. Research has found that after-school staff should have strong skills in: group management, providing positive support to young people, involving youth in program design (1), and using sequenced, explicit instructional strategies(2).
Promising Practices in Program Environment:
Staff who are Aware of the Special Health and
Medical Needs of Participants
Accommodating Kids with Disabilities in After School Programs – Where to Begin
Quality after-school programs reach a diverse range of children by having an appropriate program structure has to be inclusive of all children—regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic status, religion, or disability. By creating this type of environment, after-school programs can foster and build community, respect, and understanding for the wellbeing of all children and youth.
Maintain, Follow, and Train Your Staff on an Early Release Policy
Maintain, Follow, and Train Your Staff on an Early Release Policy
Education Code requires that all After School Education and Safety and 21st Century Community Learning Centers programs must establish and maintain a policy regarding the reasonable early daily release of pupils from the program that is consistent with providing pupils a safe environment and the local educational agency's (LEA) release policy established for the regular day. The policy should be developed in collaboration with LEA officials, legal counsel, after school grant administrators, community partners, parents, guardians, and others, as appropriate, to ensure that the early release policy is consistent with LEA policy, and meets local needs and all legal requirements. Link to sample early release policies under Tools to Start and Operate After School Programs below.
Tips For Increasing Enrollment in Your After School Program
California currently has the capacity to serve 400,000 children with state and federally funded after school programs. Our hope is that every program reaches its enrollment target. What can you do to help make this happen?
Allowable ways to Expend ASES Funds when under an expenditure deadline
This tip was created because many newly funded after school programs had the unique challenge of spending the remainder of their 2006-07 ASES funds prior to December 31, 2007. We know how valuable every dollar is to after school programs. The California Afterschool Network has some ideas to help your program maximize its use of funding resources.
Tips for a Successful New School Year
Safety First: Review your school site emergency and safety plan with staff and program participants. Take the necessary steps to create an emotionally and physically safe environment for everyone.
Belonging: Help everyone feel welcome and included. Plan plenty of “get to know you” activities to help staff and participants begin to form new relationships and re-establish old ones.