Health and Safety During Afterschool Programs

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Health and Safety During Afterschool Programs

• Healthy Communities Conference
• September 29, 2009

Presented by Jean Berger 4-H Youth
Development Agent Marathon County
UW-Extension Debbie Moellendorf 4-H Youth
Development Agent Lincoln County UW-Extension
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Out-of-School Time Key to Childrens Success

• Programs children engage in play a key role in
• Ongoing learning by providing opportunities for
  exploring interests
• Gaining important lifelong skills such as problem
  solving, conflict resolution, teamwork and
  leadership
• Providing opportunities to positively connect
  with adults
• Source Schools Out! Out-of-School Time Key to
  Childrens Success, A WisKids Policy Brief, Fall
  2006, Wisconsin Council on Children and Families

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Growing Body of Research suggests.

• Afterschool programs have positive effects on
  outcomes such as,
• Motivation
• Engagement in Learning
• Expectations of Success
• Social Competencies
• Source Schools Out! Out-of-School Time Key to
  Childrens Success, A WisKids Policy Brief, Fall
  2006, Wisconsin Council on Children and Families

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After-school Programs also

• Keep youth out of trouble by providing a safe and
  structured time during critical afternoon hours.
• Provides an important ingredient to parents
  employment stability.
• Source Schools Out! Out-of-School Time Key to
  Childrens Success, A WisKids Policy Brief, Fall
  2006, Wisconsin Council on Children and Families

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Quality Out of School Time Makes a Difference in
School

• Children of color and children from low income
  families gain the most ground when they have
  access to high-quality out of school experiences
• Math scores improved when youth participated in
  afterschool programs
• Youth who have access to summer enrichment
  programs avoid the summer slide
• Quality programs are those which provide
• access to sustained participation
• appropriate supervision and structure, well
  prepared staff and intentional programming
• partnerships with families, other organizations
  (4-H clubs) and schools
• Source More than Fun and Games Quality Out of
  School Time for All Kids Makes a Difference in
  School WisKids Count Issue Brief, Summer 2008

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People agree.

• From education experts to law enforcement to
  parents, there is universal agreement that
  afterschool programs reinforce student learning
  and provide safe havens and enrichment
  opportunities during non-school hours.
• Source Schools Out! Out-of-School Time Key to
  Childrens Success, A WisKids Policy Brief,
  Fall 2006, Wisconsin Council on Children and
  Families

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UW-Extensions Role

• Assessment of Need
• Support for Grant Writing and other Funding
• Provide Training and Curriculum Resources
• Work with Older Youth to Teach Programs in
  Afterschool Settings
• UW-Ext. Staff Teaching Programs
• Implement Afterschool Programs
• Integrate youth into 4-H Clubs
• Evaluate Impact of Afterschool Programs

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Assessment of Need

• Survey community, parents and students to
  determine need
• Survey of community afterschool programs to
  determine what was already in place and where
  there are gaps
• Work with key partners to determine appropriate
  role for UW-Extension

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Grants and Other Funding

• Collaborate on 21st Century Grants
• CYFAR Federal Funding
• Safe and Stable Families Funding
• MetLife Afterschool Funding
• Solicit Community Donations, including in-kind
  contributions
• Support from 4-H Leaders Organizations

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Provide Training and Curriculum Resources

• Training for Day Care Providers, School Staff and
  Afterschool Staff
• Provide access and support for use of 4-H
  Curriculum in afterschool setting
• Facilitate participation in regional and state
  afterschool training opportunities

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Work with Older Youth to Teach Programs

• Train Middle School Youth to work with summer
  elementary program
• Train 4-H Ambassadors to lead 4-H projects and
  anti-bullying programs (Boomerang)
• 4-H Ambassadors facilitated community service
  projects and wrote grants

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UW-Extension Staff Teach

• Teach 4-H project related curriculum
• Basketry
• Knitting and Crocheting
• Rocketry
• Cake Decorating
• Science and Engineering
• Foods and Nutrition
• Multi-cultural programming

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Implement Afterschool Program

• Organize Steering Committee to implement
  afterschool program for middle school
• Coordinate and supervise afterschool staff
• Manage funds for afterschool program

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UW-Extension Website

• 4-H Afterschool Website
• Curriculum
• Evaluation
• Training Opportunities
• Marketing ideas
• Link to http//www.uwex.edu/ces/4h/afterschool/i
  ndex.cfm

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After the Bell

• A free opportunity for middle school youth to
  participate in enrichment activities through the
  support of community organizations and
  businesses, Merrill Area Public Schools and
  Lincoln County UW-Extension 4-H Youth
  Development.

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After the Bell

• The program allows students a safe place to play
  board games, complete homework, make crafts,
  visit with friends and have a snack. In
  addition, special enrichment program are offered
  each day.

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Nutrition and Fitness Programs
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Program Participants create Thank Yous and
Present Them to Program Supporters
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After the Bell Plus

• A tutoring component held in conjunction with
  the After the Bell program which is supported
  through a grant that the Merrill School District
  received for the 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 and
  2008-09 school years.

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A Quote

• The After the Bell program has caught a few of
  our students that could otherwise, very easily
  have fallen through the proverbial crack. Not
  having anyone at home to involve them in
  worthwhile, fun and engaging activities, those
  students are having a crucial need fulfilled.
• 7th Grade Teacher
• 2005-06 Survey

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One More Quote

• The PRMS After the Bell program is one of the
  best after school programs I have ever seen in
  operation. The students just love it! It has
  been growing by leaps and bounds! Our own staff
  tutors the students and have made unbelievable
  bonds! Kudos to Lincoln County Extension service
  for the vision to make this happen for our kids!
• Principal during 2005-06 School Year

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Newcomers at Their 1st Fair!
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Incorporating Nutrition
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Working Across Cultures
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Group Planning
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Older Youth as Mentors
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Youth also take on leadership roles

• Serve as members of the Steering Committee
• Market the program to others
• Provide input at the program
• Give back to the community through service
  opportunities
• Teach and/or serve as helpers at the program
• Conduct fundraisers
• Recognize those who make program possible
• 4-H youth hired to staff summer programs

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Evaluate Impact

• Utilize UW-Extension evaluation tools to assess
  impact of programs
• Tools are issued to students, parents/guardians,
  and school staff
• Prepare impact reports for funders and other key
  stakeholders

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Thank you

• Any questions?