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View statewide afterschool initiatives by category
Collaboration: University Partnerships
Refers to partnerships between state agencies and universities.
Your search returned 16 results:
Indiana -- Afternoons R.O.C.K.
Iowa -- AmeriCorps State of Promise Program
Kansas -- The Kansas Enrichment Network (KEN)
Maine -- Communities for Children and Youth (C4CY)
Minnesota -- Minnesota Commission on Out-of-School Time
Minnesota -- Center for 4-H Youth Development
Minnesota -- Professional Development for Practitioners Working with School-Age Youth
Minnesota -- McKnight Foundation
New Jersey -- New Jersey Professional Development Center for Early Care and Education (NJPDC)
Arkansas -- Arkansas 21-Century Network
Arkansas -- Raising Arkansas Youth
North Dakota -- North Dakota 4-H
Oklahoma -- Oklahoma State 4-H and Extension Service
South Carolina -- Sisters of Charity Foundation Afterschool Initiative
Wisconsin -- Wisconsin Community Education Association
Tennessee -- Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA)
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION |
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| Indiana | Afternoons R.O.C.K.: Afternoons R.O.C.K. began in 1997 as an afterschool drug prevention program for youth ages 10 to 14 administered through the Indiana Department of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) and its community-based partners. The acronym R.O.C.K. represents the mission of the program to provide Recreation, Object lessons, Culture and values, and Knowledge. Born of a need for constructive, supervised activities for youth during afterschool hours, Afternoons R.O.C.K. teaches youth about social and media influences, conflict resolution, and violence and substance-abuse prevention. The Indiana Prevention Resource Center at Indiana University provides technical assistance to 14 Local Prevention Services Coalitions that bring the program to targeted youth in each Indiana county. For more information, see www.drugs.indiana.edu/programs/rock.html State Profile
| | Iowa | AmeriCorps State of Promise Program: Coordinated and administered by Iowa State University Extension, 4-H Youth Development, this initiative provides extended learning opportunities for youth by assigning AmeriCorps members to afterschool and summer programs in nine Iowa school districts. Funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service and host sites' extensive network of community partners, the program provides academic assistance, mentoring, and service learning opportunities for over 700 Iowa middle school students. State Profile
| | Kansas | The Kansas Enrichment Network (KEN): In 2002, the University of Kansas Institute for Educational Research and Public Service received funding from the C.S. Mott Foundation with matching funds from the Kansas Health Foundation, Ewing Marion Kaufman Foundation, Sunflower Foundation, United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, and support from the Kansas State Department of Education and University of Kansas School of Education to create a state-wide afterschool network. The Kansas Enrichment Network is a collaborative, coordinated-service partnership committed to the children of Kansas. KEN is building and expanding school-based, faith-based, and community-based programs to enhance afterschool programs and provide technical assistance to new and established programs. The network focuses its efforts on elements of: quality, sustainability, partnership building, evaluation, research, and public awareness and policy development. In 2004, KEN’s work in collaboration with the Kansas Children’s Campaign and Kansas Action for Children produced and disseminated a report, A Call for Quality Afterschool Programs in Kansas. This report identified local, state, and national goals including professional standards, state systems coordination, a flexible funding source, and integration with workforce and economic development. The Kansas Continuous Improvement Process Rubric for Afterschool offers a tool for improving afterschool program quality and sustainability. The focus on quality produced a partnership with the Missouri Afterschool Network to develop a set of credentials for afterschool directors and core competencies for afterschool professionals. Beginning in 2007, a collaborative workgroup seeks to organize a professional development system centered around the competencies and credentials. In 2005, the C.S. Mott Foundation and current foundations provided matching funding to continue KEN’s work. The new funding for innovations focused on an afterschool sustainability model for local communities. This model has been implemented in two communities, Russell and Hoisington, Kansas as they seek to establish out-of-school time experiences for their youth. KEN’s technical assistance services continue to be refined and formalized. In 2007, a Physical Activity and Nutrition Conference provided program staff strategies to address the current concerns of sedentary youth lifestyles and increasing overweight and obesity. During 2008, professional development opportunities will expand to include various curricular options as well as sustainability, diversity, and program evaluation. KEN continues to implement an action plan for policy to help establish state funding for afterschool programs with the guidance of state advocate leaders, Kansas Action for Children and Strategic Communications of Kansas. An Afterschool for All Campaign kicks off in May of 2008 with a goal of 10,000 supporters for out-of-school time opportunities.
For more information, see http://www.kansasenrichment.net State Profile
| | Maine | Communities for Children and Youth (C4CY): C4CY is a statewide initiative of the Maine Children’s Cabinet designed to create a partnership between state government and local communities as they work to prevent poor outcomes for children and youth and instead promote positive development. The goals of the initiative are to improve the well-being of children and youth in every Maine community and increase educational achievement levels. C4CY invites all communities to become “Partner Communities,” and today C4CY has 64 active communities, representing more than 300 municipalities and 70% of the state’s population. The initiative receives funding from the Children’s Cabinet and private grants generated by the state coordinating office and local communities. Local communities from Children’s Leadership Councils develop strategic plans to promote child well-being and receive assistance from VISTA volunteers. One significant initiative of C4CY is the replication of the Colby Cares About Kids College/Community mentoring program, where Colby mentors are matched with area children and youth to improve their academic, social, and emotional well-being. This model is now replicated at University of New England Biddeford, University of Maine at Orono, and Bowdoin College. State Profile
| | Minnesota | Minnesota Commission on Out-of-School Time: The Commission, part of the University of Minnesota Presidential Initiative on Children, Youth, and Families, was convened by the University of Minnesota President in January 2004, with the charge to create the vision and strategies necessary to ensure Minnesota’s young people have engaging opportunities to learn and grow in non-school hours. The Commission was comprised of experts from a variety of fields including business, philanthropy, higher education, and community. Commissioners studied national and state research findings, identifying a vision for out-of-school time (OST) in Minnesota as well as issues facing young people, their families, program providers and policymakers. A series of recommendations contained in a final report was released in June 2005. A series of research briefs was prepared by Commission staff to inform the Commission’s deliberations in key thematic areas. The Minnesota Out-of-School Time Partnership has supported the work of the Commission and will assume leadership for addressing priority areas in Commission recommendations moving forward.
For more information, see www.mncost.org
State Profile
| | Minnesota | Center for 4-H Youth Development: The Center for 4-H Youth Development and its statewide staff of educators and program coordinators are dedicated to making a measurable difference in the quality, availability, and impact of out-of-school opportunities for youth ages 6 to 18. Efforts include both direct service programs such as 4-H clubs and 4-H Afterschool Programs as well as the Minnesota Youth Work Institute, which provides training opportunities for volunteers and professionals working with youth. New afterschool and summer programs with Native American reservations and at public housing sites are underway, and the Center recently launched a series of research and policy symposia on out of school time opportunities, including discussion guides for communities. For more information see www.mn4H.org or www.mnywinsitute.org State Profile
| | Minnesota | Professional Development for Practitioners Working with School-Age Youth: The Department of Human Services has a contract with MNSACA to develop and implement strategies coordinated with the state’s professional development system that will improve and strengthen the quality and care available to school-age youth and their families. The effort integrates mentoring support into system delivery. Products will include a self-assessment template for programs and practitioners to determine training needs and a sequence of program improvement training from entry level through accreditation. The online School Age/Youth Professional Development Center, available at www.mnsaca.org/trainings_trainers.html, provides resources to providers, including links to professional development opportunities, mentoring, and networking programs. State Profile
| | Minnesota | McKnight Foundation: The Minnesota-based foundation funds out-of- school time programs run by community-based organizations. The Foundation also supports the Minnesota Youth Work Institute, a university- based professional development initiative to provide training for adults working with young people. For more information, see www.mcknight.org State Profile
| | New Jersey | New Jersey Professional Development Center for Early Care and Education (NJPDC): NJPDC supports the professional development and continuing education of educators across the state with funds from the New Jersey Department of Human Services. The Center, housed at Kean University, partners with the New Jersey Association of Child Care Resources and Referral Agencies (NJACCRRA) to offer a system of a professional development supports and services for all educators, including out-of-school time practitioners.
For more information, see http://www.njpdc.org. State Profile
| | Arkansas | Arkansas 21-Century Network: This initiative, a partnership of the Arkansas Department of Education and the Yale Center for Child Development and Social Policy, seeks to provide Arkansas' children and families with high quality educational programs. In 2001, the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation joined the effort with a five-year commitment to increasing the network's capacity statewide. Several of the School of the 21st Century Network communities have focused on providing extended-day afterschool programs for elementary and middle- school students. For more information, see http://www.yale.edu/21c/arkansas/ State Profile
| | Arkansas | Raising Arkansas Youth: In 2000, representatives from Arkansas attended a national Search Institute meeting that focused on programs that help develop the 40 essential youth development assets for young people. Since that meeting, the group, formalized as the Raising Arkansas Youth (RAY) Initiative, meets regularly to determine how Arkansas will implement a statewide asset-building initiative. With coordination by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension service, the initiative is a collaborative effort of many organizations, including Arkansas' Promise, New Futures for Youth, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA, Communities and Schools, Jones Center for Families, Sheriffs Youth Ranch, Little Rock Air Force Base, Department of Volunteerism, and others. Afterschool programs are a key focus of the group's work. State Profile
| | North Dakota | North Dakota 4-H: 4-H programs, including afterschool programming, independent study, and clubs for youth, are offered in every county in North Dakota. 4-H is the largest and only research-based youth organization in the state, reaching about 35 percent of eligible youth. Programs are offered through the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension Service. The North Dakota 4-H Foundation provides grants to NDSU Extension staff or 4-H clubs offering innovative programs in areas such as workforce preparedness and cultural awareness.
For more information, see www.ext.nodak.edu/4h/4-h.htm State Profile
| | Oklahoma | Oklahoma State 4-H and Extension Service: Oklahoma State 4-H is invested in quality afterschool programs and continued education for all afterschool staff and teachers. 4-H has included Afterschool Child Care/High Risk Behavior as an impact area for the FY06-09 Plan of Work for Oklahoma. Twenty-eight educators are involved on this impact team. A web-based training was held in January 2004 for 30 state afterschool staff and educators and all that attended were given a copy of 4-H Afterschool in a Box. In addition, several programs throughout Oklahoma (like the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club) use 4- H curricula such as the 4-H Food Science, Health Rocks, and Ag in the Classroom to enhance their afterschool projects and lessons. The Oklahoma State 4-H and Extension Service is working to expand and strengthen this role so more Oklahoma children will have experiential learning opportunities and sustainable programs. State Profile
| | South Carolina | Sisters of Charity Foundation Afterschool Initiative: Recognizing the need for afterschool programs in South Carolina, the Sisters of Charity Foundation undertook research to determine the most effective, best practices currently in use. After reviewing the research conducted by the University of South Carolina Institute for Families in Society, the Foundation decided to start an Afterschool Initiative that specifically addressed after school programming in rural communities for children in grades 1-5. By targeting rural, community based programs, the Foundation aims to reach underserved children and families in South Carolina. Sisters of Charity Foundation has committed approximately $1 million to four programs around the state over the next three years. For more information, see http://www.sistersofcharitysc.com/afterschool.htm. State Profile
| | Wisconsin | Wisconsin Community Education Association: In 1979, the University of Wisconsin Extension Services and the Wisconsin Technical College System signed a ?memorandum of understanding?
with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to promote the use of schools as community learning centers. Though not backed with
legislation or formal funding, this agreement led to great expansion of collaborative learning activities for school-age children and youth using public schools and community-based centers in the state. Currently, over 65 community education programs and over 200 afterschool
programs work closely with the Wisconsin Technical College System and the University of Wisconsin Extension Services.
For more information, see http://www.wi-communityed.org. State Profile
| | Tennessee | Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA): Supported by the Tennessee Department of Human Services and administered by Tennessee State University, TECTA provides training and professional development programs to child care providers in Tennessee. School-age care providers who are employed in a registered family or group home or licensed child care center can enroll in a free School-Age Orientation course. A certificate is offered to providers who complete the 30-hour orientation, which ties into a provider's star rating. In 2002-2003, 183 providers completed the School-Age Orientation. For more information, see http://www.nccic.org/ccpartnerships/profiles/ tennearly.htm. State Profile
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