COA - Council On Accreditation

	After School Programming and Services

Introduction

Registration

Certification

Accreditation

Definition

After School Programs engage school-age children and youth in a variety of social, educational, and recreational activities appropriate to their needs, interests, and abilities. Programs may operate at different times, including before school, after school, mid-day, and during school vacations, including summer vacations. They may also refer to themselves using other terms, such as “school age care” or “out-of-school time." As noted in the Glossary, children and youth between the ages of five and seventeen are considered to be of "school age."

Note: When Standards Interpretations include multiple examples of ways programs can demonstrate implementation of a standard, it is not expected that every example will necessarily be found at every program. Rather, the examples are intended to guide programs, by illustrating a variety of different ways to show that a standard is being met. Programs may also be meeting the standard in other ways not included in the list of potential examples.

For more information about the structure and features of the standards, and requesting an NA when a standard is not applicable, please see the After School Guidelines. For more information about the evidence needed to demonstrate standards implementation, please see the Table of Evidence.

Research Note: Rather than focusing solely on the prevention or reduction of problem behaviors, positive youth development emphasizes the importance of helping young people develop the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical assets that can help them transition to responsible adulthood. Accordingly, community-based programs for children and youth are often designed to provide the supports and opportunities that may help young people have positive developmental experiences and improve the long-term chances that they will become personally and socially stable, involved with their communities, and economically secure. Although some young people have more unmet needs than others, all children and youth may benefit from access to the supports and opportunities that promote resilience and healthy development.


	PURPOSE: Children and youth who participate in After School Programs gain the personal and social abilities and attitudes needed to form positive identities, boost self-esteem, build skills, navigate challenging situations, avoid negative behaviors, assume leadership roles, embrace diversity, and establish healthy connections with others in the community.

RELATED FILES


	COMMUNITY The area where the program is located (i.e., the neighborhood, city, town, or county). The term may also refer to a group of people who are defined by and/or share a common culture, values, norms, language, race, religion, ethnicity, age, occupation, political status, tribal affiliation, interest in particular problems or outcomes, or other common bonds. Often, many smaller communities coexist within a city or town.


	SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN AND YOUTH Children and adolescents legally required to attend school. Children and youth between the ages of five and seventeen are generally considered to be of school age.


	PREVENTION Actions taken to minimize and/or eliminate social, psychological, or other conditions. Prevention can occur at the individual, group, community, and societal levels and enhances opportunities to achieve positive fulfillment.


	EXPERIENCE In the context of human resources, related experience includes work with school-age children or youth in a setting similiar to that of an after school program. Settings may include, but are not limited to: recreation centers, child care homes or centers, camps, schools, fine arts programs, or social service agencies. One year experience means full time (2,080 hours of work). The total number of hours can be from a combination of positions. See the ASP-HR Related File “Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities” for more information.