Introduction to the Road to Quality Process using the Missouri Afterschool Program Self- Assessment

 Gain understanding of the process of the Road to Quality and why it is important  Learn the key components of Quality Programs  Introduce the Missouri Afterschool standards, MO-KS Core Competencies of Afterschool providers and Missouri Afterschool Program Self-Assessment  Learn to complete the Missouri Afterschool Program Self-Assessment

 Group A WORST YOUTH WORKER EVER! ◦ Describe a person who absolutely should not work with children ◦ What do they do? ◦ What do they say?  Group B WORST PROGRAM PLAN EVER! ◦ Describe the most inappropriate youth program ◦ What are the program’s goals for youth? ◦ What activities are available?

 How was that process for you?  Why would we start a workshop about Quality with the Worst Ever?

 SL4K Piloted the Road to Quality Process in 2003  Since that time we have used this process with hundreds of programs in our region and dozens more across the state through Missouri After School Network  Unique process that involves ALL STAFF

 Team building  Greater involvement among staff  Customized plan for your program  Site-specific support  Documented improvement  Part of a statewide movement  Making Missouri a leader in afterschool field

 Quality Standards Orientation ◦ 2 hour workshop for all new staff to introduce the Missouri Afterschool Self-Assessments ◦ Takes place at the beginning of the school year in September/October

 Self Assessment completed by all staff using MO Afterschool Program Standards  Self Assessment booklets are returned to SL4K for tabulation and use in Consensus Building  Submitted by October/November

 Consensus Building- also known as Planning with Data  Based on Assessment results  Up to a 3 hour planning session facilitated by SL4K staff to identify areas of strength and improvement  Takes place November/December

 Create Action Plan towards Quality Improvement based on areas identified in Consensus Building Conversation  Three goals are chosen to work on  Takes place November/December

Area of Concern (from the MO Assessment) Intended Outcome (what you would like to see happen) Activities or action steps to resolve concerns Person responsible and date to be completed Actual outcome (what actually happened or occurred)

 On-going Technical Assistance from United 4 Children towards achieving Action Plan goals  Follow up at 30, 60 and 90 days  Plan is revised as needed  Implementation takes place January through May

 Evaluate –discuss challenges  Celebrate successes

 Communication/training link between site and Project  Conduct Group Assessment Training and facilitate Quality Assessment Results  Assist in development of Action Plan  Keep Quality Process on timeline schedule  Work with directors and staff as a team

 Attend Assessment Orientation  Complete self-assessment process  Create Action Plan  Implement Action Plan  Follow-up with TA Coordinator at scheduled times

Program Content Program Personnel Program Management  Physical Environment, Interpersonal Relations, & Curriculum and Activities  Covered in KS and MO Core Competencies for Youth Development Professionals  Family Involvement, Human Resources, Safety and Health, & Business Administration

The research indicates the following aspects of afterschool programs that make the difference in achieving positive results for young people:  Student accessibility to programs in addition to ongoing and consistent student participation,  Quality programming involving adequate supervision and structure, well-trained staff and well-planned developmentally appropriate programming and  Strong partnerships with families, schools and other community resources.

 Review the Standards  Establish an objective mindset  Get a broad picture ◦ Other Tips:  Take your time (don’t try to do this all in one sitting)  Ratings must be your own  When you come across an area you don’t have first hand experience with, find out

 Shaded standards are basic practices that should be present in all programs. Rate as Yes (it is evident) or No (it is not evident)  Remaining standards are rated on a scale ◦ 4: Consistently Observed ◦ 3: Frequently Observed ◦ 2: Seldom Observed ◦ 1: Not Observed

 Notice that there are examples under each standard that may help to clarify it in practice and others may be added by you  Make sure you have specifics to support your ratings (quotes, procedures, practices).

Now let’s try rating a couple of standards based on our own program experiences

 In your small group review the page you’ve been assigned pick out 2 standards to share with the group ◦ Share one standard that makes a lot of sense ◦ Share one standard that is unclear

Target DateWhoAction October 12, 2012All StaffReceive orientation to standards September/October 2012 All StaffFill out Missouri Afterschool Program Self-Assessment booklet October 20, 2011All StaffFinished booklets submitted for tabulation December 6, 7, 13, &15 All StaffConsensus meeting to review ratings and identify growth areas, create Quality Action Plan December 17, 2012Site Director Final Action Plan submitted to United 4 Children January –May 2013Site Director and staff Implement Action Plan

 In your group, create a visual representation of the sights and sounds of a quality program or the characteristics of the “the best youth worker ever”

Call if you have questions! Gloria Hampton ext. 108