Afterschool Programs…Keep kids safe, help working families and inspire learning. Education Policy Forum Breakfast Briefing November 1, 2007 Pittsburgh, PA

Education Policy Forum About PSAYDN Why Afterschool Matters? Pennsylvania Investments Policy Recommendations Partner Highlight: Three Rivers Connect

PSAYDN The purpose of the Network is to promote sustainable, high quality out-of-school time youth development programs through advocacy and capacity building to enhance the welfare of Pennsylvania's children, youth and families.

PSAYDN Goals Connecting People - Create a sustainable structure of statewide, regional and local partnerships, particularly school-community partnerships, focused on supporting policy development at all levels. Creating Opportunity - Support the development and growth of statewide policies that will secure the resources that are needed to sustain new and existing afterschool programs. Changing Lives - Support statewide systems to ensure programs are of high quality.

“The Field” Youth Development School- Age Child Care School- Linked & School- Based

Networks Engage in 3 Activities:  Collaborative research and information sharing Systematic investigation of the target issue or problem conducted jointly by network members  Engaging with stakeholders Moving the research into policy and action, through improved communications and interaction with those in position to put research into action  Network management Setting up and running the operating structure necessary to build the relationships among the participants to strengthen the research, communications and engagement process of individual members and the network as a whole

Pennsylvania after 3 PM ___% of Pennsylvania’s K-12 youth are responsible for taking care of themselves after- school. –a. 26 –b. 13 –c. 50

Pennsylvania after 3 PM 1.PA national ranking- % A. 6 of unsupervised youth afterschool 2. % of youth participating in B. 8 afterschool from working families 3. # of hours average C. 32 child spends alone after-school

Afterschool Matters Children and youth who regularly attend high-quality afterschool programs have: better grades and conduct in school more academic and enrichment opportunities better peer relations and emotional adjustment lower incidences of drug-use, violence and pregnancy

Highlighted Afterschool/Youth Development Investments Pennsylvania has promising strategies: 21st Century Community Learning Centers ELECT Student Works Tutoring Programs Subsidized Child Care Workforce Investment Boards

PSAYDN Recommendations Steps Pennsylvania can take to increase afterschool opportunities for our children and youth are: Conduct a statewide needs assessment Develop and advance a set of high-quality standards Increase the availability of high-quality programs Increase coordination Increase state and federal investments

PSAYDN Strategies MOVING FORWARD… Focus on policy strategies to promote middle and high school success Identify best practices in developing afterschool opportunities for adolescents

REMEMBER… In a new day of learning, there is no final bell. day-learning day-learning

Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network Kisha Bird Project Director Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network 275 Grandview Avenue, Suite 200 Camp Hill, PA ext (Fax)