POLICY FRAMEWORK

  • Program content should: be driven by youth development outcomes; address the range of youth needs including academic assistance and physical, social and emotional wellness; be ethnically, linguistically and culturally appropriate; meet the needs of youth with disabilities; and incorporate 21st century skills to improve workforce readiness.
  • Access: Afterschool and summer programs should be available in all communities across the state; parents should have access to information about options in their communities; barriers to participation including affordability and transportation should be addressed. 
  • Quality standards should drive programs serving children and youth up to age 18; programs should be supported to meet quality standards through assistance and incentives. 
  • Professional Development and Staffing should be supported by a workforce system that includes school-age core competencies and a career ladder that links increased qualifications to increased compensation; training should focus on project-based learning, meet the needs of diverse youth and families, and be ongoing. 
  • Resources and Sustainability: Existing resources should be coordinated to allow for program flexibility and system efficiency; infrastructure to ensure sustainability should be funded; additional public funding streams should be created with new dollars invested. 
  • Partnerships: Public/private partnerships should be developed and promoted to help sustain programs and ensure programming meets the needs of local communities, employers and families.