News
Check out the latest news about NAA and special announcements pertinent to the field of afterschool.
Build Protective Factors to Support Staff, Students, and Families
Wednesday, 07 June 2023 08:33Sunrise of Philadelphia supports youth who face adversity to discover their strengths, experience success, and prepare for their futures. As we are becoming a more trauma-informed organization, focusing on Protective Factors helps us to support staff and students in managing and addressing trauma, which has increased dramatically as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cast Your Vote! The Ballot Box is Open for NAA Board Candidates
Tuesday, 06 June 2023 17:15The National AfterSchool Association is excited to announce that our committee has reviewed all board application materials and 17 wonderful candidates were selected to campaign! The ballot is open for voting now through midnight on June 14, 2023.
Check 1, 2… Passing the Mic for Mental Health Awareness Month
Wednesday, 31 May 2023 08:32Since the pandemic, Mental Health has taken center stage for many wellness checks across occupations. However, we know that OST professionals are statistically less likely to take the time they need for themselves to take care of their emotional well-being. At the beginning of this month, we issued a survey requesting details of how members of our field prioritize their mental wellbeing and how your organization supports those efforts. The answers offer a glimpse of what a truly supported workforce looks like.
Ask One Simple Question: What Are You Proud Of?
Wednesday, 31 May 2023 08:31In her book, Emotional Agility, author Susan David writes about the challenging situations we face as humans. She says, “when we find ourselves experiencing something difficult, we often get enmeshed in our concerns, emotions, and stories.” However, David shares that we can step out of the struggle and into our strengths by asking ourselves one specific question--what are you proud of? This question, the author argues, is often reserved for bigger celebrations, but we’d benefit from asking it more frequently. Why? She says that when you find yourself in a disappointing or difficult situation it’s likely that there is an action you are taking that you feel proud of. Her advice? Look for opportunities and ask yourself what you’re proud of and notice how your answer motivates you to work toward what matters to you.
Time to Level Up Your Credentials with ACRES
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 09:24Are you looking for OST professional development opportunities to learn more about providing high-quality STEM programming? You’re in luck! We’re teaming up with ACRES to host four workshops focused on digital badges for afterschool and out-of-school professionals. These sessions are free, live, interactive, and one hour in length with some of ACRES’ amazing coaches! Register here.
Board Candidate Applications Closing Soon!
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 09:23Candidate applications to be considered for the National AfterSchool Association (NAA) Board of Directors are due Friday, May 26, 2023 at 9 p.m. ET! The term begins in July 2023, and our primary focus for this year’s board applications is on leaders whose work and professional expertise can further the goals of NAA and the afterschool profession through advocacy, media/messaging/storytelling, and fundraising.
Get Active with NFL PLAY 60!
Wednesday, 24 May 2023 09:22Encourage your students to get active for 15 minutes of fitness and fun with the American Heart Association and the National Football League! With testing out of the way and a need for creative ways to stay active, the NFL PLAY 60 Fitness Breaks are the perfect way to help your students and program participants add more movement to their day. The NFL PLAY 60 Fitness Breaks also help students learn about the importance of physical activity and other health topics to boost long-term well-being. Watch with your students on-demand now.
OST is Not a Battlefield
Wednesday, 17 May 2023 10:31During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of the word “frontline” gained traction. We used it to refer to people working in hospitals and positions essential to the country’s functioning. The term has its origins in the military where it is used to describe the place closest to the dangers of conflict and where close-range combat occurs. Images of combat don’t usually come to mind when we think of the frontline workers who led the country through the worst of the pandemic with compassion and dedication. And while the term ‘frontline’ is now used in many different settings, the word brings with it elements of its original meaning. Despite changes in how we use it, “frontline” still implies conflict, or at least friction. When applied to staff in out-of-school time (OST) settings, the term may subtly influence the way we think about their work and the children and youth they serve.
Reimagining: NAA at Dallas Afterschool’s First Regional Conference
Wednesday, 17 May 2023 10:29Dallas Afterschool, the city-wide intermediary in Dallas, Texas, held its first-ever regional conference. NAA CEO Gina Warner was invited to keynote the inaugural event. Gina started by addressing the innovative work being done in Dallas to support the youth and afterschool professionals across the city and appreciation for the diversity of programs found in the city.
What’s in a question? The Design Thinking Process
Wednesday, 17 May 2023 10:27So what are some problems that Out-of-School time (OST) practitioners experience when utilizing online resources? Well, the Achievery Learning Cohort identified several of these questions during their monthly virtual cohort meeting. After a couple of weeks to reflect on our initial brainstorming ideas from the kickoff meeting, the cohort rejoined to fine-tune their research project to create a tool that supports OST programs that gets the most out of online resources while also being equitable and valuable for their program utilizing The Achievery.
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