News
Check out the latest news about NAA and special announcements pertinent to the field of afterschool.
The First Round of ESSER Funding is Ending on September 30th. Are You Ready?
Tuesday, 02 August 2022 10:05Millions of dollars are being pumped into school and out-of-school time (OST) programs by the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund, allowing those programs to make enormous headway into addressing learning loss caused by the pandemic. Schools are tasked with ensuring that all students, both in classrooms and in out-of-school time programs, can access effective learning as well as have support for social, emotional, and mental health needs. Specific to afterschool, it addresses planning and implementing activities related to supplemental afterschool programs and summer learning enrichment to address learning loss.
Advancing Equity and Inclusion in Hiring and Staff Development in OST
Tuesday, 26 July 2022 14:22Over the last 20 years, Out-of-School Time (OST) has progressed with research, practice, and policies related to program quality, yet workforce stability, recruitment, and retention of direct-service workers continues to be a challenge. The National AfterSchool Association (NAA) recently launched the Thriving Out-of-School Workforce Initiative focused on creating a strong and valued profession. In talking about the initiative, Angelica Portillo, NAA’sDirector of Advocacy and Workforce Initiatives, shared, "Moving this invaluable workforce forward is necessary for upholding our commitment to equity, access, and quality."
Four Practical Ways to Use the Code of Ethics
Thursday, 21 July 2022 10:47Teaching ethics is an often-debated topic. How can one present something that is based on values and beliefs? What should ethics conversations be included in staff meetings when we have so many important things to cover? Can ethics even be taught or are they something that is already learned?
Supporting OST Professionals During Back-to-School Season
Thursday, 21 July 2022 10:46In Out-of-School Time, planning for staff development is an important part of the back-to-school season. Staff development is one aspect of job quality that prepares OST professionals to deliver the high-quality programs that ultimately lead to positive youth outcomes. As the professional association for the field, NAA’s mission is to create a strong and valued profession.
Getting Ready for Back-to-(After)School
Thursday, 21 July 2022 10:42Summer is coming to a close and afterschool program planning is well underway. Over the years NAA has created resources to support OST professionals in building high-quality, engaging programs for youth and communities.
A Collective Commitment to Job Quality!
Monday, 11 July 2022 13:41As the professional membership association for people who work with and on behalf of youth during Out-of-School Time (OST), the National AfterSchool Association is concerned about ensuring the number of skilled professionals necessary to provide the quality OST programs that kids and families desperately need.
July is Social Wellness Month!
Monday, 11 July 2022 11:11Social wellness is all about nurturing yourself and your relationships with those around you. It is about creating a healthy lifestyle for yourself, your loved ones, your colleagues, and your communities. Improving social wellness can be as simple as making time to connect with family, friends, co-workers, and others in your life or being active within your community or where you work. Social wellness is directly linked to job quality and overall health.
Revised Code of Ethics for Out-of-School Time Professionals
Wednesday, 29 June 2022 19:54The NAA Code of Ethics for OST Professionals was first published in 2009 then reviewed with an equity lens and revised in 2022. The purpose is to raise awareness of OST professional personal commitments to ethical conduct as we carry out our responsibilities.
National Summer Learning Week is July 11-15, 2022!
Wednesday, 29 June 2022 19:52One of the key ways we can sustain and bring even more attention and support to summer learning programs and the incredible professionals working in them is to collectively celebrate National Summer Learning Week, July 11-15 across the country.
July is National Parks & Recreation Month!
Wednesday, 29 June 2022 19:50July is National Parks & Recreation Month and our friends at National Recreation and Parks Association have created some resources to help you celebrate. This year we are rising up for all the professionals who help build strong and resilient communities, many of those professionals work with youth in out-of-school time. So this month we celebrate you!
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