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Professional Development

NAA publishes fresh, new content every week covering a wide variety of topics related to the field of aftershool. In addition, NAA offers a variety of opportunities for virtual professional development (PD) through meaningful content, conversations and connections. Click here to see full descriptions of virtual PD offerings.

Job Quality - Don’t Wait, Advocate!

Monday, 04 October 2021 00:00
Job Quality - Don’t Wait, Advocate!

Anyone who knows me knows how passionate I am about afterschool. The research and stories about the value of afterschool excite me. The dynamic and skilled professionals committed to their work with and for kids in OST inspire me. These feelings propel our team at NAA to do more deep work advocating for and supporting program, organization, public and philanthropic policies, practices, and funding to support quality programs AND job quality for OST professionals. 

NAA's 32,000 members represent diverse voices, roles, and experiences but are united in a commitment to quality programs for children, families, and communities. We must not allow our field to be penalized for our passion. We must seize the opportunity to shape a different future for our field - one which values OST programs and recognizes, rewards, and provides professionals with the job quality commensurate with their contributions and impact. 

It will take a collaborative effort with all stakeholders --including the very professionals who do this work--to cultivate a broader cultural shift that respects and values the significant influence of this essential workforce. Our field needs actions that support quality afterschool and adequate, holistic compensation for carrying this invaluable workforce forward.  So, don't wait, advocate!

Contributed by Heidi Ham, VP of Programs and Strategy, National AfterSchool Association.

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