I often hear that the HEPA standards can be overwhelming: "There are so many of them. How could I possibly implement these on my site?" Yes, there are a lot of them. But one thing to remember is that these are a vital framework—and a way to talk about healthy eating and physical activity components in afterschool programs that move the work forward.
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.
Employee burnout is at an all-time high as we are transitioning through and out of the pandemic. Many places are short-staffed, and well, short-tempered. Our mental, emotional and physical health have been tested in more ways than we ever thought possible. We are burning out. Which means returning or even transitioning back into the workplace is a challenge for us all.
To accelerate student learning and ignite their natural curiosity, Discovery Education provides an array of no-cost dynamic digital resources supporting learning anywhere. This selection of content, created in partnership with leading corporate and community partners, inspires students to learn together by exploring the world around them. Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place.
As out-of-school time providers plan for the new school year, many are looking to social-emotional learning SEL to respond to the needs of children, staff and the communities they serve. The traumatic events of recent years and the COVID-19 pandemic have affected kids, but social-emotional skills—such as community-building, empathy and kindness, and growth mindset—can help children stay resilient.
As an afterschool professional or leader you are expected to prioritize the wellness of those around you. But how often are you prioritizing yourself? Neglecting your own wellness and putting your self-care on the back burner only does a disservice to those who look to you for leadership.
Afterschool and community-based programs require a different mindset than ever before—from the challenge of socially distanced classrooms, to creating engaging learning experiences that build confidence and resilience in person and virtually.
NAA's "Stories That Shape Us" series shines a spotlight on the authentic stories and varying career paths of the afterschool profession. Told from the perspectives of NAA members themselves, each story is unique and highlights the differences but also the commonalities of the dedicated professionals serving youth around the country in out-of-school time today.
NAA's "Stories That Shape Us" series shines a spotlight on the authentic stories and varying career paths of the afterschool profession. Told from the perspectives of NAA members themselves, each story is unique and highlights the differences but also the commonalities of the dedicated professionals serving youth around the country in out-of-school time today.
Would you put a driver behind the wheel of a car alone after a single driving lesson? Probably not!
And while kids' healthy development is the most pressing concern in our field, we often do just this—provide a single training to youth workers and expect them to be ready, from becoming a STEM whiz to being trauma-informed. It may be due to a lack of money or time, and certainly not for a lack of concern. There's simply not enough support for youth work professionals trying to help kids thrive.
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