Virtual PD

Afterschool programs across the country serve children and youth from diverse backgrounds. While staff who work directly with young people tend to be representative of the populations they serve, a racial leadership gap persists. Through this initiative and with the generous support of the S.D Bechtel Jr. Foundation, NAA seeks to help address this racial leadership gap and advance equity in the afterschool field. Elevating this topic so that the afterschool field can more intentionally and effectively create a leadership pipeline for people of color is critical and is a key element in ensuring that the afterschool workforce can best meet the needs of the young people it serves.

The Building Capacity for Leaders of Color Initiative will:

• Pilot a national learning community for leaders of color in the afterschool field that builds capacity in equity-driven leadership practices and supports career advancement through personal exploration and analysis of power, privilege and oppression.
• Conduct a survey of the afterschool workforce to identify opportunities and gaps in the field that will inform strategies for advancing equity in leadership.
• Publish a report highlighting current practices in the afterschool field that build a pipeline for leaders or color and foster a culture that supports their retention and upward mobility.

Join the Leaders of Color Learning Community

NAA is piloting a national learning community for leaders of color to foster a network of equity-driven leaders of color, support them in deepening their equity analysis and leadership skills to be agents of change in the afterschool field and help them create a roadmap that advances their careers in the afterschool field.

This leadership opportunity is now accepting applications from people of color in out-of-school time who hold mid-level management positions (i.e. site coordinators, program managers, etc.) and would like to be a part of an equity-driven leadership program that will support them in advancing in their careers in the afterschool field.

To apply or for more information, visit the PLC web page.

CLICK HERE

The Afterschool Leadership Landscape: Supporting and Strengthening Racial Equity

Christina Russell and Alisha Butler, Policy Studies Associates

NAA engaged Policy Studies Associates and Public Profit in a collaborative effort to frame efforts to support the diversity and capacity of afterschool leaders. This new report identifies a racial leadership gap across the nonprofit sector, including afterschool, and provides recommendations for supporting emerging leaders of color.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

Contributing Partners

The National AfterSchool Association
The National AfterSchool Association (NAA) is the national membership organization for professionals who work with and on behalf of children and youth during out of school time. NAA's mission is to promote development, provide education and encourage advocacy for the out-of-school-time community to further the afterschool profession. An estimated 10.2 million children participate in afterschool programs each year and the industry employs an estimated 850,000. Visit https://naaweb.org/ for more information about the association.

California School-Age Consortium (CalSAC)
Since 1982, the California School-Age Consortium (CalSAC) has brought out-of-school time programs and professionals together to strengthen their skills, deepen their impact, and advocate for policies that benefit children and families. Through transformative training, leadership development and advocacy experiences, CalSAC is building a future where every child in California — regardless of income, race, or zip code — has access to high quality, affordable out-of-school time programs. CalSAC is a state affiliate of the National Afterschool Association. Visit www.calsac.org/fellowships for more information.

Development Without Limits (DWL)
The team at Development Without Limits (DWL) envisions a world where every youth serving organization ensures that every child--especially those who have been historically underserved-- has engaging, affirming learning experiences. DWL builds the skills, knowledge and confidence of afterschool leaders so they are empowered to lead and sustain quality programs that will empower all youth to thrive. Visit www.developmentwithoutlimits.org for more information.

Policy Studies Associates (PSA)
Policy Studies Associates (PSA) provides capacity building, research, and program evaluation services that are rigorous, policy-relevant and have practical applications. For over 35 years, PSA experts have applied lessons learned about the quality, implementation and effectiveness of initiatives in education and afterschool to help leaders make sound decisions. Visit www.policystudies.com for more information.

Public Profit
Public Profit helps mission-driven organizations measure and manage what matters, providing evaluation, strategic program design, training and capacity building, and data visualization services. The Public Profit team is passionate about using social science research methods to empower organizations to use evaluation findings to get better at what they do. Visit www.publicprofit.net for more information.

Advisory Group

Jaynemarie Angbah, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies
Vincent Arroyo, Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
Jonathan Brack, Foundation for California Community Colleges
Tommy Brewer, THINK Together
Jen Curry, Change Impact
Eva Guitierrez, Girls Inc. of Alameda
Jackie Jainga Hyllseth
Tasha Johnson, YMCA of the USA
Dontae Privette, Playworks
Dara Rose, Horizons National
Michelle Seija, Surge Institute

This past summer, NAA's Executive Member webinar series SEL for Kids Starts with the Adults dove into the reports that support SEL in afterschool, offered tips for choosing SEL curriculum, and guided leaders in how to assess their own emotional intelligence quotient and determine next steps to grow.

We appreciate your help in this historic, national effort!

More About the National Afterschool Workforce Survey

Currently, there is limited information and demographic data about the afterschool workforce. The National AfterSchool Association wants to better understand the afterschool workforce so we can support professional growth, improve representation for all in advocacy efforts and help to advance equity within the field.

The National Afterschool Workforce Survey is NAA’s research endeavor to deliver a robust profile of the afterschool workforce, its experiences and perspectives. Your participation helps NAA uncover trends and identify opportunities and gaps in the field that will inform new strategies.

Thank you again for your support.

Check Out Some of NAA’s Other Resources & Initiatives

Building Capacity of Leaders of Color Initiative
In partnership with the California School-Age Consortium and drawing upon the success of their fellowship for emerging leaders of color, NAA will pilot a national learning community for leaders of color to foster a network of equity-driven leaders, deepen their equity analysis and skills to be agents of change, and create a roadmap that advances their career in the afterschool field.

LEARN MORE

NAA Convention 2020
The NAA Annual Convention is where afterschool professionals and leaders gather to get inspired, connected, learn and share! Your experience includes four days of networking, learning and inspiration: special events, workshops, daily keynotes and an interactive Learning Expo—all designed to meet the needs of the developing professionals and emerging and current leaders of afterschool.

In addition, on March 18th, the last day of NAA20 Convention, NAA and the Afterschool Alliance invite you to SPEAK UP and advocate for afterschool during the Afterschool for All Challenge.

LEARN MORE

Professional Development Articles
NAA publishes fresh, new content every week filled with meaningful articles and practical resources to strengthen your career, support quality in afterschool and build professional knowledge.

READ MORE

Many afterschool and summer learning programs are implementing social and emotional learning initiatives, but not all afterschool professionals feel prepared to discuss SEL.

Today, roughly 1 in 6 children has a diagnosed mental, behavioral or developmental disorder.

Just in time for Back to (After)School, we’re excited to release The Afterschool Guide to Building Relationships and Routines. Inside you’ll find over 30 carefully selected games and activities that help afterschool professionals create safe and supportive environments where young people can thrive.

Access this eBook on the Program Resources page of your membership profile.

LOG IN TO ACCESS     JOIN NAA (IT'S FREE!)

Presented by:

Have you ever heard a participant in your program say, “I am a computational thinker”? Perhaps not, but after this webinar, you may hear it. Computational thinking builds on other problem-solving strategies to help youth prepare for their future. Computational thinking can be a game changer for young people when they learn problem solving skills with computers.

Participants will...

• Learn about the research behind computational thinking
• Develop strategies for creating a computationally rich environment for youth
• Prepare to integrated computer science in afterschool with or without computers

REGISTER

About Click2SciencePD:
Well-facilitated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities encourage youth to be curious, ask questions, and make connections with the world around them. These are essential skills for success in life and increasingly important in the global economy. Out-of-school time (OST) STEM programs, or STEM learning opportunities that occur outside of the typical school day, can help ensure that young people have these skills. However, many frontline staff and volunteers, who work directly with the youth in these programs, lack the capacity they need to effectively plan and deliver positive STEM learning experiences. Click2SciencePD addresses the need for low-cost, high-quality professional development by providing OST professionals the resources and skills they need to create positive STEM learning experiences with youth.

Gina Warner, NAA President & CEO, welcomes NAA19 participants

“I Believe” presented by NAA’s 2019 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders

Rally for Afterschool at NAA19

NAA19 Keynote Speaker: Jaime Casap

NAA19 Keynote: Melody Herzfeld