Afterschool 101: Getting to know your after-school community
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EmailStart to build your afterschool and out-of-school time network by researching the existing programs in your community.
In the second part of this Michigan State University Extension series called Afterschool 101, we are discussing who makes up your community’s afterschool and out-of-school time (AST/OST) landscape. Who are the organizations? Where, when and how often do they meet? Before you pursue a partnership, it is important to understand how these potential partners may already be connected to one another. It’s time to put the puzzle together.
Many after-school programs take place – where else – at schools! Logically, understanding the afterschool programs already being offered in your county should begin with research into your county’s school districts. As we discussed in Part 1 of this series, there is a robust community of 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) and many Michigan school districts host those programs. Review their site map to find those in your area. Another useful site map tool is maintained by the Michigan After School Partnership (MASP), which shows programs receiving 32N funding. Reviewing this map will give you a starting point for state-funded AST/OST programs near you.
In addition to CCLC sites and 32N grantees, your community may be home to larger organizations who are facilitating afterschool and summertime programs. Consider partnership building with:
Smaller, community-specific organizations with formal programs may include:
- Libraries
- Community centers
- Childcare centers
One final group to consider in your afterschool landscape puzzle is your own volunteer base. You may have volunteers who are teachers or youth development professionals with connections in your community. You may also have volunteers who are parents sending their children to other programs in the community. Talk to your volunteers about these potential connections. It is always easier to head into a partnership meeting with a person in common.
As you prepare to contact these potential partners, it’s important to use positive and productive partnership-building skills. Review the Partnership Playbook series as you start working on your partnership plan.
Stayed tuned for Part 3 in this series!
