Program Development
Number of unique resources found: 136
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21st Century Community Learning Centers
Description: This Web site outlines programs supported by the Presidental Administration to keep children safe, provide academic enrichment, and other recreational and enrichment opportunities, such as band, drama, art, and other cultural events for children; and to provide life-long learning opportunities for community members.
After a Disaster: A Lesson Plan for Youth Educators in T3 Format 
Description: Although originally entitled "After Hurricane Katrina," many of the tips used in this lesson plan can be adapted to fit other disasters or crises.
Objectives:
Develop empathy for youth displaced as a result of a hurricane or natural disaster
Practice decision-making skills you would use after a disaster
Identify feelings and actions encountered by children after a disaster or other life change including parents who have divorced. Children may be moved to new schools and new situations after such crises.
May be applicable for Gulf Oil Spill response or response to other catastrophic events such as flood, hurricane, earth quake, drought, wild fire, etc.
Description: Coming Up Taller Awards is an initiative with the Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities to showcase cultural excellence and enhance the availability of out-of-school arts and humanities programs to children. This page contains descriptions of after-school, summer and weekend arts and humanities programs for young people.
Description: The First Book National Book Bank is the first centralized system enabling publishers to donate large quantities of books to the non-profit sector for distribution to children from low-income families participating in community-based programs nationwide. Founded to utilize the large volume of children's books publishers generously offer First Book for donation each year, the First Book National Book Bank delivers books through First Book's established supply pipeline to children from low-income families across the country. The First Book National Book Bank serves as a distribution system to national and local non-profit organizations reaching the broadest spectrum of children in need. This site helps visitors get involved in distribution programs and promotes program growth.
Making the Match: Finding Funding for After School Education and Safety Programs
Description: Making the Match: Finding Funding for After School Education and Safety Programs is a user-friendly guide designed to assist California leaders in schools, school districts, and community-based organizations address the challenge of meeting the ASES Program matching requirement.
National Institute on Out-of-School Time
Description: The mission of the National Institute on Out-of-School Time is to ensure that all children, youth, and families have access to high quality programs, activities, and opportunities during non-school hours. NIOST believes that these experiences are essential to the healthy development of children and youth, who then can become effective and capable members of society. Our work bridges the worlds of research and practice.
Author: Weiss, Heather (5 more by this author); Priscilla M.D. Little
Description: "This paper looks at the role that foundations can play in building OST nonprofits' organizational capacity. In it, we suggest seven possible approaches to strengthening OST organizations, including methods to ensure that providers become stronger partners with other groups and more adept advocates for their field."
Understanding the state of knowledge of youth engagement financing and sustainability
Description: "The Annie E. Casey Foundation made a grant to The Finance Project (TFP) to conduct critical research and analysis to build the knowledge base on the variety, effects, and effectiveness of existing youth engagement approaches and to uncover what is known about the costs, financing, and sustainability of these approaches."
Description: Online newsletters for teens, kids, parents, and teachers.
Wonderful Low Cost Summer Activities for Kids and Families
Description: Here are a number of wonderful low cost summer activities for kids and families that help families keep their hard-earned money in their pockets. Ideas for low or no-cost activities with children are equally applicable to child care settings.
– Evaluation –
4-H Programs of Distinction Online Database
Author: 4-H National Headquarters,
Description: The 4-H Programs of Distinction are a collection of descriptions of high quality state and local 4-H youth development programs that: exhibit strong program development and contribute to the youth development body of knowledge, convey new ideas, materials, or innovative methods related to positive youth development, represent long-term program efforts and impact data over an extended period of time, and demonstrate changes in knowledge, behaviors, attitudes or aspirations of 4-H youth and adults. Candidate programs can be submitted at any time. Submission guidelines (PDF) outline the evaluation criteria, formatting requirements, and other specific instructions. A template will soon be developed for other mediums, including reports and media press kits.
A Guide to Assessing and Increasing School Engagement
Description: Students who are disengaged from school are at risk for many poor outcomes beyond poor academic achievement. They are at risk of skipping classes, sexual activity, substance use, and ultimately dropping out of school. This brief provides information on why school engagement matters, how out-of-school time programs can affect school engagement, and how to measure engagement. The brief includes specific measures of school engagement from three surveys and a list of additional resources.
Description: This 32-page issue of The Evaluation Exchange describes new developments in evaluating advocacy and policy change efforts that attempt to inform or influence public policy at the local, state, or federal levels.
Beyond the Head Count: Evaluating Family Involvement in Out-of-School Time
Author: Caspe, Margaret (1 more by this author); Priscilla Little; Flora Traub
Description: Harvard Family Research Project's (HFRP) Issues and Opportunities in Out-of-School Time Evaluation briefs are short, user-friendly documents that highlight current research and evaluation work in the out-of-school time field. This fourth brief, Beyond the Head Count: Evaluating Family Involvement in Out-of-School Time, offers an overview of how out-of-school time programs involve families and how programs can evaluate family involvement.
Description: Quality is fast becoming a policy priority in states and localities around the country. As a result, formal and informal networks of youth organizations are seeking and developing strategies to help them assess and improve performance. This report takes a close look at efforts underway in three networks and provides a preliminary framework for thinking about key questions when planning any kind of program quality improvement work in the youth-serving sector.
Cornell Healthy After-School Environment (CHASE) Self-Assessment Tool
Description: This after-school program self-assessment shows the ideal and range of practices and can then be used to make changes to work toward the ideal.
Data on Data: A Resource Guide to Engaging Families with Student Data
Description: The articles in this guide are grouped into three categories: (1) perspectives that offer lessons learned from family and community use of data, (2) program examples that illustrate what it takes to make data actionable for families, and (3) tools that help everyone understand how data can be analyzed.
Economic Impact of Communities in Schools
Description: In May 2012, Communities In Schools released the results of an economic impact study conducted by EMSI, one of the nation’s leading economic modeling firms. The purpose of the study was to quantify the return on investment of Communities In Schools’ 113 high school-serving affiliates in its network to taxpayers, businesses, and students.
Evaluation of 21st Century Community Learning Center Programs: A Guide for State Education Agencies
Author: Little, Priscilla (6 more by this author); Karen Horsch; Flora Traub
Description: The second in this series of research briefs on evaluation in out-of-school time, this brief offers an in-depth look at the new 21st Century Community Learning Center evaluation requirements (both performance measurement for accountability and program evaluation) and provides practical suggestions about how to implement state and local 21st CCLC evaluation. It includes a checklist of issues to consider when designing state and local 21st CCLC evaluation.
Family Involvement in Middle and High School Students' Education
Description: This brief, entitled, "Family Involvement in Middle and High School Students' Education," profiles evaluated programs to show what works to promote family involvement and student achievement during this critical developmental period. The brief also highlights how you can use this research to promote effective policies and practices.
Five Steps for Selecting an Evaluator: A Guide for Out-Of-School Time Practitioners
Author: Bronte-Tinkew, Jacinta (2 more by this author); Tiffany Allen, M.S.W.; Krystle Joyner
Description: This brief describes different types of evaluations and sets forth five steps for selecting an evaluator that can benefit a program in the long run. It also provides some tips on the cost of evaluations.
Highlights From the Out-of-School Time Database
Description: This second Research Update synthesizes findings from the profiles of 13 research and evaluation reports added to the database this month. It highlights innovations and developments in the field and looks at the important benefits that out-of-school time programs can provide to youth, their families, and their communities.
Improving Attendance and Retention in Out-of-School Time Programs
Description: The benefits of out-of-school time programs have been well documented, but few benefits can be gained without breaking through the barriers to participation that exist for children and youth today. This brief provides ideas for overcoming common barriers and outlines an action plan to measure attendance and retention in out-of-school programs.
Description: This brief identifies 43 programs that have somewhat to very sizable, statistically significant impacts on adolescent or young adult outcomes. The brief uses Child Trends' online database of experimentally evaluated social interventions for children and youth, Lifecourse Interventions to Nurture Kids Successfully (LINKS), to identify programs with manuals that have positive impacts on a range of outcomes, such as behavior problems, physical health, and education. The information on the program impacts, while somewhat technical, is useful for those interested in selecting or funding programs based on the magnitude of their impacts.
Learning From Logic Models in Out-of-School Time
Description: A logic model can be a powerful tool for illustrating a program's theory of change to program staff, partners, funders, and evaluators. Moreover, a completed logic model provides a point of reference against which progress towards achievement of desired outcomes can be measured on an ongoing basis, both through performance measurement and evaluation. This 2002 brief offers an in-depth review of logic models and how to construct them.
Measuring Youth Program Quality: A Guide to Assessment Tools
Description: This report compares the purpose, history, structure, methodology, content and technical properties of nine different program observation tools.
Out of School Time Program Evaluation: Tools for Action
Author: Geiger, Elke (1 more by this author); Brenda Britsch
Description: This resource manual provides evaluation tools for after school programs, including stakeholder surveys and focus group questions for student participants, parents, teachers (survey only), program staff, and program partners (survey only). Surveys for participants of adult Community Learning Center (CLC) classes are also included. Each survey is presented with suggestions for administration as well as with information about what each can assess. Focus group questions are presented with suggestions for how best to organize and conduct the groups. Finally, this manual suggests methods of analyzing and displaying data so that you can document accomplishments for present and future grantors as well as promote your program to the community. Examples of real outcomes are provided.
Outcome Evaluation: A Guide for Out-of-School Time Practitioners
Author: Allen, Tiffany; Jacinta Bronte-Tinkew
Description: This resource provides a basic review of outcome evaluations, discusses why they are important and when they are useful, and discusses ways they can be implemented in out-of-school time programs. It also highlights the experience of an out-of-school time program that has conducted an outcome evaluation and provides a list of helpful evaluation resources.
Process Evaluations: A Guide for Out-of-School Time Practitioners
Author: Bowie, Lillian; Jacinta Bronte-Tinkew, Ph.D.
Description: Program practitioners or participants may believe that a program is effective, but it is important to assess this objectively. Process evaluations focus on whether programs and activities are operating as planned. This brief describes why process evaluations are important, when they should be used, and how they can be a useful tool for out-of-school time program practitioners. The brief also focuses on guidelines and strategies for implementing process evaluations and provides some concrete examples that illustrate their usefulness. It concludes with a list of helpful resources for out-of-school time program practitioners.
Quasi-Experimental Evaluations
Author: Moore, Kristin (7 more by this author)
Description: Quasi-experimental studies also examine outcomes, but they do not involve randomly assigning participants to treatment and control groups. This type of study might compare outcomes for one group of youth before and after their involvement in a program, or compare outcomes for youth receiving program activities with outcomes for a similar group of youth not receiving program activities. This brief describes the varied types of quasi-experimental evaluations, what can be learned from such studies, and when it is appropriate to conduct them.
Random Assignment Evaluation Studies
Author: Moore, Kristin (7 more by this author); Allison Metz, Ph.D.
Description: Random assignment experimental studies involve using a "lottery" system to randomly assign participants to either a treatment group that receives program services or a control group that does not receive these services, and then comparing outcomes for the two groups. Only rigorous experimental studies can definitively establish that a program causes changes in outcomes for children and youth. This brief explains why these studies are important, how to conduct them, and addresses reservations that program providers might have.
Review of Out-of-School Time Program Quasi-Experimental and Experimental Evaluation Results
Author: Little, Priscilla (6 more by this author); Erin Harris
Description: This Snapshot provides an overview of what the quasi-experimental and experimental evaluations in the database reveal about the impact of out-of-school time programs on an array of academic, prevention, and youth development outcomes. It also includes a resource list of other out-of-school time evaluation reviews and related evaluation information.
Seven Activities for Enhancing the Replicability of Evidence-Based Practices
Author: Metz, Allison (1 more by this author); Lillian Bowie, M.A.; Karen Blase, Ph.D.
Description: This brief will define program replication, describe the critical role of "core components" in program replication, and outline seven activities that program developers and researchers can conduct to enhance the replicability of effective program models and facilitate their adoption by other organizations and programs.
Shared Features of High-Performing After-School Programs: A Follow-up to the TASC Evaluation
Author: Birmingham, Jennifer; Monica Mielke; Christina A. Russell; Ellen M. Pechman
Description: This study examined high-performing after-school projects funded by The After-
School Corporation (TASC), to determine what characteristics, if any, these projects shared.
The Harvard Family Research Project (Out-of-School Time Program Research and Evaluation Database)
Description: This Web site, from the Harvard Family Research Project, has compiled a database of evaluations of out-of-school programs to find out what type of program is most effective.
Description: Toolfind from the United Way is a free directory designed to help professionals in youth-serving programs find measurement tools for up to 11 youth outcome areas. Your time is valuable, so we have identified 46 tools to help you get started. All tools address one or more of the outcome areas, are tested, low-cost and have few restrictions. Tools included in this database address elementary, middle and/or high school students and youth, parent, staff and teacher respondents.
What is Evidenced-Based Practice (EBP)?
Description: Out-of-school time practitioners often become frustrated because of the time lag between discovering effective practices and incorporating them into “on the ground†practice in out-of-school time programs, which can take up to 20 years! The aim of this brief is to reduce that time lag by: 1) describing EBP for practitioners, and 2) providing valuable resources in an easily accessible format that can be used immediately.
Why Conduct a Program Evaluation? Five Reasons Why Evaluation Can Help an Out-Of-School Time Program
Author: Metz, Allison (1 more by this author)
Description: Why Conduct a Program Evaluation? Five Reasons Why Evaluation Can Help an Out-Of-School Time Program
Part 1 in a Series on Practical Evaluation Methods
Allison J. R. Metz, Ph.D.
Child Trends
“In this brief, we define program evaluation, address common concerns program managers and practitioners have regarding evaluation, and outline five major reasons why conducting a program evaluation can benefit an out-of-school time program.â€
Why, When, and How to Use Evaluation: Experts Speak Out
Author: Weiss, Heather (5 more by this author); Priscilla Little
Description: The fifth in this series of research briefs on evaluation in out-of-school time, this brief offers expert commentary on the implications of the first-year report of the national evaluation of the 21st Century Communty Learning Centers program for future evaluation and research.
Youth Involvement in Evaluation and Research
Author: Horsch, Karen; Priscilla M. D. Little; Leslie Goodyear; Erin Harris; Jennifer Chase Smith
Description: The first in this series of research briefs on evaluation in out-of-school time, this brief draws on information collected from focus group interviews with representatives of 14 programs that are involving youth in their evaluation and research efforts. It examines the elements of successful youth involved research projects and offers short profiles of the 14 organizations included in the study.
– General Information –
Building, Engaging, and Supporting Family and Parental Involvement in Out-of-School Time Programs
Description: This brief describes family involvement and why it matters for out-of-school time programs. It also examines some of the issues that program staff face when attempting to engage parents, and offers suggestions for how to encourage family and parental involvement.
Coming in From the Shadows: Overrepresented Groups Among Homeless Youth
Description: This article examines overrepresented groups among homeless youth.
Effectiveness Matters: Using Evidence-based Programs
Author: Perkins, Daniel (17 more by this author)
Description: The objective of this presentation is to help participants understand what evidence-based programs are, where you can find them, how to sustain them, and maintaining their quality. Specific issues exploredinclude: the differences among effective, promising and evidence-based programs, chosing an evidence-based program, and strategies to increase the likelihood of success and long-term sustainability. The presentation also looked at recommended curricula and programs reviewed by the National 4-H Healthy Living Mission Mandate Taskforce.
Description: Understanding key financing issues, such as the cost of programs and trends in available funding sources, is essential to the success of initiatives that seek to expand positive opportunities for youth outside the school day. The Finance Project offers tools that are designed to help you answer questions like: "How can my program access Title 1, CCDF or another specific funding source?" and "How can our program find funding for facilities, transportation or another need?"
Description: "This commentary takes readers on a cross-country tour of after-school innovation – from northern and southern California to Chicago, New York and New Hampshire. In On the Ground we describe two very different school-based models in California. In Research Update we summarize lessons from recent evaluations of After School Matters in Chicago and the OST Initiative in New York City and identify studies to watch for. In Voices from the Field we talk with leaders from New Hampshire where an ambitious high school redesign effort is building upon successful high school after-school programs."
Out-of-School Time Bibliography
Description: This bibliography contains citations for all the out-of-school time (OST) program evaluations and research studies that Harvard Family Research Project is currently tracking.
Right on the Money: Youth-serving Agencies Raise Money on Groupon
Description: This article describes how some youth organizations have been able to raise money through Groupon’s G-Team program.
U.S. Department of Justice Funding Opportunities for Afterschool
Author: Dobbins, Dionne
Description: This Funding Note provides an overview of funding opportunities at the
Department of Justice that may support afterschool, as well as examples of
programs currently accessing these funds and tips for programs interested in
doing so. Funding sources and amounts may vary in coming years given
changing funding prioities and appropriations.
When Giving Online is Not Ideal
Description: Fundraisers dream about the new frontier of online giving as a potential golden ticket for reaching younger or more tech-savvy donors. Driving everyone to give online, in monthly installments, is all the rage. But what happens when a donor wants to give $1000 or more? Is there potential negative organizational impact in accepting large gifts online?
Year-round learning: Linking school, after school and summer learning to support student success
Description: This research brief examines the efforts of initiatives that are approaching learning time in new ways and bringing community resources together to provide year-round learning environments.
Youth Homelessness in Today’s Tough Economy
Description: This article covers how nonprofit organizations can count the number of homeless youth in their communities and best practices in serving them.
– Other Resources –
Beyond academic measures: The value of measuring other aspects of thriving
Author: Smith, Chris; Elizabeth Devaney
Description: This symposium focuses on how to assess important non-academic outcomes such as the impact of programs on youths' engagement in their own learning, their socio-emotional development, and whether they are thriving, contributing, and able to navigate effectively. Our speakers examine how systems in Boston and Providence have studied such outcomes while engaging people in Minnesota who are thinking about these issues.
This event is presented in cooperation with St. Paul’s new Sprockets network.
Engaging older youth in out-of-school time: Applying research to practice
Author: Little, Priscilla (6 more by this author)
Description: This presentation describes promising research-based practices in working with middle and high school youth in out-of-school time (OST) programs, examining what programs can do to support participation, engagement, and positive outcomes. Given the recent growth of city-and state-level OST systems, the presentation also includes a discussion of the potential role of OST systems in supporting effective youth programming.
Ensuring Quality Across Out-of-School Programs and Systems
Author: Weiss, Heather (5 more by this author)
Description: What does it take to implement quality programming? It's often related to organizational mission, structure, resource base and geographical location. Successful approaches to ensuring program quality frequently rely on strategically aligning unique features of respective programs and delivery systems to achieve quality results.
Hot Topic: Expanding Learning Opportunities
Author: Reilly, Jackie (8 more by this author)
Description: There is a movement among afterschool programs and their supporters that you may be interested in. "Expanded learning opportunities" is a means to make the most of the out-of-school-time for youth of all ages. Positive, engaged learning in afterschool has shown tremendous potential to provide rich, hands-on learning experiences and make an impact on youth skills, abilities and success in school and life. Learn more at the links provided including The Expanded Learning & Afterschool Project: Affordable, Sustainable Approaches Powered by School-Community Partnerships.
In Pursuit of Effective Best Practices for Out-of-School Time
Author: Granger, Robert (1 more by this author)
Description: Why do some out-of-school programs improve youth outcomes while others do not? What practices seem to make a difference? What are the implications for improving program quality? Bob Granger discusses what is known about these questions, drawing on research in K-12 education, mentoring, and after-school.
Military Child Education Coalition
Description: The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, world-wide organization. A model of positive leadership and advocacy, the MCEC’s work is focused on ensuring quality educational opportunities for all military-connected children affected by mobility, family separation, and transition. The MCEC performs research, develops resources, conducts professional institutes and conferences, and publishes resources for all constituencies.
More Than Safe Spaces: Adolescent Development and Relationship Building in After-School Settings
Author: Deutsch, Nancy
Description: More than just keeping kids safe during the 3-6 pm "risk hours," after-school programs can be vibrant settings that promote positive youth development. Yet much research has focused on measuring specific outcomes, such as academic achievement or risky behaviors.
This 90-minute video presentation focuses on research that looks in-depth at what happens inside after-school programs.
MySpace, Facebook, and Youth: What Do Social Network Sites Have to Offer Youth Development?
Author: Greenhow, Christine (1 more by this author)
Description: Millions of youth spend time everyday learning, communicating and connecting in online social network sites such as MySpace or Facebook. Despite the media's mostly negative portrayal of youth activities in these spaces, social network sites can have positive and educational benefits. However, much of the research on this topic is still emerging or has taken place in fields other than education. This 90-minute video presentation focuses on emerging research that looks in-depth at youth activities, perceptions, and experiences in online social network sites and considers their implications for the field of youth development/youth education. Emphasis is placed on youth activities and relationships in these online spaces.
Right on the Money: 'Crowdfunding' for Youth-Serving Organizations--Indiegogo vs. Kickstarter
Description: Tips for fundraising via two online sites.
Right on the Money: Lessons in Social Media Fundraising
Description: This article discusses using social media for fundraising.
Supports, Modifications, and Accommodations for Students
Description: A National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities page with resources about supports, modifications, and accommodations for students.
– Professional Development –
Bullying Prevention In Out-of-School-Time Programs
Description: This webinar was sponsored by the CYFERnet SchoolAge Editorial Board n January 2013. Afterschool and out-of-school program staff and administrators, youth workers, trainers of afterschool staff, home school parents and others will learn about bullying and resources for bullying prevention use in out-of-school-time programs. The latest research and a resource guide will be presented. Prevention programs and other resources will be reviewed as well as information on current bullying statistics and strategies for prevent ion and intervention. Out-of-school-time programs can teach children and staff skills to support everyone in your program.
Growing the Next Generation of Youth Work Professionals: Workforce Opportunities and Challenges
Author: Yohalem, Nicole (2 more by this author); David Moore; Karen Pittman
Description: In this research report, the Forum for Youth Investment provides a detailed and nuanced description of youth work professionals, based on a survey of youth workers and program directors in eight cities and focus groups conducted among youth workers. The data helps provide the most complete description available of this workforce, and suggests policy and practice strategies that could strengthen the field.
Partnering Strategically With Your LEA: A Recipe for Success
Description: Archived Connect Session. This webinar was sponsored by the CYFERnet School Age Editorial Board and recorded May 2012. Learn how your colleagues have collaborated with their local education agency (LEA). This session highlights K-12 programming as it is seen in the classroom and out of the classroom. County level experiences are shared from both an urban, military, tribal and rural perspective. This is a great beginning workshop to start or expand your focus in K-12 programming, using the shared insights of the task and how to manage it.
STEM-rich learning in Out-of-School-Time
Description: This archived webinar was sponsored by the CYFERnet SchoolAge Editorial Board in March 2013. Do you offer STEM learning activities in your out-of-school-time program? Or are you nervous about providing these activities? Does your staff know how to provide STEM-rich learning? Do you want to provide STEM-rich learning opportunities in your program or train your staff to provide STEM-rich learning opportunities? This webinar will focus on how to train staff, key components of STEM-rich learning and STEM curricula to use in out-of-school-time programs.
Youth Centers: Operation & Development Issues
Author: Fleming, Michael
Description: The focus of this paper is to highlight some of the issues involved in developing and operating a youth center. Information for the report was gathered through a literature review of material related to youth centers and/or youth activities and by interviewing a number of program directors involved in youth centers in the states of Wisconsin and Connecticut.
– Programming Resource –
, Assessing Peer Relations: A Guide for Out-of-School Time Program Practitioners
Description: This brief describes factors that promote positive peer relations; provides information about easy-to-use measures for assessing peer relations (both positive and problematic); and lists several resources for promoting positive peer relations in childhood and adolescence.
4-H Cooperative Curriculum System
Description: 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System is the nationwide curriculum development system of the Cooperative Extension Service. Its mission is to provide high quality experientially based curriculum products to 4-H and other non-formal youth development organizations. Over 150 curriculum products are currently available.
4-H Programs of Distinction Online Database
Author: 4-H National Headquarters,
Description: The 4-H Programs of Distinction are a collection of descriptions of high quality state and local 4-H youth development programs that: exhibit strong program development and contribute to the youth development body of knowledge, convey new ideas, materials, or innovative methods related to positive youth development, represent long-term program efforts and impact data over an extended period of time, and demonstrate changes in knowledge, behaviors, attitudes or aspirations of 4-H youth and adults. Candidate programs can be submitted at any time. Submission guidelines (PDF) outline the evaluation criteria, formatting requirements, and other specific instructions. A template will soon be developed for other mediums, including reports and media press kits.
A Few Good Men: A Guys’ Advisory Board Courts Male Mentors
Description: This article contains advice on how to form an advisory board of men to improve recruitment of male volunteers for programs.
A Good Time: After-School Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy
Author: Manlove, Jennifer (3 more by this author); Krystal McKinney; Kerry Franzetta; Angela Romano Papillo, M.A.; Elizabeth Terry-Humen, M.P.P.
Description: A Good Time provides detailed descriptions of after-school programs that have been shown through careful research to have a positive impact on adolescent sexual behavior.
A Guide to Assessing and Increasing School Engagement
Description: Students who are disengaged from school are at risk for many poor outcomes beyond poor academic achievement. They are at risk of skipping classes, sexual activity, substance use, and ultimately dropping out of school. This brief provides information on why school engagement matters, how out-of-school time programs can affect school engagement, and how to measure engagement. The brief includes specific measures of school engagement from three surveys and a list of additional resources.
Author: Abdul-Alim , Jamal
Description: This paper reviews some of the most recent research on what makes an effective youth development program, and seeks to guide decision-makers on where to invest limited resources. It highlights various evidence-based programs around the country, stressing the importance of strategically using data on outcomes and results to drive funding decisions. It also stresses the importance of taking a universal approach toward youth development as opposed to dealing with single issues, such as teenage pregnancy or drug abuse. 48 Pages.
Description: A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family, and Community Connections on Student Achievement is a synthesis of 51 studies about the impact of family and community involvement on student achievement and effective strategies to connect schools, families, and community.
A Practitioner's Guide: Building and Managing Quality Afterschool Programs
Description: A Practitioner's Guide: Building and Managing Quality Afterschool Programs shares practices that can help extended-learning professionals cover it all—great programming, terrific staff, positive relationships, and plenty of resources to lead and sustain successful afterschool programs. The practices are organized into the following four focus areas: program organization; academic programming practices; supportive relationships in afterschool; and, achieving program outcomes.
After-School Programs and Addressing Barriers to Learning
Description: “The focus of this document is on opportunities for after-school involvement offered at school sites. However, it should be evident that many of the ideas covered are useful for planning before-school programs, improving recess and lunch periods, thinking about schools as sites for weekend and holiday/vacation community hubs to enrich learning opportunities and provide recreation in a safe environment.â€
Afterschool Advantage: Powerful New Learning Opportunities
Description: This compilation of strategies is a guide for building quality afterschool programs, covering a range of issues including arts, technology and entrepreneurship.
Description: Information about federal resources that support children and youth during after school hours.
Description: This brief discusses the signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug use and provides recommendations to assess substance use among youth in your program.
Description: This brief discusses diet, exercise, body image, and weight and also provides information for practitioners on how to measure these factors among youth in their program.
Assessing the Mental Health of Adolescents: A Guide for Out-Of-School Time Program Practitioners
Description: This brief summarizes the signs and symptoms of depression, suicide risk, and anxiety disorders, and suggests research questions that can help screen or monitor mental health issues. It also provides resources for out-of-school time program practitioners on these topics.
Description: This brief "provides information on how to assess self-concept among out-of-school program participants. It also suggests specific strategies that program providers can employ to improve an adolescent's self-concept. The brief includes tools for measuring adolescent self-concept and a list of additional resources."
Baby Boomers and Beyond: An Untapped Resource for Volunteers in Out-Of-School Time Programs
Description: How many baby boomers could potentially volunteer in programs serving at-risk children and youth? How large is the need for volunteers?
Building Systems-Level Partnerships
Author: Burkhauser, Mary; Allison J. R. Metz
Description: Partnerships among out-of-school time programs, schools, and the community have been recognized as a feature of high-performing programs. In addition, systems-level partnerships can play critical roles when programs decide to implement new evidence-based practices or activities. This brief links research findings to effective strategies for building systems-level partnerships in out-of-school time programs.
Author: Schmitz, Heather
Description: A two-day camping experience that brings together youth / adult partnerships, reduces AODA behaviors, and teaches youth leadership skills? I’m sure you’re thinking that this can’t be possible. Think again. Learn how a group of community volunteers called the Rusk County Youth Coalition joined forces with three local school districts to develop a camp for low income youth at risk, Camp TLC (Teen Leadership Camp).
Creating Safe Sapce for GLBTQ Youth: A Tool Kit
Description: This toolkit provides tips and strategies for youth professionals to create safe space for GLBTQ youth within an program/organization along with lesson plans to build allies for GLBTQ youth among the program participants.
Author: Phelps, Lisa (1 more by this author); Judith A. Graham
Description: This publication focuses on what educators can do to create safe learning spaces for all youth. It provides an overview of the developmental model for sexual identity, links to resources and definitions of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.
Data-Driven Decision Making in Out-Of-School Time Programs
Author: Bandy, Tawana (1 more by this author); Allison J. R. Metz; Mary Burkhauser
Description: The use of high-quality data facilitates program management, reduces reliance on anecdotal information, and ensures that data are available for decision-making purposes. Both research and program experience have shown that decision-support data systems are effective tools for gathering high-quality data. This brief offers recommendations and action steps to support the use of high-quality data to inform the implementation of evidence-based practices.
Enhancing Service through Effective School -Community Collaboration
Description: This issue of PrACTice Matters outlines some of challenges to and strategies for collaboration and synergy between school and community groups to enhance positive youth outcomes.
Enhancing Youth Resilience through Positive Sibling Relations: A Powerful Influence
Author: Feinberg, Mark; Susan McHale
Description: Mark Feinberg and Susan McHale, Sibling relationships are often neglected, but research indicates that siblings are powerful influences on children's well-being (self-esteem, depression), academic performance, and behavior problems (aggression, delinquency, substance use). Sibling support can help children weather stress and difficulties in other areas of life. This presentation introduces a framework for understanding sibling relations and selected practical tools from a sibling relationship enhancement program.
Author: Banach, Mary; Paula J. Gregory
Description: This article offers a "road map" to enable program administrators, evaluators, and staff to consider and anticipate what is needed for effective evolution of a program. The model examines and elucidates aspects of joint and individual decision-making necessitated at various stages of program development on the "journey" towards sustainability. Tasks, core questions, skills, and feedback loops are delineated at each stage corresponding to a 5-year federal grant for children, youth and families at-risk (CYFAR) program. These stages can be used as a guide for effective practice regardless of the source or duration of initial project funding.
Exergames: A New Look at Physical Fitness
Author: Wittman, (1 more by this author); Maureen Toomey; Mauri Knott ; Veronica Gilbert
Description: Grace Wittman, Veronica Gilbert, Mauri Knott and Maureen Toomey, University of Idaho
The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPyramid recommend that children get 60 minutes of moderate level exercise each day. New data indicate that exergames can be used as an option for youth to attain a moderate level of exercise. Learn how to incorporate exergames into after-school programs at a group level or the individual level.
Harnessing Technology in Out-of-School Time Settings
Description: This "Snapshot," "Harnessing Technology in Out-of-School Time Settings," provides an overview of out-of-school time (OST) programs that use technology. It examines the diverse ways in which these programs utilize technology, how they are being evaluated, the outcomes associated with participation in these programs, and common implementation challenges and successes.
Helping Youth Succeed Through Out-of-School Programs
Description: “For the past two years, the American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF) has gathered information on OST programs around the United States by conducting a literature review, visiting communities, and inviting national experts and innovative program leaders to share their knowledge of such programs.†This report shares the findings of the literature review, explores emerging practices and concludes with recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
High Stakes, High Rewards: Starting the 4-H LIFE Program with Children of Offenders Workshop
Author: Gillespie, Tammy (1 more by this author)
Description: This workshop includes two prison visit simulations. There are many meaningful rewards in implementing the 4-H LIFE parent education and 4-H activities with families impacted by parental incarceration.
Housing and Outreach Strategies for Rural Youth: Best Practices from the Rural Youth Survey
Description: This brief presents the results of a survey of rural youth programs.
How Program Administrators Can Support Out-Of-School Time Staff
Author: Collins, Ashleigh; Allison J. R. Metz
Description: Research on out-of-school time programs has found that effective program managers--referred to as facilitative administrators--promote high-quality implementation in multiple ways: by providing organizational leadership; selecting program staff; ensuring that staff receive training and supervision; and identifying and addressing implementation problems. This brief presents effective strategies for facilitative administration in out-of-school time programs. Ashleigh Collins, M.A., and Allison J. R. Metz, Ph.D.
Improving Family and Community Engagement Through Sharing Data
Description: A briefing paper by the Southeast Comprehensive Center outlines the significance of family and community engagement, examines considerations and recommendations for sharing data with stakeholders, and provides related resources.
Introduction to "Guidelines for Healthy Food and Beverages"
Author: Davis-Manigaulte, Jackie (1 more by this author)
Description: This narrated presentation introduces the "Guidelines for Healthy Food and Beverages," a guide for youth program providers. Jackie Davis-Manigaulte, Cornell University Cooperative Extension of New York City, discusses obesity as well as the development and contents of the guide.
Introduction to "Guidelines for Healthy Food and Beverages"
Author: Davis-Manigaulte, Jackie (1 more by this author)
Description: Developed for youth-serving program providers funded by the NYS Department of Health, these guidelines give practical ideas for offering healthy food choices, raising awareness about nutrition, and engaging participants in menu planning and food prep.
Learning From Logic Models in Out-of-School Time
Description: A logic model can be a powerful tool for illustrating a program's theory of change to program staff, partners, funders, and evaluators. Moreover, a completed logic model provides a point of reference against which progress towards achievement of desired outcomes can be measured on an ongoing basis, both through performance measurement and evaluation. This 2002 brief offers an in-depth review of logic models and how to construct them.
Logged In: Using Technology to Engage Families in Children’s Education
Description: Based on research of promising practices in school districts and communities, the Harvard Family Research Project identifies a variety of technological innovations in this brief, which have the potential to boost key dimensions of family engagement: positive parent–child interactions, home–school communication, and parent responsibility for a child’s learning. Although the digital divide continues to be a challenge, schools and communities that are committed to using technology for family engagement are working to address accessibilty and training issues.
Author: Bandy, Tawana (1 more by this author); Kristin A. Moore
Description: This Child Trends brief finds that youth who have not participated in out-of-school time programs are significantly more likely than are their participating peers to live in an unsupportive neighborhood; to spend more than two hours a day watching TV or playing video games; and to have parents who are in poor health, who don't exercise, and who have less than a high school education. The brief identifies individual and background factors that influence non-participation.
Participation Over Time: Keeping Youth Engaged from Middle School to High School
Description: The article sheds light on how a set of school- and community-based programs with high rates of participation address adolescents' developmental needs and how these programs change their strategies to support adolescents over time.
People, Places and Possibilities: Integrating Mentoring and After-School
Description: A once-a-week adult-student mentoring meeting does not an after-school program make, according to this brief from the Forum for Youth Investment. But perhaps, with a little help, it could. The question is not which makes more sense, mentoring or after-school, but how can we utilize both strategies to increase the likelihood that young people have the supports they need to thrive.
Promising Practice from the Panorama Teen and Family Resource Center
Description: The goals of the Panorama Teen and Family Resource Center include developing leadership skills through their Youth Governance Council and their numerous community service activities and increasing academic skills, especially in math and language, with their tutoring program.
Author: Ripberger, Chad
Description: Participants will learn about the newly developed Promising Practices Guide for 4-H Science in Urban Communities, created as part of the three-year National 4-H Science in Urban Communities initiative. Authors and featured 4-H professionals will showcase promising practices in the areas of partnerships, resource development, staffing, and recognition for 4-H Science programming for underserved/underrepresented urban youth.
Quality Time After School In Brief
Description: "Drawing on extensive qualitative and quantitative data collected from five Philadelphia-based Beacon Centers, our study identifies characteristics of after-school activities that are linked to youth engagement and learning across a rich diversity of out-of-school-time activity areas. The brief explores the importance of good group management and positive adult support of learning, providing program directors and funders with guidance about improving program quality and fostering engagement and learning in after-school programs."
Description: This publication addresses how to recruit and retain older youth in out-of-school programs. The authors suggest that making programs relevant leads to better recruitment and retention. The report also argues that relevance should occur at both the surface level - language used, the way materials are presented, location of programs - and the deep structural level - addresses cultural, social, and historical factors that influence the participants' behavior.
Resources for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth: Select Organizations, Web Sites, Videos
Description: This page on the Advocates for Youth website provides a comprehensive list of resources for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth.
Safe Schools Coalition-About ‘GLBTQ’ and GLBTQ Youth
Description: This site from Safe School Coalition provides definitions of GLBTQ terms as well as links to resources about working with GLBTQ youth.
Seeing is Believing: Promising Practices for How School Districts Promote Family Engagement
Description: This brief describes family engagement strategies that have been successful in several school districts around the country.
Speak Out for Military Kids - Successful Retreats
Author: Runke, Amber (1 more by this author); Madeson Walgenbach; Laura Pettersen; Kia Harries
Description: The Minnesota Speak Out for Military Kids Team has had great success in holding SOMK Retreats. Come to this workshop to receive copies of promotional materials and schedules as well as tips and best practices for what has worked in Minnesota. Also hear from Wisconsin adults and teens about their experience implementing SOMK Retreats
Strengthening Out-Of-School Programs in Rural Communities
Description: A new Child Trends brief, Strategies for Improving Out-of-School Programs in Rural Communities, highlights the challenges faced by rural programs and suggests several strategies that can strengthen them.
The brief proposes five key strategies for obtaining resources for rural out-of-school programs:
• Build coalitions to help with transportation. Improving rural out-of-school time transportation involves multiple efforts--obtaining funds, building coalitions with stakeholders (such as parents, schools, community leaders, and funders), and sharing resources like a van or bus.
• Identify possible funding sources. Public service organizations, local private foundations, corporations, and individual contributors can all serve as potential funding sources for rural out-of-school programs.
• Increase the number of trained staff members. Programs can recruit public school teachers and retirees and provide staff training.
• Use existing volunteer organizations to recruit staff. Programs can also use volunteers and work-study employees to help participants with homework, tutoring, or reading.
• Maximize resources. Local schools and community colleges can offer space, transportation, tutoring materials, and technological expertise and equipment.
The brief also includes advice from the director of a successful rural out-of-school program and a list of additional resources.
Sustaining Effective Youth Programs by Building Organizational Capacity
Author: Dotterweich, Jutta (7 more by this author)
Description: CYFAR 2009 workshop on sustaining effective youth programs. Relies on the principles of positive youth development and strategies to involve youth in key roles in the community. This presentation illustrates the steps to building organizational capacity needed to help sustain youth programs.
Teen Theme Camps with a Mission
Author: Jadin, Tony; Del Mucci
Description: Why do teams achieve more than individuals? Understanding program mechanics to get the most out of your camp and challenge youth to better understand themselves and each other. Infuse your program with teambuilding and leadership opportunities, outdoor skills development, and the excitement of planning to overcome a set of obstacles while accomplishing a group mission.
Ten Tips for Parents of a Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender Child
Author: Maurer, Lisa
Description: A list of tips for parents of a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender youth (GLBT)
Ten Ways to Promote Educational Achievement and Attainment Beyond the Classroom
Author: Boccanfuso, Christopher; Camille Whitney, B.A.; Kristin A. Moore, Ph.D.
Description: This Child Trends brief identifies 10 actionable goals involving non-school factors that can affect educational outcomes.
The Achieving Excellence and Innovation in Family, School, and Community Engagement webinar series
Description: The Achieving Excellence and Innovation in Family, School, and Community Engagement webinar series provides information on research, best practices, and innovations in family, school, and community engagement. Topics include school transformation and making student and school data accessible and meaningful to families.
The Harvard Family Research Project (Out-of-School Time Program Research and Evaluation Database)
Description: This Web site, from the Harvard Family Research Project, has compiled a database of evaluations of out-of-school programs to find out what type of program is most effective.
The Untold, Continuing (and Rest of the) Story about the CITY Project
Author: Giarratano, Vicki; Kelly Mabee; Jackie Davis-Manigaulte ; Michele Luc; June P. Mead
Description: Through poetry, music, magazines and videos, learn how the CITY Project transformed teens living in poverty into college students with bright futures. See how the wisdom of an ancient Chinese philosopher guided the program: “Go to the people. Live with them. Learn from them. Love them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have. But of the best leaders, when the job is done, the task accomplished, the people will say, ‘We have done it ourselves’.”
Tools of the Trade II: Creating Science-Rich Learning Opportunities
Description: This is an archived web-based training produced by the CYFERnet Teen Editorial Board in September 2009. Tools of the Trade II is a staff-development module that uses a "train-the-trainer" approach to deliver a comprehensive 21-hour training for afterschool program frontline staff and youth workers on incorporating science, engineering and technology (SET) into afterschool programming. Using a hands-on, interactive skill-building approach, it provides tools drawn from best practices to help afterschool staff enhance communication, management and educational delivery of afterschool programs.
Using Incentives to Increase Participation in Out-Of-School Time Programs
Description: This Child Trends brief provides key strategies for implementing a successful incentive program.
Author: Kahn, Jordan (1 more by this author); Kristin A. Moore, Ph.D.
Description: This Child Trends fact sheet synthesizes the findings from 66 rigorous evaluations of programs with a home visiting component. Overall, 32 programs had positive impacts on at least one child outcome, 23 had mixed reviews, and 11 were not proven to work. For programs serving adolescents (ages 12-17), those that use trained non-professionals as visitors and that last one year or longer showed positive impacts.
Why Teens are Not Involved in Out-of-School Time Programs: The Youth Perspective
Author: Terzian, Mary (1 more by this author); Kassim Mbwana; Lindsay Giesen
Description: Youth who are not involved with out-of-school time programs identify varied barriers to participation, ranging from programs that are located in unsafe or unfamiliar neighborhoods to program participation being perceived in a negative light by parents and/or peers. This brief presents findings from a recent Child Trends youth roundtable discussion. Youth participants also suggested program improvement strategies, such as teaching practical skills, using technology for recruitment, offering a variety of activities, and hiring skilled staff members who treat youth with respect.
Youth Centers: Operation & Development Issues
Author: Fleming, Michael
Description: The focus of this paper is to highlight some of the issues involved in developing and operating a youth center. Information for the report was gathered through a literature review of material related to youth centers and/or youth activities and by interviewing a number of program directors involved in youth centers in the states of Wisconsin and Connecticut.
Youth Governance Can Help Out-Of-School Time Programs Involve At-Risk Youth
Description: This Child Trends brief discusses the benefits of involving at-risk youth in out-of-school time program governance.
– Research –
4-H Programs of Distinction Online Database
Author: 4-H National Headquarters,
Description: The 4-H Programs of Distinction are a collection of descriptions of high quality state and local 4-H youth development programs that: exhibit strong program development and contribute to the youth development body of knowledge, convey new ideas, materials, or innovative methods related to positive youth development, represent long-term program efforts and impact data over an extended period of time, and demonstrate changes in knowledge, behaviors, attitudes or aspirations of 4-H youth and adults. Candidate programs can be submitted at any time. Submission guidelines (PDF) outline the evaluation criteria, formatting requirements, and other specific instructions. A template will soon be developed for other mediums, including reports and media press kits.
Author: Duffett, Ann; Jean Johnson
Description: All work and No Play discusses what teens and parents want out of out-of-school time programs. It also addresses how low income and minority families view the topic, which is different than that of middle income families.
Diversity: School, Family, and Community Connections
Description: This review of the research is the third in a series of reports to help local school, community, and family leaders obtain useful research-based information about key educational issues. This synthesis focuses specifically on three categories: race or ethnicity, culture (including language), and socioeconomic status. The report also explores barriers to involvement for minority and low-income families, strategies that have been used to address those barriers, and recommendations that local educational leaders can adapt to address their specific needs.
Author: Huebner, Angela (4 more by this author); Heather Williams
Description: Video of research keynote presentation from the 2008 CYFAR Conference, discusses research on the impact of parental deployment on teens and the implications for service providers working with youth in military families.
Faith-Based Institutions and High-Risk Youth
Author: Trulear, Harold
Description: Many of the highest-risk youth in poor communities are not reached by traditional youth programs, but are served by churches and other faith-based institutions that are both well-established and seriously concerned about the welfare of these vulnerable youth and their families. This report, the first in a series from P/PV's National Faith-Based Initiative for High-Risk Youth, provides an initial overview of strategies employed by faith-based institutions in 11 cities, including lessons learned about the distinct contributions of faith-based institutions to the work of civil society, and the challenges of building partnerships between faith-based groups and other institutions--law enforcement and juvenile justice agencies, foundations and philanthropy, local government and community organizations.
Guide to Evidence and Innovation
Description: Are you struggling with how to select and implement evidence-based strategies? The Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs has launched a new website, A Guide to Evidence and Innovation, which can help. Find evidence-based program directories, hear from experts in the field, learn more about the stages of implementation, and find relevant resources on federal tiered initiatives related to youth, a framework of evidence standards that could be used across agencies, and additional information for communities to select, implement, sustain, and evaluate evidence-based programs for children and youth.
Out-of-School Time Policy Commentary #1: Out-of-School Research Meets After-School Policy
Author: Pittman, Karen (6 more by this author); Alicia Wilson-Ahlstrom; Nicole Yohalem
Description: The past five years have seen a ground swell in public attention and public policy aimed at increasing the availability of after-school programs for children and young teens during the "risk" hours when safety, supervision and homework are of top concern. Popularly called "after-school," these programs represent a new and growing variation on the broader group of out-of-school time programs and opportunities that have been around for decades--programs ranging from youth orchestras to soccer leagues that reach children and older teens. What does research tell us about after-school programs? What outcomes are realistic? What practices are essential? What changes are measurable? How does the call for scientifically-based research fit into the picture? In the first of a series of policy briefs focused on out-of-school time issues, Deborah Vandell, a leading researcher on after-school programs, gives a walking tour of the research. Kerry Mazzoni, California Secretary of Education, shares her perspectives on how research influences policy.
Positive Strategies for Challenging Behaviors
Description: In this narrated presentation, Pardeice Powell McGoy, Cornell Cooperative Extension of New York City, discusses how youth workers can manage inappropriate behaviors in youth development settings. (18 minutes)
Poverty and Potential: Out of School Factors and School Success
Author: Berliner, David
Description: This brief details six out-of-school factors common among the poor that significantly affect the health and learning opportunities of children, and accordingly limit what schools can accomplish on their own.
Research Update 5: STEM Out-of-School Time Programs for Girls
Description: Out-of-school time (OST) programs that focus on girls’ involvement in STEM can play an essential role in improving female representation in these traditionally male-dominated fields. OST programs offer girls a non-threatening and non-academic environment for hands-on learning that is collaborative, informal, and personal. However, barriers to quality implementation and outcome-based evaluation present challenges for STEM programs serving girls. This Research Update highlights findings from the evaluations and research studies in the OST Database that focus on STEM programs for girls.
Research Update 7: Out-of-School Time Programs for Older Youth
Description: This Research Update addresses the benefits, challenges, and successful strategies of OST programs for older youth, based on data from eight recent evaluations and research studies.
Description: This PowerPoint presentation describes effective program implementation.
Description: This PowerPoint presentation describes effective program implementation.
The Harvard Family Research Project (Out-of-School Time Program Research and Evaluation Database)
Description: This Web site, from the Harvard Family Research Project, has compiled a database of evaluations of out-of-school programs to find out what type of program is most effective.
Description: Harvard Family Research Project (HFRP) is conducting a research study on the factors associated with whether children and youth participate in out-of-school time (OST) programs and activities. This research brief distills findings from the first phase of the study, which examines demographic differences in youth's OST participation rates. It first provides information on current demographic differences in OST participation rates, and then looks at whether there is any evidence that such differences have changed in recent years. The brief concludes with implications for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers.