This technical aid packet provides information on the value of after-school programs in addressing students' barriers to success. It focuses on school-community collaborations and on opportunities for after-school involvement offered at school sites. The six chapters focus on the following: (1) "After-School Programs as Part of a Broad, School Wide Component to Address Barriers to Learning and Promote Healthy Development"; (2) "The Need for and Potential Benefits of After-School Programs"; (3) "Focus and Examples" (for students: enrichment programs, academic enhancement, and recreation; for the community: day care, adult learning and enrichment, recreation, and community building); (4) "Key Components of Successful Programs" (collaborative planning and monitoring; leadership, management, staff training, and support; and ongoing evaluation to improve outcomes); (5) "From Projects to Community-Wide Programs"; and (6) "Sources for Information for Planning and Funding" (agencies, reports, references, Internet documents, and Web sites). Two appendixes present a schoolwide component to address barriers to learning and a sample of effective after-school programs. (SM)