Examines after-school programs, focusing on those serving low-income children. Provides a brief history and current profile of this field of services, discusses major tensions in and challenges facing the field, and offers recommendations. Advocates keeping expectations of after-school programs for low-income children commensurate with both their…

If the world of after-school programs is to be made more coherent, that process will occur mostly (and is being attempted mostly) at the city level. This brief document analyzes the tasks, questions, and challenges associated with what can be described as system-building in the after-school field, focusing on city level efforts. [This report was…

Noting that after-school programs are becoming an important developmental support for low- and moderate-income families and their children, this book describes the historical development of these programs, their current status, and critical issues facing after-school programs. Divided into historical eras, the book examines: (1) the evolution of…

The growing demands for afterschool programming for children is accompanied by an increasing understanding of the importance of quality care and activities to children's healthy development. Among the many challenges faced by the growing number of out-of-school time initiatives are developing financing plans and finding funding that will support…

The University of Chicago's Chapin Hall Center for Children conducted an evaluation of the first phase (1995-1998) of the MOST (Making the Most of Out-of-School Time) Initiative of the Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds. The objectives of this initiative were to contribute to the supply, accessibility, affordability, and quality of after-school…