Many researchers would like to be helpful to out-of-school time programs, and practitioners see a need for good research. Yet communication between researchers and practitioners can be a challenge. In a recent series of Roundtables to discuss program needs and research evaluations held with program practitioners, Child Trends obtained important…

Quality afterschool programs offer participants productive ways to spend the crucial afterschool hours--whether these hours are between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on school days, during weekends, or before school--that otherwise might be spent in unsupervised and potentially harmful activities. Also, afterschool programs help provide additional support to…

This document presents guidelines to help school personnel design efficient administration day care services for young children and their families. Topics discussed include day care philosophy, historical perspective, and rationale; some basic program planning and procedure suggestions; coordination of day care and public school programs; staff…

After-school programs provide an important educational setting for an increasing number of children and have been viewed as a way to help solve school problems, reduce drug use, and prevent violence and youth crime. This toolkit is designed to help school-based after-school program staff plan and make decisions in six critical areas: (1)…

This manual outlines the goals, guidelines, and requirements of Y.M.C.A. Latch Key Child Development Programs, which provide before- and after-school day care services for children who otherwise might be at home with no adult supervision. Included is information on how to begin a program, enrollment procedures, facilities, space utilization, daily…

Recognizing the importance of and need for high quality after-school care for 5- to 14-year-olds, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration commissioned a set of 9 School Age Care Technical Assistance Papers discussing the steps in designing high quality programs. This two-videotape set, based on those papers, provides guidance to…