VOOST NETWORK

Key Partner Meeting Summary

April 27, 2006

 

Attending: J. Ressler,  H. Emerson, T. Tait, S. Kleinman, K. Schaeffer,  S. Dixon, A. Darley, C, Sionainn, S. Kelley, D. Pfenning, C. & E. Dorer, H. Mattison, G. Burley, J. Turmel, D. Cahill, E. Betz, S. Kamp, H. Boissonneau, M. Leugers, B.Christie-Garvin

 

Introductory Activity-  What do you remember doing afterschool? Reflected a time when youth came home from school, snacked and played together in neighborhoods, woods and playgrounds under the unofficial “Mothers’ Eyes and Ears Association", exploring, playing pickup games of kickball and capture the flag, "until the triangle bell called me in". They participated in service clubs, 4-H, YMCA, summer camp, Park and Recreation and childcare programs, structured lessons of music, dance, sports, worked, did chores, learned new skills, languages, spent time with trusted adults in their life, watched TV and came home alone.  The need has increased for afterschool places where children are safe and engaged as more parents work outside of the home.   

  

Featured Program- Ginny Burley’s Community Connections power point pictured youth of all ages, participating in various art, science, and physical activities. The program has been in operation for six years with nine sites throughout the Montpelier/ U32 school districts serving over 2000 students through mentoring, drop out prevention, physical education, community service, afterschool, summer activities and community education.  The project was conceived by two community groups and two school districts, and launched through the 21st Century Community Learning Center’s grant.  Currently a federal mentoring grant, town appropriations, Carol White Foundation, school budget line item and fee for service funding sustains the program.   Their sites are licensed and participants can qualify for subsidies.  Ginny speaks of working towards having Afterschool funded through the General Education Fund with equitable distribution throughout communities, and entitlement for every student in VT. “I would like to spend less of my time on funding search and more time on quality, supervision, Profession Development and quality improvement.”  Licensing is critical with the State picking up fees for qualified youth up to age 12, but leaving a gap for middle and high school students except in cases of special needs. 

Policy Work: Some students don’t qualify because a parent is at home and subsidy is tied to employability even though in some cases, home may not be the best environment for the child.   It is easier to sustain programs that serve up to age 12, but middle school is where we let them down as a state.   Teen Centers can be supported through municipalities, town budgets, grant funding, VCTC, and partnering with other groups/ Rec. Dept. Boys and Girls Clubs.  Partnering with established groups such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA etc. Drop out prevention, work force development, OJJDP, New Directions, and other initiatives are possible ways to support afterschool.

 

 

 

 

Public Awareness Campaign- Emanuel Betz   Afterschool is in a different place than it was five years ago.  It is time to mobilize all the groups that have been started up to educate the community about the importance and benefits of Afterschool. VOOST will support a Lights On Media and Public Education Campaign, with help from a grant awarded to VOOST by the Department of Education.  Our goal is to bring Afterschool from the invisible to the visible. There will be a coordinated Statewide event and as many local programs as possible throughout the state to celebrate Lights On Afterschool on October 12, 2006.  This effort provides an opportunity for collaboration bringing programs together to plan.   Examples of Light’s On activities:  Park and Recreation partnered with the YMCA for a rally and parade through Burlington, Community Connections planted a daffodil bulb for every child served, Tapestry hung posters inviting parents, teachers and community members to drop in on their afterschool programs. Suggestions for Lights On: A Summer Lights On Kick off event to tie in to summer programs, tie in with Fit & Healthy Kid’s Day Lights Savings Challenge. The Afterschool media campaign will feature PSAs for radio, TV, and newspaper distribution. Interested Partners are asked to sign up to work on the plan.

 

 

Key Partner Announcements 

 

Janet Ressler (applauded by the group for her service) will be retiring from the VT Art’s Council next month shared the Palette’s Project, the 06-08 Juried Teaching Artists registry and Grant Guidelines for Organizations. Information about VAC community projects that can be found on their website www.vermontartscouncil.org

 

Heather Madison from the Child Development Division shared the 2006 Legislative Report

 

Maggie Lugar from Burlington Dept. of Parks and Recreation shared information about 242 Main Street Teen Club expanding their music events and music afterschool programming.  They will also offer their Music Camp again this summer.

 

Suzanne Kelley from Dept of Health has fold up Frisbees sponsored by VERB. If you would like some for your organization E-mail Suzanne Skelley@vdh.state.vt.us

 

Chris Dorer from Campaign To End Childhood Hunger has summer food program packets, lists of sponsors, sites where meals are served.  CDorer@vtnohunger.org

 

Barbara Christie-Garvin from VOOST shared a list of questions for thought about our work together (attached) and a reminder that the May 19th, 1st Annual Youth Workers Conference registration deadline is May 5th.   For info e-mail kpinkham@adelphia.net,

Website is being updated send current information to heather@voost.org

 Afterschool For All May 23,24,Washington DC.

 

 

 

 

 

Mapping- Sue Kamp   Funds from the Children’s Trust Foundation and VOOST will be used to complete the much awaited Mapping Project that will study the state of Afterschool in the State.

 

Why?  To get the word out regarding what is happening, find out where are the holes, what is missing. 

How could it be used?  Information to share with Legislators, School Boards, Communities, Parents, to justify a funding request, to define the need vs. capacity, to address duplication. Describe what is going on before we know what to do.

Policy Work:  Afterschool needs to be connected with the State Outcomes and reflected in the Community Profiles.

 What should be included?  Capacity to serve, age group, hours, days, capacity – age vs. need, free meals, snack programs, transportation needs, philosophy, contact information, cost, alternative funding, population served, poverty levels, longevity, (maps for different purposes) funding sources for sustainability, profit/nonprofit

What criteria should be use?  List of organizations that serve afterschool, budget cutoff, minimum # of youth served, adult present, depends on the audience, evaluation, credentials, audits, are youth involved.

Where is this information, how do we get it?

 

 

Next steps: 

 

 Communications - Planning/Message/Audience

 Key Partner Outreach - Mayors, Law enforcement, Business, Faith

 Regional Development - Lights On Afterschool Campaign Planning

 Legislative Agenda – Education/outreach to legislators

Location TBA