VOOST NETWORK

Key Partner Meeting Summary

June 21, 2006

 

Attending:  T. Tait, B. Christie-Garvin, E. Betz, K. Workman, R. Matthews,  G.Green, Sue Kamp

The agenda was adjusted to an informal discussion to compensate for the small attendance at this meeting. The following is a summary of that discussion.

 

Sue Kamp announced VANPO is no longer in operation due to funding problems.  They served an important role providing technical assistance, training and advocacy workshops to the non-profit sector in Vermont.  Brian Boyd Director of the VT Community Foundation will be stepping in to fill the void for the time being. 

What training IS available for Afterschool?  There is a need for more training targeting Afterschool/ youth workers.  300 people attended the Youth Workers Conference /with a waitlist

How is the field of Youth Work defined?    Community education, Education, Community Development, Youth Development, Afterschool, School Age Care.

A career path for professionals that work with children and youth is being developed at the State level with core competencies and a credentialing process similar to STARS.    What are the challenges for providers to access training?  Time, $, and commitment, and knowing what is available. Northern Lights Career Development Center has a training category on its website, which links to Building Bright Futures to post trainings  (currently early education, but could be expanded for Afterschool) We need a community-based continuum of training.

 

 

Lights On Afterschool/Out of School Time Public Awareness Campaign

A project of the VT Dept of Education and VOOST Key Partner Network

Our overall goal is to give Afterschool/Out of School Time high visibility.

Mini-grants of up to $250 or up to $500 will be awarded to local programs to have a Light’s On event during the week of October 12th.  Anyone providing afterschool/out of school time programming is eligible with preference to events that promote collaboration, # of partners, outreach to local media, legislators mayors, etc. A copy to download is listed on www.voost.org under Network News. The deadline is currently July 30th but will be extended to allow for more participation, as we want a coordinated statewide effort.  Key Partners please distribute to your contacts.

Mapping Project

A project of the Children’s Trust Foundation and VOOST Key Partner Network

The Center for Rural Studies at UVM will assess the state of Afterschool in VT

Providers will be surveyed this summer, parents in the fall to get a snapshot of what is available, accessible, challenges and landscape of Afterschool. The report will be available for release by January in time to gear up for the legislative session and the campaign for the Children’s Trust Fund, which supports afterschool programming.

 

Next Key Partner Meeting, Tuesday 9:30-12, September 19th, location TBA.