The following details the plans for the eight cities chosen to participate in phase two of the City Leaders Engaged in Afterschool Reform (CLEAR) project being carried out by NLC?s Institute for Youth, Education, and Families (YEF Institute), with support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
Alexandria, Va.
City leaders in Alexandria will use the assistance to build upon past efforts of the city?s Afterschool Advisory Group. Their plan includes developing an Out-of-School Time Office housed in the city?s Department of Human Services, identifying funding streams and sustainability strategies, and building political and public will for quality, accountable programs on a sliding fee scale to reach all children across the city.
?I am confident that the phase two guidance and support from the YEF Institute will be a value added to our efforts,? said Mayor William D. Euille.
Baton Rouge, La.
The City of Baton Rouge convened more than 12 major partners including the school district, police, libraries, transit system, chamber of commerce, parks and recreation department and community-based afterschool providers to jointly improve opportunities for young people. Their plan includes conducting a community assessment, solidifying support of key stakeholders, establishing guidelines and curricula for afterschool providers and strengthening the financing and sustainability for programs.
?We have been able to identify the myriad of existing programs throughout our parish and are currently working on developing a cohesive plan to bring all the services to a consistently high level of excellence,? said Mayor Melvin ?Kip? Holden.
Boise, Idaho
Through a city resolution, Mayor David H. Bieter aims to create a Mayor?s Council on Children and Youth, which will initially focus on building an afterschool system. The city plans to implement a comprehensive community needs assessment through a youth mapping process; address transportation barriers and decentralize services to increase access to programs; establish common standards; and create an educational campaign explaining the importance of afterschool programs.
?Given the State of Idaho?s current focus on afterschool services, the timing is perfect to make Boise an example of successful partnerships and attainable goals,? said Bieter.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Mayor John M. Fabrizi has convened more than 40 business and community leaders to work on the CLEAR initiative.
Bridgeport?s plan includes integrating citywide initiatives in an afterschool strategic plan that supports in-school learning; developing consistent policies that include professional development, program monitoring and assessment; maximizing cost effectiveness; increasing the number of youth served; and implementing an outreach plan to attract resources and partnerships.
Denver
?To build upon our existing efforts, we will focus on assessing community needs and resources available for afterschool programs; developing a citywide approach to quality afterschool programs through common standards, accountability and evaluation tools; and holding a citywide summit to present data, best practices and recommendations to constituents,? said Mayor John W. Hickenlooper.
?The information gained through this process will enable us to make sound decisions about future investments in opportunities for youth during non-school hours,? he added.
Florence, S.C.
The Mayor?s Coalition for the Prevention of Juvenile Crime, a partnership between the police department, parks and leisure services, parks commission, school district, the city manager?s office and the chamber of commerce, has worked to examine the underlying needs and conditions that contribute to youth-related challenges that face the city.
Their action plan includes establishing a community committee to work on standards and programming; conducting a needs assessment of summer youth programming; securing additional resources; and developing stronger business champions.
?Through [this Coalition], we have identified a need for systematic reform to coordinate the efforts of our in-school and afterschool providers,? said Mayor Frank E. Willis. ?With the help of NLC?s technical assistance, the City of Florence can greatly enhance its efforts to fill what we have identified as one of our greatest needs.?
Las Cruces, N.M.
?Participation in the CLEAR project has allowed the city the opportunity to identify its strengths and weaknesses,? said Mayor William M. Mattiace.
?The city and public schools are developing a resource manual to document available activities; pursuing licensure as an accredited afterschool provider; and working to outline standards. I look forward to continually expanding our programs to meet the needs of all school-aged children,? he added.
Salt Lake City
The city?s plan includes expanding relationships with current afterschool stakeholders; aligning learning between in-school and afterschool; deepening communication between city and school leaders; launching a grassroots effort for financial sustainability and support; and holding a citywide summit to establish program quality measurements and standards.
?We see inadequate child supervision ? specifically a lack of affordable afterschool programs, and a lack of affordable quality early childcare options ? as a core issue facing our community,? said Mayor Rocky Anderson.?With NLC?s help, we will develop a plan for sustainability that assures the longevity and dependability of afterschool and summer time options for the young people of our city.?