Keep Kids COVID Safe and Healthy
Dave McConnell, Director of the Center for Afterschool and Expanded Learning
Safely operating afterschool programs where young people can learn, play and socialize is a top priority for the 2021-2022 school year.
Foundations, Inc., is proud to support afterschool educators by curating the most helpful content from trusted organizations, including the Afterschool Alliance, the American Camp Association, and the National Summer Learning Association. Resources will be updated throughout the school year as guidance changes. Support for this project was made possible by a grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to Foundations, Inc.
Resources and training materials for afterschool, summer learning programs, and camps.
Foundations, Inc., is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization committed to improving the quality of education for our nation’s children by strengthening the skills of educators. We believe that supporting educators is the best way to improve experiences for our children both in school and afterschool. Our services and resources allow us to meet the unique needs of individuals and organizations, building capacity so that they can learn new and engaging strategies to achieve their goals. We rely on proven practice and evidence-based research to ensure that the advice and tools we provide are effective. Through support services, professional development, and educational resources we are creating a brighter future for every child – every day.
To expand support for quality afterschool programs, the Afterschool Alliance works with agencies, elected officials, business, 50 state afterschool networks, community leaders, and program providers across the nation. We’re in touch with more than 25,000 afterschool program partners and our publications reach more than 65,000 interested individuals every month. Our main areas of work include:
- Research & Publications – Covering topics such as STEM learning, best practices, and youth outcomes. Our America After 3PM report is the most comprehensive data available on where young people spend the after school hours.
- Policy & Advocacy – We are committed to educating policymakers year-round about the value of afterschool and summer learning opportunities. Every spring, we host the Afterschool for All Challenge, convening parents, youth, and afterschool leaders from across the country for trainings and meetings with members of Congress in Washington, D.C.
- Communications – We generate thousands of positive stories on afterschool every year, reaching tens of millions of people, while also growing and maintaining an active online presence, boasting 34,000 social media followers. Organizing the only nationwide celebration of afterschool programs every October, we help more than 8,000 programs showcase their work and gain recognition during Lights On Afterschool.
- Field-Building – We provide resources on all topics above to 25,000 afterschool programs, as well as technical assistance to 50 state afterschool networks. Our team also works to place AmeriCorps VISTAs in communities to help advance afterschool.
The American Camp Association is a community of camp professionals who, for over 100 years, have joined together to share our knowledge and experience and to ensure the quality of camp programs. Because of our diverse 12,000 plus membership and our exceptional programs, children and adults have the opportunity to learn powerful lessons in community, character-building, skill development, and healthy living — lessons that can be learned nowhere else. As a leading authority in youth development, ACA works to preserve, promote, and improve the camp experience. Our association is committed to helping our members and all camps provide:
- Camp communities committed to a safe, nurturing environment
- Caring, competent adult role models
- Healthy, developmentally appropriate experiences
- Service to the community and the natural world
- Opportunities for leadership and personal growth
- Discovery, experiential education, and learning opportunities
- Excellence and continuous self-improvement
When we nurture and cultivate a child’s natural brilliance and curiosity, there are positive ripple effects throughout every area of life—both for children and their families. The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) is a national, non-profit organization focused on the powerful impact of one achievable goal: investing in summer learning to help close the achievement gap. NSLA uses the power of research, advocacy, training, and policy to transform America’s neighborhoods and communities, one child at a time.
Support for this project was made possible
by a grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
to Foundations, Inc.
