After-school programs are viable settings contributing to positive outcomes for children and adolescents. Such programs are offered in schools or through community-based organizations (e.g., congregations). After-school programs serve as a connector for children before adolescence by linking the family, school, and community to a child’s future. During initial needs assessment activities “Uniting Congregations for Youth Development” was identified by neighborhood task force members as a priority for central Oklahoma City neighborhoods participating in the HEART of OKC (Healthy, Empowered And Responsible Teens of OKC) Project, one of 13 community-based teen pregnancy prevention/youth development projects funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The purpose of this intervention is to evaluate the effectiveness of a quarterly training series in educating congregational representatives on how to implement a congregation-based after-school program. Process evaluation measures, annual action plan and monthly progress logs, were used to document progress in implementing intervention activities. Satisfaction surveys were administered to participants at the conclusion of each training session. The following four training sessions are conducted quarterly: (1) Why have an after-school program? (2) How to create and implement an after-school program. (3) Fundraising and financial sustainability. (4) Evaluation – making the puzzle pieces fit. Congregational representatives discuss models of after-school programs (e.g., SPARK, Whiz Kids, JETS, Kid’s Café, and Club Chill) with training participants. The process for successfully implementing a congregation-based after-school program promoting positive youth development while providing support for families and connecting children and adolescents to a community-based congregation will be presented.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant in this ssession will be able to: 1. Identify congregation-based after-school programs. 2. Discuss the congregational training series on after-school programs for children and adolescents.
Keywords: Faith Community, Child/Adolescent
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.