Project Resources

The Afterschool Investments project has developed the following tools and materials for Child Care and Development Fund grantees and other State and local leaders supporting afterschool efforts:

Using Quality Rating Systems to Promote Quality in Afterschool Programs
Executive Summary: (HTML | PDF) Most tiered quality ratings systems were designed with early care providers in mind, but are readily adaptable to providers that care for school-age children.  For those providers who only serve school-age children, adapting the ratings systems is more challenging.  This brief outlines issues in adapting tiered quality ratings for those caring for school-age children; offers suggestions for adaptations; and provides examples of innovative solutions that states are proposing.  (HTML | PDF)

School-Age Children in Regulated Family Child Care Settings
This publication explores the role of licensed family child care providers in caring for school-age children.  It outlines steps that states can take to better support these providers in serving school-age or mixed-age groups and addresses information gaps in the field where further research is needed. (HTML | PDF)

Building Professional Development Systems for the Afterschool Field
Executive Summary: (HTML | PDF) This publication provides a snapshot of state and local approaches to building professional development systems for school-age care professionals, highlighting the shared challenges these systems face and the common components of sustainable professional development systems. (HTML | PDF)

State Child Care Subsidy Administration Policies for School-Age Care
This strategy brief examines subsidy administration policies and practices with regard to how they promote access to care for school-age children.  It explores how states establish provider reimbursement rates for school-age care, determine co-payments for families with children in school, and develop strategies to facilitate the transitions between part-time care during the school year and full-time care during school and summer breaks.(HTML | PDF)

Federal Resources for Afterschool Providers
This resource list offers a sample of information available on the Afterschool.gov website, including tips on starting and operating an afterschool program, accessing resources for program funding and financing, delivering fun and innovative curriculum and activities, and addressing issues facing America's youth. (HTML | PDF—55K)

Promoting Physical Activity and Healthy Nutrition in Afterschool Settings: Strategies for Program Leaders and Policymakers
This strategy brief outlines the important role that afterschool programs can play in efforts to prevent childhood obesity and includes ideas for incorporating nutrition and fitness into afterschool programming, strategies for financing these efforts, and examples of policies that can support and encourage the afterschool community’s endeavors to steer children toward healthy choices.
(HTML | PDF—2.5M) This checklist summarizes strategies and resources discussed in the brief and can be used by program developers and policymakers to guide strategic discussions and planning around policy and program options. (HTML | PDF—118K)

Linking and Learning: Lessons for Afterschool from Early Childhood System-Building Efforts
While early care and afterschool providers serve different populations with distinct needs, there are many similarities in the infrastructure and supports they need to succeed. This paper describes eleven lessons that the afterschool community may learn from the system-building efforts in the field of early care and education. (HTML | PDF—1.4M)

Promoting Quality in Afterschool Programs through State Child Care Regulations
This publication provides states with strategies for adapting state child care regulations to better promote quality in afterschool programs. There is also discussion of how states can align child care regulations with other strategies for improving the quality of afterschool programs. (HTML | PDF—1.6M)

Making Smart Investments in Afterschool: A Policy Primer for State and Local Leaders
This brief offers ideas for state and local policymakers to develop interagency collaboration, expand access to affordable afterschool programs, and advance general program quality. Examples of promising practices from across the country are included to show leaders concrete ways of promoting the sustainability of afterschool programs. (HTML | PDF—2.1M)

A Guide for Effective Governance: Considerations and Lessons Learned for Afterschool Networks.
This tool is intended to help statewide and local afterschool networks to implement effective governance practices that help them to meet their goals. Key components of governance discussed include: vision, structure and leadership, accountability, broad representation, communication and measuring results. (HTML | PDF—3.4M)

Resource Guides for Afterschool Program Providers
The Afterschool Investments project has developed resource guides on starting an afterschool program (HTML | PDF—38K) and financing an afterschool program (HTML | PDF—46K). These guides present helpful publications and resources as well as a range of considerations for individuals developing new afterschool programs or seeking to sustain existing programs.

CCDF and 21CCLC: State Efforts to Facilitate Coordination for Afterschool Programs
(HTML | PDF—502K)
To date, few afterschool programs have successfully integrated funding from the Child Care and Development Fund and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. This brief describes the rationale for increased coordination, the challenges involved, and emerging strategies for states to consider that can make it easier for programs to utilize both funding sources.

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