A high-quality workforce is essential to providing afterschool programs that lead to positive outcomes for children and youth.
The afterschool workforce is comprised of a diverse group of afterschool workers, youth workers, credentialed teachers, social workers and other professionals, with varying levels of education and experience.
States and communities have worked to build and strengthen professional development systems for the afterschool workforce by providing scholarships for education and training, establishing training registries, defining core knowledge and competencies for afterschool workers, and offering credentials and certifications for staff that further their education (Afterschool Investment Project, 2007). Additionally, websites such as the Department of Education’s You for Youth site provides online training and resources to afterschool professionals.
Afterschool Investments Project (2007). Building professional development systems for the afterschool field. Washington, DC: Afterschool Investments Project.
Yohalem, N., Pittman, K., & Edwards, S. (2010). Strengthening the youth development/after-school workforce: Lessons learned and implications for funders. Washington, DC: The Forum for Youth Investment and Cornerstones for Kids.
Yohalem, N., Pittman, K., & Moore, D. (2006). Growing the next generation of youth work professionals: Workforce opportunities and challenges. Houston, TX: Cornerstones for Kids.
Map My Community is a tool designed specifically to assist you in locating resources in your community to help you build and strengthen your youth program. Get ideas for new partnerships, identify gaps in your community, and learn about resources to avoid duplication of effort.
FindYouthInfo.gov is the U.S. government Web site that helps you create, maintain, and strengthen effective youth programs. Included are youth facts, funding information, and tools to help you assess community assets, generate maps of local and federal resources, search for evidence-based youth programs, and keep up-to-date on the latest, youth-related news.