What We Do

Since the 1990s the Center has been the leader for promoting high quality out-of-school time programs in Arizona. Through a network of diverse stakeholders for children, youth and families the Center is creating a single, unified voice for afterschool in Arizona to implement a strategic agenda that includes professional development, quality initiatives, public awareness, partnership linkages, and enhanced funding for the field of out-of-school time.

We communicate:

• Monthly e-mail newsletters contain information on training opportunities, grant opportunities, community resources, and research, curriculum and best-practice resources.
• An interactive Web site that’s updated with information for professionals, parents and policymakers.
• All updates on how state and federal policies affect children, youth and families.

We convene:

• Six regional afterschool coalitions meet monthly to network and discuss professional development opportunities.
• The Annual State Afterschool Conference gathers more than 500 state afterschool professionals for a day of learning, networking and celebrating successful programs.
• Afterschool advocates at the State Legislature ask Arizona leaders to make children and youth a priority.

We Collaborate:

• The statewide network of afterschool programs is committed to working together to develop and sustain quality opportunities for children and youth.
• The Center works with the Governor’s Statewide Youth Development Task Force to build a comprehensive framework that will support not only the positive development of children and youth but of youth successfully transitioning to adulthood.
• The Center works with professionals statewide to develop and improve standards of quality and the evaluation methods of programs.