After School Network
Many young people find themselves without supervision on weekdays between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m. In 2009, the Afterschool Alliance conducted a national survey to learn how many school age children are in afterschool programs and how many spend their time unsupervised. In Wisconsin, one third of children are responsible for themselves after school, and they spend an average of seven after-school hours per week unsupervised.
To provide educational support for the creation and sustainment of quality before and after school programs in Lincoln County, UW-Extension 4-H Youth Development created the Lincoln County After School Network and continues to facilitate this network as a way for before and after school staff in Lincoln County to share resources, knowledge and provide training opportunities for staff from before and after school programs in Lincoln County for elementary and middle school age youth. Currently, the Lincoln County After School Network is composed of before and/or after school programs at 4-H After School Clubs, After the Bell at Prairie River Middle School, Jefferson Elementary School, Kate’s Cafe’ at Kate Goodrich Elementary School, OASIS at Ott’s Garage, Kids in Motion – Tomahawk Elementary School, UW-Extension 4-H Youth Development and Washington Elementary School Community Learning Center. For more information about the network or to join, contact Debbie Moellendorf at deborah.moellendorf@ces.uwex.edu or call 715-539-1077.
UW-Extension Lincoln County 4-H Youth Development has successfully applied for and implemented training grants with members of the Lincoln County After School Network and other key partners. Training grant funds have been utilized to support the network meetings as well as to provide funding for staff and volunteers to attend additional trainings, such as the Wisconsin After School Association Annual conference. Without these funds the network or participation in the State Conference would not be possible for most of the network members due to their limited budgets.
The Network hosted a Lights on Afterschool Open House on Monday, January 31, 2011 at Washington Elementary School and one on Monday, September 26th at Kate Goodrich Elementary School. During these Open Houses, the community was invited to stop by to learn more about before and/or after school programs available and the need for programs in Lincoln County. Staff from each program were available to share information and answer questions. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear testimonials about the benefits of the programs from students, parents/guardians, teachers and principals. Program displays and booths, testimonials and refreshments were served throughout the event.
Proclamation of Support for Our Before and Afterschool Programming – January 31, 2011
America After 3 Factsheet for WI 2009
Lights On Afterschool Fact Sheet
The Network hosted both of these events as part of the National Lights on Afterschool effort. The National event is actually scheduled for mid-October each year where more than 7,500 communities and 1 million Americans celebrate Lights On Afterschool, a nationwide event organized by the Afterschool Alliance to rally support for afterschool programs. Due to program schedules we have chosen to hold our local event at different times during the year.
Impact of After School:
School’s Out! Out-of-School Time Key to Children’s Success – Wiskids Policy Brief Fall 2006
More than Fun & Games – WisKids Count Issue Brief Summer 2008
