NCJ Number
213518
Date Published
September 2005
Length
51 pages
Annotation
In order to help policymakers and program directors operate effective afterschool programs and avoid problems identified by evaluations of these programs, this booklet summarizes the last 10 years of evaluators' findings on selected afterschool programs.
Abstract
The recommendations offered are best suited to programs whose objective is to produce measurable benefits for youth who are at risk of delinquency or other negative outcomes. The first section of the booklet discusses evaluation findings regarding what youth to target and what has proven effective in attracting them to an afterschool program. After describing general recruitment strategies, this section discusses the targeting of older youth and higher risk youth. Also addressed are recruitment strategies for behaviorally high-risk youth and what to do when more youth apply for the program than can be accepted. The second section of the booklet discusses how to retain youth in a program long enough to achieve measurable positive effects. It addresses the benefits and adverse effects of mandatory program attendance, the development of positive adult-youth relationships, the fostering of a positive peer environment, the offering of a range of activities, and the provision of a structured and safe environment. The booklet's third section focuses on the development of strong management. Topics covered are the hiring of the right staff for a given program, the matching of staff skills with program tasks, making training accessible to staff and appropriate for program objectives, daily staff development, and monitoring the quality of program activities. The concluding section covers the budget challenge. It discusses program cost estimation, the hiring of a full-time executive director, the balancing of the cost and benefit of activities, hiring sufficient permanent staff, and when to create a senior administrative structure. 7 notes and 13 references