Sunday, January 22, 2012

Revised Standards for Afterschool Programs Now Available

The Florida Afterschool Network is pleased to announce that the second edition of the Florida Standards for Quality Afterschool programs is now available. These Standards define the core principles and best practices that lead to the delivery of quality afterschool programming for children and youth. Through the cumulative work of FAN and its many partners, the Standards provide a framework for the development of a caring, dynamic, stimulating and safe afterschool environment.

The Florida Afterschool Network (FAN) Board of Directors would like to recognize and thank the following organizations and agencies for their input, advice and recommendations in the development of the Florida Standards for Quality Afterschool Programs:
§  Boys and Girls Clubs of Florida
§  Children’s Forum
§  Children’s Services Councils of Florida
§  Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida
§  Florida After School Alliance
§  Florida Department of Children and Families/Child Care Licensing Office
§  Florida Department of Education/21st Century Community Learning Centers
§  Florida’s Office of Early Learning
§  Hillsborough County Public Schools
§  National Afterschool Association
§  YMCAs
§  City and County Parks and Recreation Departments
§  Local Early Learning Coalitions
§  Local School Systems
§  Public and Private Afterschool Practitioners

FAN’s Board of Directors would also like to thank the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation for their continued support and encouragement. The work, energy and commitment of all participants truly make this document epitomize the term “quality.”

The Florida Standards for Quality Afterschool Programs has been endorsed by:
§  Association of Early Learning Coalitions
§  Children’s Forum
§  Children’s Services Councils of Florida
§  Department of Children and Families
§  Florida After School Alliance
§  Florida Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs
§  Florida’s Office of Early Learning
§  Hillsborough County Public Schools
§  Roundtable of St. Lucie County
§  United Ways of Florida
§  YMCAs of Florida

The Florida Standards for Afterschool Programs can be found at FAN’s website at http://www.myfan.org/. The new self-assessment tools will be announced in mid-February.  

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Panel of Champions Profile: Judge John Frusciante

Retired Judge John Frusciante is a member of the Florida Afterschool Network Panel of Champions. He sat on the bench of the 17th Judicial Circuit Court for 20 years (Broward County, Fort Lauderdale.)   He sat in all the Divisions and was Chief Judge of the Juvenile and Dependency Divisions (Dependency refers to children that are dependent on the State of Florida for their safety – mentally and physically.  This is the division that deals with children that are sexually and physically abused, abandoned or neglected.)

He was honored in 2010 with the William E. Gladstone Award.   The award is named after Judge William E. Gladstone, a pioneer, advocate and Champion for children’s rights and dignity – especially in the legal field.  It is given no more than once a year to the Judge or General Magistrate in the State of Florida “who has significantly advanced the welfare and protection of our State’s children” and advocated “for the dignity of children.”

Though he retired in 2010, Frusciante still works with the National Center for Trauma in Children and attends meetings with the Children and Family Leaders Association of Broward County (CFLA) in addition to being a Board Member of the Florida Chapter of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.  (FCJFCJ)

He has a Bachelor of Music and Master of Science degrees from the Juilliard School of Music. While his goal was to be a concert pianist, a broken finger and spinal fusion led him to law. He has a Juris Doctorate degree from Nova University (now Nova Southeastern) Law School. He is currently teaching a short course on Dependency at Nova.