Optional Flexibility Waiver Threatens Quality After School Programs: A Message from FAN Executive Director Larry Larry Pintacuda

Hello Friends,

For more than 10 years, Florida afterschool providers have been working together with the Florida Department of Education to build first-rate 21st Century Community Learning Centers across Florida. We have created quality standards, trained staff and leaders, and linked to national research and stakeholders. We have explored the best ways to learn in the afterschool hours, built strong partnerships with schools and a wide variety of community partners, and found ways to serve and engage families.

Through these efforts, Florida has developed an exemplary 21st CCLC program which is focused on continuous improvement, as well as fun, hands-on engaged learning for our students. Students who participate in 21st CCLC programs throughout the state are offered opportunities to conduct science experiments, solve hands-on and real-world math problems, develop reading skills, engage in meaningful service learning, work with mentors, learn musical instruments, play sports, learn to paint, sculpt and dance, and have other experiences that change and shape their lives forever.

Currently we are facing a potential threat to the funding we have been working so hard to obtain. The Optional Flexibility Waiver provision is included as part of the President Obama’s No Child Left Behind waiver announcement. This provision could fundamentally alter the purpose of the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) program by allowing these funds (Title IV, Part B of NCLB) to be used to add time to the regular school day without providing guidance on how such time would be used.

We recognize that though this voluntary waiver will provide educators and State and local leaders with flexibility regarding specific requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), unlike the other waiver provisions, the expanded learning time provision could significantly and negatively impact federal afterschool program funding.

Successful afterschool programs are effective not only because of the scope of academic and personal development services provided, but because these services are provided at a time when the children who need this programming the most would be otherwise unsupervised, unsupported, and disengaged from meaningful enrichment. Allowing these funds to be used during the course of the regular school day would prevent these effective programs from providing either a full scope of valuable services or a safe place to learn and grow.

Much progress has been made to create quality afterschool programs. It is imperative that steps are not taken backwards. We are all dedicated to insuring our nation’s children are provided every opportunity to achieve at the highest academic levels. And while we have the same end in mind, it is imperative that we chart the best path to reach this goal. As Winston Churchill famously said, “Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing, after they have exhausted all other possibilities.”

We hope that rather than exhaust precious time and funds, Florida’s elected officials and educational executives will do the proverbial “right thing” and not “check the box” on the optional waiver, thereby allowing the 21st CCLC program to continue to operate in its current, successful form. 

I have personally reached out to our elected officials and the head of the Department of Education voicing concerns of this program’s impact on after school program funding. We ask all our supporters to please support our effort to secure Florida's 21st CCLC programs and ensure quality afterschool programming for the children of Florida who need it most.

Thanks for your support,

Larry

Lights on Afterschool Day: Proclamation by Governor Scott

WHEREAS, aferschool programs provide safe, challenging, engaging and fun learning experiences to help children and youth develop their social, emotional, physical, cultural and academic skills; and

WHEREAS, after school programs have provided significant leadership in the area of community involvement in the education and well-being of our youth, grounded in the principle that quality afterschool programs are key to helping our children become successful adults;

WHEREAS, Lights on Afterschool, the national celebration of afterschool programs aims to promote the importance of quality afterschool programs in the lives of children, families and communities; and

WHEREAS, more than 28 million children in the U.S. have parents who work outside the home,  and more than 14 million  have no place to go after school; and

WHEREAS, many afterschool programs across the county are facing funding shortfalls so severe that they are being forced to close their doors and turn off their lights; and

WHEREAS, Florida is committed to investing in the health and safety of all young people by providing expanded learning opportunities that will help close the achievement gap and prepare young people to compete in the global economy.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rick Scott, Governor of the state of Florida, do hereby extend greetings and best wishes to all observing  Oct. 20, 2011 as Lights on Afterschool Day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have herento set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 30^th day of September, in the year two thousand eleven.

FAN Panel of Champion Lannon Finalist for District Data of the Year Award

St. Lucie County Superintendent and Florida Afterschool Network Panel of Champion Member Michael Lannon is a finalist in the Florida Department of Education District Data of the Year Award.

The program recognizes Florida school district superintendents who are leading the way in using education data to drive student improvement. District Data Leaders strive to communicate the relevance of education data to teachers, administrators, parents, students, and other stakeholders while demonstrating leadership regarding data distribution. District Data Leaders continually seek new methods to improve the use of data in their communities and schools, and employ innovative data strategies that help to inform instruction and move student achievement forward.

The District Data Leader of the Year Program seeks to recognize these data leaders for their extraordinary efforts and their dedication to making every one of their students successful.

Lannon established policies that set the stage for implementation of clearly defined curricular and performance standards, leading to the acquisition of the Learning Village curriculum management system. This system serves as a comprehensive repository of tagged digital assets that are aligned with the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and Common Core State Standards, including curriculum and instructional resources.

“I'm honored to be in the company of such outstanding educational and civic leaders as my follow nominees,” Lannon said.

Congrats, Michael, and good luck!

Before, During and After School: Florida KidCare is There

Good eating habits, exercise and sufficient sleep are just a few ways for kids to stay healthy. If you add quality health insurance with Florida KidCare to the mix, you have a recipe for children to be successful before, during and after school.

Florida KidCare is the state’s low-cost health insurance for children birth through age 18. The program has four components that address the needs of kids at every age and every income level.

There are currently about 1.9 million kids who receive services such as doctor visits, immunizations, dental care, prescriptions and much more. One of the best parts about the program is that all children in Florida can apply—regardless of income.

The amount families’ pay is based on household income and family size. Many pay $15 or $20 a month, but most pay nothing at all. Plus, we have a full-pay option available for households above twice the Federal Poverty Level or for a family of four, those making more than $44,000 per year.

After school officials, teachers, administrators and staff all have a responsibility to ensure that students have access to the resources that will help them excel – from crayons and paper to tutoring and health insurance, they all are equally important.

If there is a child in your after-school program without insurance, talk to his or her parents about applying for Florida KidCare. They can apply online at www.floridakidcare.org; print an application from the website and mail it to P.O. Box 980, Tallahassee, FL 32302-0980; or call 1-888-540-5437 to have an application mailed to them.

Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Renews Partnership with Florida Afterschool Network

The Florida Afterschool Network (FAN) is proud to announce that its proposal for third funding cycle from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has been approved. The project period runs from October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2014.

  

Grant foundation awards Florida Afterschool Network $569,000

By Ashley Ames
Democrat staff writer

Larry Pintacuda's voice takes on a certain urgency when he discusses the importance of after-school programs in Florida.

"Kids in quality after-school programs do better in school, there is less teen pregnancy, drop-out rates are reduced," he said.

"I'm passionate about kids. It's been my whole life," said Pintacuda, executive director of the Florida Afterschool Network. "I've seen how these kids come in (to after-school programs) and develop and become great kids."

FAN works to advocate for and improve after-school programs statewide. That comes in the form of securing funding from the Legislature for those programs, developing and updating what qualifies as quality after-school care, and, most recently, partnering with state colleges to develop official certification for after-school practitioners — including at the college level.

Pintacuda announced Monday that the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation — a Michigan-based grant-making organization centered on community and environmental improvement — approved FAN's proposal for funding. The foundation, which has supported FAN since the network's inception in 2005, will give the nonprofit $569,000 over the next three years, Pintacuda said. FAN will then match that amount by a dollar and a half, much of which will come from the United Way of Florida, the Florida After School Alliance, the Florida Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs and other organizations. FAN operates on about $180,000 a year, Pintacuda said.

FAN's mission also comes to life through the collaboration of partners across the state, including former Miami Herald publisher David Lawrence, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D- Fla., and Frank Brogan, chancellor of the State University System. This networking, which also includes FAN's board of directors, helps the non-profit achieve its goal, Pintacuda said.

"These are all people who are passionate about after-school programs, who will help us try to sell the importance of after-school programs," he said.

Pintacuda said the importance of after-school programs could be seen by simply looking at the numbers. In Florida, 750,000 students spend an average of 15 hours a week unsupervised after school lets out, he said. He said that from 2 to 6 p.m., kids are most likely to become victims of violent crime, be killed in a car accident or other accident, experiment with drugs and engage in sexual activities.

"Our mission is to ensure that every kid has an opportunity to participate in a quality after-school program," Pintacuda said. The awarding of the funding will further that goal.

"It will allow us to continue to push for quality after-school programs in this state," he said.

The Children's Forum, a Tallahassee-based nonprofit that works to improve services for children and families, is one of FAN's partners. Jenna Jacobsen-Brown, Children's Forum communications and membership services director, agreed with the need for quality after-school care.

"Research shows that children in after-school programs are less likely to commit crimes, less likely to do drugs," she said. "FAN is one vehicle that can express why quality after-school programs are so important for children in Florida."

Florida Afterschool Network's Larry Pintacuda Featured on The Children's Trust

Florida Afterschool Network Executive Director Larry Pintacuda was a recent guest on The Children's Trust speaking about the mission of the Florida Afterschool Network.

He is the second guest in this segment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La0Gn1XSfHU&feature=player_detailpage#t=556s

© 2011 - The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County

The Children’s Trust emphasizes collaboration and partnership in order to provide the programs and services needed by children and families and to effect community-wide change. As we have since our inception, The Children's Trust encourages creative approaches to coordinating, integrating and funding services across and within the areas of health, safety, development and to promote increased parental and community involvement on behalf of all our children, while stressing accountability and results.

How To Pick the Right Afterschool Program?

Unfortunately, not every afterschool program is created equal. Because of that, it is crucial for parents to do their homework and pick the program that is right for their children.

First step: talk with your kids about what they are interested in. Let’s be honest, kids interest change all the time, so find out what sports they like, are they into music or art, or what about languages? Make a list of what they would want to do afterschool.

After you select a couple programs that match up with your children’s interests, it is time to go to work on researching the programs and their staff. The quality of staff is critical to the overall quality of the program.  You will want to make sure that all staff is screened by the FBI and local law enforcement and that all have had CPR and first aid training.

Then ask about the credentials of the staff – what degrees and certifications do they hold? Ask about staff experience and education in early childhood/school-age care, recreation and, if needed, serving children with special needs.

You also want to ask about the child/staff ratio. Florida’s maximum staff-to-child ratio for school-age children is 1-to-25. National quality standards recommend between 1-to-8 and 1-to-15 for children age 5-teens, and group sizes no larger than 30. You want to ensure that your child is being attended to at all times and get one-on-one time.

Now that you have narrowed down your list, plan a visit. Every program should welcome parents to come and tour the facilities. The same is true when you enroll your child in the program. Ask to see a lesson plan. Quality programs provide more than continuous free play. Plans should be consistent with the philosophy of the program and should include indoor, outdoor, quiet, active, staff-planned, child-initiated and free choice activities.

Bring your child with you to the tour. Although you as the parent want to be happy with the program and facility, more importantly, your child needs to be happy with it. This should be a joint decision, so make your child as part of the process as possible.

Remember, do your homework and find a program that has a quality staff and is best in line with your child’s interests.