Arkansas School-Age Quality Initiative Project
The project goal is to increase the number of accredited school-age programs across the State of Arkansas by providing technical support, an accrediting self study instrument, and greater consumer awareness quality programming.
A three pronged approach will be used to address needs:
- Construct a support network for school-age programs seeking accreditation
- Provide a series of self-study modules as the instrument for accreditation
- Increase consumer awareness with public presentations and informational pamphlets
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School-Age Professional Development Opportunities
Training Opportunities specifically designed for school-age providers (covering issues such as orientation and training of new staff, activities for school-age children, guidance and discipline, developmental characteristics of school-age children and program improvement ideas,) are offered in five regions of the state. All trainings are registered with the Arkansas Early Childhood Professional Development Registry. There is no charge for their workshops.
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School-Age Pre-Employment Training
Pre-employment training will offer you the opportunity to learn more about school-age children and school-age care. You will also acquire the tools and techniques for developing an age appropriate environment, creating school-age activities, and understanding and learning what constitutes quality.
Summer pre-employment training will be implemented at six sites. This school-age pre-employment training module was developed for part-time staff members or employees new to school-age care.
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Arkansas School-Age "Links"
Distribution of information to school-age providers will be presented through six issues of School-Age LINKS. The newsletter is a tool to provide current information relevant to school-age care, upcoming professional development opportunities, and to serve as a vehicle for networking.
School-Age "Links." March-April 2009
School-Age "Links." January-February 2009
School-Age "Links." November-December 2008
School-Age "Links." September-October 2008
School-Age "Links." July-August 2008
School-Age "Links." November-December 2007
School-Age "Links." October 2007
Lights On Afterschool was launched in October 2000 and is celebrated annually nationwide to call attention to the importance of afterschool programs for America’s children, families and communities. Lights On Afterschool Planning Guide may also be found here.
School-Age NOTES is the current contributing publisher.
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School-Age Specialist Certificate
The School-Age Child Care Specialist Certificate is a great beginning toward continued professional development. The specialist training provides an opportunity to meet minimum licensing requirements and to focus training in a specialist area.
Every person seeking a Child Care Specialist Certificate will participate in three types of training:
- Child Development
- Specialist Training
- Professional Development
School-Age Specialist Training consists of twenty (20) hours of training in one of the specialty areas. The School-Age area addresses children age six through thirteen and is presented in five (4) four-hour modules.
Click here to learn more about the Child Care Specialist Certificate.
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Training and Technical Assistance
Training and technical assistance is provided to school-age care programs identified as in need of support by the Child Care Appeal Review Board, Child Care Licensing Specialists/Supervisor, Special Nutrition Program, Early Childhood Education Commission, or self initiated.
Training and technical assistance permits programs to receive technical assistance to help the program and staff develop their own resources for continual growth and improvement. It also helps child care programs achieve a higher level of quality services to children and families.
Click here to learn more about Training and Technical Assistance.
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Statewide School-Age Conferences
Two statewide conferences are provided for school-age providers to be trained by nationally known presenters in the field of school-age care. Coordinated in the central part of the state, the conferences will address the assessed needs of school-age care providers.
AOSN Network Statewide Afterschool Conference (flyer)
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Program Overview