Join 7,500 communities and 1 million Americans on October 22 in celebrating afterschool programs at the Afterschool Alliance's 10th annual Lights On Afterschool! This nationwide event calls attention to the importance of afterschool programs and the resources required to keep the lights on and the doors open. The Forum is proud to be a Lights On Afterschool National Supporting Organization.
Too many children -- 14.3 million -- are missing out on afterschool opportunities. Participate in Lights On Afterschool and help call attention to this important issue.
To learn more about Lights On Afterschool, register an event, access Event Planning Tools, or find out what is going on in your area, visit www.afterschoolalliance.org. Those who register will receive free posters and their events will be promoted to media and the public. Lights On Afterschool is a project of the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to afterschool programs.
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Now through December, the Florida Afterschool Network (FAN) will host 15 statewide seminars on the Florida Standards on Quality Afterschool Programs. Visit www.myfan.org to register. These seminars are free to afterschool providers through generous funding from The Agency for Workforce Innovation-Office of Early Learning. The Forum is thrilled to serve as the training coordinator for the FAN Quality Standards seminars, and all questions can be directed to Jenn Faber at 239-489-4386 or jfaber@thechildrensforum.com.
The Department of Children & Families Child Care Services Program Office is now offering a new online course called Standards for Quality Afterschool Programs. Developed in partnership with the Florida Afterschool Network (FAN), this course provides staff and administrators with standards and best practices that will assist them in achieving quality afterschool programming.
The Florida Afterschool Network has just released their newly created Quality Self-Assessment and Improvement Guide for Afterschool Programs. This document will assist providers in self-assessing their program to identify areas of strength and needs for improvement. Download a copy of the guide at www.myfan.org. FAN is currently working with DCF to create a 4-hour module on how to best use this new self-assessment and improvement guide, so stay tuned for additional online course availability.
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) administers the state statutes, administrative rules, and sets licensing regulations for the operation of school-age programs in Florida. By comparison, the Florida Afterschool Network (FAN) developed a set of quality standards for the evaluation of school-age programs. In doing so, FAN seeks to establish benchmarks of quality that ensure appropriate outcomes for children.
In June 2009, FAN contracted with the Children's Forum to conduct an analysis of DCF licensing regulations and FAN's quality standards for school-age programs. DCF and FAN have slightly different roles in Florida, but the analysis can serve as a guide to increase awareness of recommended best practices and inform future policy discussions. A synopsis of the findings in 15 areas of comparison reveals differences among the various sets of criteria:
Licensure and Regulation
DCF: Afterschool programs serving school-age children are not required to be licensed if they meet specific qualifying criteria. Exempted programs may become licensed if they choose to meet all of the applicable licensing standards.
FAN: Programs should have established written goals that are measurable, aligned with the mission statement, and directed to achieve sustainability.
Ratio
DCF: For children 5 years of age and older, there must be one child care personnel for every 25 children. This ratio requirement is common throughout the state except in Sarasota County, where the ratio is one child care personnel for every 22 children.
FAN: Programs should have an overall direct service staff to child ratio that does not exceed one adult for every 20 children and youth at any time.
Administration and Organization
DCF: In the absence of the operator, there must be a staff person at least 21 years of age in charge of the school-age child care program and on the premises at all times. All child care personnel must comply with the program's written disciplinary policies. Such policies shall include standards that prohibit children from being subjected to discipline that is severe, humiliating, frightening, or associated with food, rest, or toileting.
FAN: Programs must provide documentation that program goals are reviewed annually and updated as appropriate, and that the program has established written family, staff, and volunteer policies and procedures.
Teacher Credentials
DCF: School-age child care programs are exempt from the staff credential requirement. Level II background screening, statewide criminal records checks, local criminal records checks, and employment history checks are required for all personnel. All programs must have at least one staff member with current and valid certificate(s) of course completion for first aid training and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedures. One staff member satisfying these training requirements shall be present at all times that children are in the care of the program, both on-site and on field trips.
FAN: Programs should have written documentation that all staff have received and been cleared through Level II background screening and drug testing. In addition, programs should have written documentation that all volunteers have received and been cleared through Level I background screening. All results of background screening and drug testing should be kept in secure personnel files. Programs should have staff certified in CPR and First Aid available and accessible to children and youth at all times.
Administrator Credentials
DCF: All licensed child care facilities must have a credentialed director who is on-site a majority of hours that the facility is in operation. Applicants for a license to operate a child care facility or a license for a change of ownership of a child care facility must document that the facility director has an active Director Credential prior to issuance of the license.
FAN: Not addressed.
Pre-Service Training
DCF: All licensed child care personnel must begin fulfilling the requirements for 40 hours of Introductory Child Care Training within the first 90 days of employment and must complete the introductory training within 12 months from the date training begins and may not exceed 15 months from the date of employment in the child care industry.
FAN: New staff are given a comprehensive orientation to the program, including review of the agency's mission and philosophy, job descriptions, personnel policies, and operating procedures.
In-Service Training
DCF: All licensed child care facility personnel must complete a minimum of 10 clock-hours or one CEU of in-service training annually.
FAN: Program staff working with children and youth should be well-trained and knowledgeable. Programs should establish and implement an overall training plan based upon competencies and position classifications. The training plan should ensure staff participates in a minimum of 15 hours of relevant training per year.
Curriculum Implementation
DCF: Programs must make available toys, equipment, furnishings and activities suitable to each child's age and development and of a quantity suitable for each child to be involved in activities. Toys, equipment and furnishings must be safe and maintained in a sanitary condition.
FAN: A variety of planned activities should be available so that all children and youth may participate in an age-appropriate manner. The program should include a sufficient amount of materials and equipment that are developmentally appropriate, accessible, and in good working order.
Literacy
DCF: Not addressed.
Note: Pinellas County requires that books and creative materials must be available and sufficient for the number of children and for the age group under care.
FAN: Staff should provide opportunities for children and youth to read, write, have discussions, and participate in activities that improve learning skills.
Health and Safety
DCF: During the hours the program is in operation, no portion of the building shall be used for any activity which endangers the health and safety of children. Child care personnel must remain responsible for the supervision of the children in care and capable of responding to emergencies, and are accountable for children at all times. Programs are required to meet an extensive list of requirements for the health, safety, and nutrition of children.
FAN: Programs should have written health, safety, and nutrition policies available to families. A written medical policy should be present, which includes at a minimum a plan to ensure medication is provided in the original container, maintained in appropriate storage, and dispensed as prescribed by a physician with parent(s) written authorization. Programs must meet additional health, safety, and nutrition requirements.
Indoor Environment
DCF: Programs licensed after October 1, 1992 must have a minimum of 35 square feet of usable indoor floor space for each child. All rooms must be kept clean, adequately ventilated and in good repair. Cleaning shall not take place while rooms are occupied by children except for general clean-up activities which are a part of the daily routine.
FAN: The program environment should provide dedicated usable indoor space for all activities during hours of operation. Space should be arranged so a variety of social, recreational and educational activities can go on at the same time without much disruption. Adequate and convenient storage space for equipment, materials, and personal possessions of children and youth and staff should be available.
Outdoor Environment
DCF: All licensed programs must have a minimum of 45 square feet of usable, safe and sanitary outdoor play area per each school-age child. A minimum outside play area shall be provided for one-half of the licensed capacity. All playground equipment must be securely anchored unless portable or stationary by design, in good repair, maintained in safe condition, and placed to ensure safe usage by children. Maintenance shall include checks, at least every other month, of all supports above and below the ground and all connectors and moving parts. Permanent or stationary playground equipment must have a ground cover or other protective surface under the equipment that provides resilience and is maintained to reduce the incidence of injuries to children in the event of falls. Programs must also meet additional requirements for playground fencing, shade, safety, and supervision.
FAN: The program environment should provide dedicated usable outdoor space for all activities during hours of operation. Space should be arranged so a variety of social, recreational and educational activities can go on at the same time without much disruption. Adequate and convenient storage space for equipment, materials, and personal possessions of children and youth and staff should be available.
Family Communication
DCF: Programs must provide the parent or legal guardian with access, in person and by telephone, to the program during the program's normal hours of operation or during the time the child is in care. Families must also be provided with information regarding their rights and responsibilities regarding the health, safety, and nutrition of their children, such as with regard to the dispensing of medication and in the event of accidents or illness.
FAN: Programs should develop, implement, and maintain a current plan for family involvement. The plan should include regularly scheduled activities, so parents may participate as appropriate. In addition, programs should welcome family participation within established visitation guidelines; support families by connecting them with community resources through information sharing; and provide newsletters, notes, and/or bulletin boards to share and communicate information.
Staff Communication
DCF: Not addressed.
FAN: Staff should engage other staff in an appropriate and professional manner in order to serve as role models for children and youth. In addition, the program administration should communicate appropriately with all supervisory and direct service staff and should conduct monthly staff meetings with agendas and documented staff attendance.
Staff-Student Communication
DCF: Not addressed.
Note: Broward County requires that staff members be available to children at all times for support or assistance in accordance with their age and required needs.
FAN: Programs should involve children and youth, families, and staff to plan and implement suitable activities, which are consistent with the program's philosophy. Policies and procedures should be in place to ensure warm greetings, smooth transitions, and organized arrivals and departures for all children and youth. Staff should engage with all children and youth in positive and respectful ways through listening, acceptance, and appreciation. Children and youth should have opportunities to develop a sense of belonging.
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