Orientation for
Afterschool Professionals
Presented by
University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension
4-H Youth Development Program
UNHCE/PGregory/August 2010
Who are we?
Why are we here?
Training Goals
Understand QUALITY
 Examine RULES
 Explore PROFESSIONALISM
 Focus on YOUTH
 Consider FAMILY & COMMUNITY

Keys to Success
in the Field
 Program
& Environment
 Professionalism & Leadership
Child & Youth Development
Family, School & Community
Ground Rules
•Experience the day!
•Have fun!
•Respect others
•Share the air
•Tend to own needs
•Silence technology
3-2-1 Letter to Myself
3 things I will start doing or will change
2 things I learned that I already do well
1 thing I will do to continue learning
What do we
already
know?
Research Tells Us
Youth Need…
 Variety
 Asset
of programs
building experiences
Youth Acquire Assets
Through …
Exposure to positive
 Experiences
 Settings
 People
(8 Essential Elements)
Key Element #1
Caring Adult
Supportive
 Positive
 Responsive
 Communication
 Consistency

Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU), 1994
Key Element #2
Inclusive Environment
Diversity
 Cultural
celebrations
 Respect
 Identity

Mask making at Seacoast Youth Services, 2008
Key Element #3
Safe Place
Emotional safety
 Physical safety
 Screening
 Ground rules
 Trust

Urban forestry, Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU), 1992
Key Element #4
Learning Opportunities
Choices
 Variety
 Experiential
 Age-appropriate
 Challenging

Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU), 1993
Key Element #5
Mastery of Skills
Intentional
 Peer teaching
 Recognition
 Age-appropriate

Making paper, Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU), 1992
Key Element #6
Active Participants in the Future
Empowerment
 Planning
 Networking
 Challenges
 Careers

Maximus Raceway, community partner,
Seacoast Youth Services, 2009
Key Element #7
Self-Determination / Leadership
Leadership
 Voice
 Hands-on
 Self-reliance

Corn Maze, Seacoast Youth Services, 2006
Key Element #8
Service to Others
Project planning
 Giving / doing
 Processing

Summer of Service, Seacoast Youth Services, 2008
BELONGING
MASTERY
Positive Relationship with a caring
adult
Engagement in Learning
Opportunity for Mastery
An inclusive environment
A safe environment
INDEPENDENCE
GENOROSITY
Opportunity to see oneself as an
active participant in the future
Opportunity to value and practice
service for others
Opportunity for self-determination
Core Knowledge Area #1
Program & Environment
Power of Environments
Environments
teach us about
the value and
knowledge of
those who
create them.
Chipping items out of frozen ice. ASOP training, Amy Upton, 2010
What is Implied?
Pancake making – preparing own snacks. ASOP training, 2010
Planning
Each
environment
influences
those who
use it.
ASOP training, Amy Upton, 2010.
Environments may be…
 Over-stimulating
 Boring
 Calming
 Agitating
Quiet space, ASOP Training, Amy Upton, 2010
Fostering creativity …
with a variety
building materials
ASOP Training, Amy Upton, 2010
Teamwork…
Art with melted crayons, ASOP Training, Amy Upton 2010
Key point…
Learning environments that are:
– well
designed
– structured
– engaging
foster positive behavior and
create a culture of creativity.
Learning Strengths








Verbal - Linguistic
Mathematical - Logical
Visual - Spatial
Bodily / Kinesthetic
Musical
Interpersonal
Intrapersonal
Naturalistic
Diversity in Learning Styles
These invitations
appeal to the senses
of smell and touch.
ASOP Training, Amy Upton, 2010
Core Knowledge Area #2
Professionalism & Leadership
•Standards of Quality – licensing
•Reporting child abuse /neglect
•Professionalism - credential
Child Care Licensing
Programs for ages 0-18
 Baseline standards of safety and quality
 License programs (not people)

–
–
–
Safety, First Aid, CPR
Staff Background, Positions, Training
Ratios
Safety Rules
Trip and fall hazards
 Emotional safety
 First Aid & CPR

1 staff currently certification / 20 children

Fingerprinting
All staff over age 17 by 1st day
Licensing Ratios –
for ages 60 months + (age 5+)

Maximum 45 children / room

And…
1 - 15 children :
1 group leader
16 - 30 children:
1 group leader
1 assistant group leader
31 - 45 children:
1 site director
2 assistant group leaders
Licensing:
Direct Service Professionals

Required Annual Training Hours
–
–

Revised in 2013
Based on Levels in the Lattice System
Professional Development Defined
–
–
–
–
Includes Self Study
Face to face professional development relevant
to afterschool
Minimum of 12 Hrs per year Level 1
Minimum of 18 Hrs per year Level 2-6
Child Abuse:
MANDATED Reporting
Anytime you suspect there is
abuse and/or neglect you are
mandated to report!
Mandated Reporting
Internal protocols (i.e. informing a superior or
requesting superior’s permission prior to reporting)
are NOT the law or DCYF policy
–
–
If unable to meet with supervisor immediately,
make the report to DCYF and follow up with
your supervisor later
If you suspect abuse and/or neglect you are
mandated to report even if your supervisor
does not agree!
You Are Protected if You Report!
Anyone participating in good faith in
the making of a report pursuant to
this chapter is immune from any
liability, civil or criminal, that might
otherwise be imposed.
RSA 169-C:31 and RSA 161-F:47
You can request that your name
be kept confidential!
Child Abuse: What to Report
 Physical
abuse
 Sexual abuse
 Neglect
 Emotional or psychological
maltreatment
To Report Suspected Abuse
Child Abuse Report Line
1-800-894-5533(in state)
603-271-6562(out of state)
After hours, weekends, holidays
CALL 911
DHHS Resources
Licensing website:

http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/oos/cclu/
Credential website:
http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcyf/cdb/profdev.htm
Child Abuse Reporting contact:
http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcyf/cps/
Afterschool Credential
Benefits to Individual




Recognizes professional knowledge, experience
Verifies you are qualified
Defines a ladder for professional growth
Defines knowledge and skills to deepen practice
Benefits to program

Enables program to prove qualifications of staff
Core Knowledge & Competencies*
* Adopted by NH Afterschool Professional Development System
from the National AfterSchool Association (NAA)
1. Child and Youth Growth and Development
2. Learning Environment and Curriculum
3. Child/Youth Observation and Assessment
4. Interactions with Children and Youth
5. Youth Engagement
6. Cultural Competency and Responsiveness
7. Family, School, and Community Relationships
8. Safety and Wellness
9. Program Planning and Development
10. Professional Development and Leadership
NH Afterschool Professional
Development System (2013)
Child Development Bureau
Division for Children, Youth and Families
NH Dept of Health and Human Services.
http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcyf/cdb/profdev.htm
My Lifeline
DOB
Current date
DOB +70
Core Knowledge Area #3
Child & Youth Development
Developmental
stages are
predictable
sequences of
growth and
change
Seacoast Youth Services, 2008
How old is a child?
8 years……………………………
7 years…………………………..
6 years…………………………………………………………………………….
5 years…………………………………………………………………………….
4 years…………………………………………………………………………….
Chronological
Age
Physical
Age
Mental
Age
Social
Age
Emotional
Age
Ages & Stages of Development
Grades K-2
 Grades 3-5
 Grades 6-8
 Grades 9-12

Characteristics
and
Teaching Tips
Ages & Stages
Keys to successful
programming:
–
–
Age is not a predictor of
maturity
Growth may proceed at
different rates
Core Knowledge Area #4
Family, Community & School
Programs that
reach family,
community,
and schools
make a
difference.
Seacoast Youth Services, 2007
Ecological Model (Urie Bronfenbrenner)
Society
Community
Relationships
Family, Peers
Youth
Keys to Success with Youth
Society
Community
Relationships
Family, Peers
Positive Activities
Youth
Positive Peers
Strong Family
Involving Parents
• Why is it
important?
•How can
we engage
parents?
Hillsboro Kids in Gear, staff, parents, community partners, 2006
Family Involvement Ideas
Invent a
game!!
Now what
do we
know?
Final Details
Certificate of
Attendance
NH Afterschool Orientation
3 hours
____________________________
(your name)
Todays Date__________
Workshop Trainers
_____________________
_____________________
Thank You!
Presented by
In partnership with
New Hampshire Afterschool Coalition (NHASC)