WHY WE CARE ABOUT QUALITY
The field of after school care and education is growing in leaps and bounds and receiving an enourmous amount of public attention and scrutiny that is unprecedented. Along with this growth, there is an emerging body of compelling research about what works and what doesn't work.
What we do know is that quality matters if programs are to achieve positive outcomes for children and youth.
Explore the links above for information on training opportunities, best practice guidelines and tools you can use.
The CT After School Network is an affiliate of the National AfterSchool Association
NAA ACCREDITATION
Program Improvement and Accreditation
In 1998, the National AfterSchool Association launched a nationally recognized system of Program Improvement and Accreditation-based on the organization's Standards-that promotes quality in afterschool programs serving children and youth, 5 to 14 years. The Accreditation system provides an objective standard of evaluation and has been accepted by state agencies establishing tiered reimbursement for quality programs. To date, more than 550 programs around the world have received and maintain NAA Accreditation.
The Accreditation Facilitation Project is pleased to offer programs the opportunity to secure funds in support of NAA Accreditation. For several years, the AFP has offered this resource to assist school-age programs to make progress toward NAA Accreditation through funding from the Department of Social Services. Download the application forms here.
Please note that there are changes taking place with regard to NAA Accreditation. These changes are explained on the NAA website by President and CEO Judy Nee and Director of Accreditation Stephanie Brumbeloe.
Please visit www.naaweb.org/accreditation.html for information that is critical to your understanding of accreditation and to the impact these changes may have on your program.