Sustainability: Raising Funds to Support Afterschool
Coach: Christine Graham, specialist in Nonprofit Management and Fundraising
As grant funds become more precarious, it is becoming increasingly important for afterschool programs to actively seek out local and individual support. This ISS-AP strand will examine and explain the ways in which afterschool programs can develop an appealing and successful fundraising campaign to tap the resources of its local and regional community. With the intention of creating efficient and effective fundraising plans, we will discuss proven theories and behaviors in fundraising, donor motivations and ways of giving, and the best methods for fundraising from local philanthropists, families and businesses. Time will be allocated to addressing the need for manageable timelines/ workplans that can be implemented by busy professionals.  The focus of this strand will be on fundraising from individuals and businesses within the communities in which afterschool programs provide support. The individualized coaching within this strand will provide time for each participant’s local concerns to be discussed.  Participants will leave this strand with a realistic plan for fundraising success. This strand complements the fall sustainability strand (Financial Management in Afterschool) for those interested in a year-long experience focusing on the finances and sustainability of their afterschool program. This strand is appropriate for K– 12 programs.

Science, Engineering, and Technology in Afterschool
Coach: Sarah Kleinman. University of Vermont 4-H Program
The need for high-quality SET (Science, Engineering, and Technology) learning within afterschool, and the development of systems to support SET programming, is critical to engaging students today and supporting tomorrow’s global leaders. This ISS-AP strand will support afterschool leaders in creating an environment conducive to SET-based learning. Critical components covered will include: conducting needs assessments and developing evaluation criteria for SET learning, developing and strengthening community partnerships, enhancing educational environments, and strengthening staff development. Staff training will be offered as a component to the individualized support offered through this ISS-AP strand providing curriculum support through the resources available from the University of Vermont Extension 4-H Program. This strand is appropriate for K—12 programs.

Building Literacy Skills in Afterschool
Coach: Barb Russ, Winooski School District
Afterschool programs provide a vehicle for boosting and supporting student literacy. This strand will focus on best practices around specific literacy building strategies, and provide participants with guidance around infusing literacy activities into afterschool programming. We know there is a need for literacy rich afterschool activities to be tied to the school day for maximum impact to be realized. Participants will learn how to organize successful book clubs, examine ways to integrate science and literacy into programming, and learn how to create a strategy game room with a focus on supporting literacy skills while having fun. Participants in this strand will develop plans for including literacy activities into afterschool programs, including strategies to work more closely with school day literacy teachers and administrators.  Staff training will be offered as a component to the individualized support offered through this ISS-AP strand.  This strand is appropriate for K—12 programs, but an emphasis on upper elementary and middle school is expected.

Positive Discipline Techniques
Coaches: Mary Rice Boothe and Eric Gurna, Development Without Limits
When young people are comfortable, unafraid and engaged there is less need for you to impose order. In this ISS-AP strand, participants will explore ways to create program environments where children experience mutual respect, empowerment and excitement for learning. We will discuss discipline strategies based on solutions instead of punishment, encouragement instead of fear. Effective group management is one of the most important skills to master for working with young people. Participants will learn the key elements of effective group management, including the creative use of rules, giving participants interesting roles, and group activities that help students interact more and increase teamwork. You will also learn to help students communicate more effectively when things don’t go their way.  This strand will encompass strategies for effective communication and collaboration between staff working within afterschool programs, as the modeling of these skills affects young people in our programs significantly. This strand complements the fall sustainability strand (Create Capacity to Engage, Teach, and Build Community) for those interested in a year-long experience focusing on best practices in afterschool. This strand is appropriate for K—12 programs.