After School Programs How They Can Become Agents

After School Programs… How They Can Become Agents for Changing an ESC’s Approach to Service Delivery Sarah Wright 21 st Century Program Director 64 -swright@seovec. org 740 -342 -3502

Discussion points Introduction Traditional Hierarchy Model Direct Service Model Wrap-Up Evaluation

Program history and grant overview The Perry-Hocking ESC began providing after school services in 2004; operating via 21 st Century Community Learning Center and TANF grants. The program serves about 500 youth and families, grades K-8, in Perry and Fairfield Counties each year. We provide tutoring, homework help, enrichment, and club-based programming to students; and many resources to families (gas vouchers, resource library, family nights). In 2009 three 21 st Century Community Learning Center grants were awarded, allowing us an opportunity to change our focus and identity

Traditional Organizational Model Director Site Coordinator Tutors Aides Students and Families

Traditional Organizational Model Characteristics of this model… Top-down in flow of information Focused, clear chain of command Made up of silos of teams Culture largely influenced by management and leadership (good or bad) ◦ Lag time in feedback and sense of organizational environment/culture ◦ ◦

Traditional Organizational Model Under this model we were experiencing… We wanted a world where… ◦ Uneven distribution of work and influence ◦ Culture without employee and student buy-in ◦ Delays in ability to accomplish program goals ◦ Students and employees contributed regularly to the work of the organization ◦ All staff were focused on common goals and motivated by their accomplishment ◦ Communication flowed in real-time fashion throughout the organization (up-down, across, down-up) ◦ Students and families achieve goals, aided by a comprehensive collection of services and supports provided by our program

Direct-Service Model Berne Union (K-8) STUDENT & FAMILY GOALS Before School M - TH Tutoring (grades 35) After School M-TH Tutoring (grades 6 -8) Homework Help and Clubs (K-8) New Lexington City (K-5) STUDENT & FAMILY GOALS Before School M-TH Tutoring (grades 35) After School M-TH Homewor k Help and Clubs (K-5) 1 PT Family/Community Liaison 1 FT Site Coordinator 1 FT Program Director 1 FT Program Supervisor 1 FT Program Assistant Crooksville (1 -8) STUDENT & FAMILY GOALS Before School M-TH Tutoring (grades 35) After School M-TH Tutoring (grades 6 -8) Homework Help and Clubs (1 -8) 1 PT Family/Community Liaison 1 FT Site Coordinator (job shared)

Direct-Service Model Basic Steps ◦ ◦ ◦ Assessment Strategic Planning Service Redesign Organizational Structure Communication Planning Evaluation and Monitoring

Direct-Service Model Overall Results ◦ Staff report feeling more supported in work ◦ Better implementation of planned activities by front -line staff ◦ Multiple comments from school-day staff on increased program quality ◦ Better communication across program sites resulting in better, real-time collaboration on key issues (programming, staffing, discipline, incidents, purchasing)

Direct-Service Model Results ◦ Students engagement rates went up ◦ Staff turnover rate went down significantly ◦ Better progression toward goals

Direct-Service Model Next Steps ◦ Professional Development – Peer Coaching Model and Staff Incentive Program ◦ Communication – Secure website for line-staff to collaborate daily and access program resources and best practices ◦ Continuous Improvement Planning – use data to assess program efficacy and make improvements as needed

The “Direct-Service” Model Approach Across the Field In Educational Service Centers In School Districts In Programs In our Perry County Preschool Programs (Michelle Unger, Director)

The “Direct-Service” Model Approach Across the Field How might this model benefit your organization or team? Is there an opportunity around you now where this model is needed? What results could it produce for you?

Wrap-Up and Evaluation Questions Evaluation

Got Questions? ? ? Sarah Wright Perry-Hocking ESC 1605 Airport Rd. New Lexington, OH 43764 740 -342 -3502 64 -swright@seovec. org