Resources
The Vermont School Age Care Network works with many other groups both in Vermont and across the nation to advance the field of school age care. Below are our partners and other resources you will find helpful. If you have anything to add to this list, please contact the Vermont School Age Care Network Coordinator at vsacn@mjccvt.org.
National Resources:
National AfterSchool Association: http://naaweb.yourmembership.com/Default.asp?
The National AfterSchool Association is the leading voice of the afterschool profession dedicated to development, education, and care of children and youth during their out of school hours.
Afterschool Alliance: http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/
The Afterschool Alliance is working to ensure that all children have access to affordable, quality afterschool programs. Afterschool programs are critical to children and families today, yet the need for programs is far from being met.
Council on Accreditation: http://www.coaafterschool.org/
The Council on Accreditation (COA) partners with human service organizations worldwide to improve service delivery outcomes by developing, applying, and promoting accreditation standards. The COA is the national accreditation organization for afterschool programs.
National Institute on Out-of-School Time: http://www.niost.org/index.php
Our mission is to ensure that all children, youth, and families have access to high quality programs, activities, and opportunities during non-school hours. We believe that these experiences are essential to the healthy development of children and youth, who then can become effective and capable members of society. Our work bridges the worlds of research and practice.
Vermont Resources:
Child Development Division, Agency of Human Services: http://dcf.vermont.gov/cdd
The Child Development Division's goal is to increase accessibility to high-quality child care and child development services. We do this by working with programs within communities to coordinate and deliver services that meet families' needs.
Vermont Center for Afterschool Excellence: http://vermontafterschool.org/
The mission of the Vermont Center for Afterschool Excellence is to support and sustain innovative learning opportunities that extend beyond the school day for all Vermont’s children and youth.
The Center works with afterschool programs, advocates, and partners throughout the state to strengthen out-of-school time programming for children and youth in Vermont, to expand the number and types of programs being offered, and to improve access for all children and youth regardless of race, creed, color, religion, sexual orientation, family income, family situation, or geographic location.
VT 21st Century Community Learning Centers: http://education.vermont.gov/new/html/pgm_federal/21st_CCLC.html
Vermont's 21st CCLC program seeks to enhance students' academic achievement and to foster lifelong interests in the arts, recreation and other areas through high-quality, out-of-school learning opportunities.
Kids are Priority One: http://www.kidsarepriorityone.org/index.html
The Kids Are Priority One Coalition is Vermont's statewide early childhood coalition. Since 2000, it has brought together organizations, businesses and individuals who are committed to ensuring that all Vermont's children get a good start. Kids Are Priority One's mission is to ensure that every child in Vermont gets a good start.
The mission of the Voices for Vermont’s Children is to promote public policy that enhances the lives of children and youth in Vermont.
The VCTF promotes the well-being of children and families in Vermont by raising funds for community-based prevention programs, including afterschool programs.
Northern Lights: http://northernlights.vsc.edu/index.html
Northern Lights goals are to:
There are twelve child care resource and referral (R&R) agencies located throughout Vermont's fourteen counties. Each of these agencies is a member of VACCRRA, Vermont's child care resource and referral network. VACCRRA member agencies share a common commitment to the development and support of quality child care options for Vermont children and their families. Learn more about how Vermont Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies supports member agencies.
STARS (Step Ahead Recognition System) is Vermont’s quality recognition system for child care, preschool, and afterschool programs. Programs that participate in stars are stepping ahead — going above and beyond state regulations to provide professional services that meet the needs of children and families.
Vermont Child Care Industry and Careers Council: www.vtchildcareindustry.org/index.html
VCCICC works to enhance the knowledge, skills and status of child care providers by offering the Apprenticeship Program and other professional development activities; advocating for salaries commensurate with expertise; and collaborating, coordinating and linking with other leaders and organizations in order to build quality and sustain growth of the child care industry.