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Focus on Research
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Articles Club Update
On March 11th, the Articles Club met to discuss research from the Harvard Family Research Project on how to best engage parents and caregivers in afterschool and build family-centered programs. A successful afterschool program meets parents/caregivers where they are and allows them to participate in a variety of different ways. Using this multifaceted definition of family engagement suggests that parents/caregivers' participation in their children's learning is flexible and can move from more basic to more advanced. Strategies to engage parents/caregivers include:
- focus on families' assets
- solicit family feedback
- train staff to be family-focused and establish open communication with parents/caregivers
- pay staff to develop creative opportunities for family engagement (weekend field trips, cultural events, parent forums, etc)
- help families develop skills to advocate for themselves and their children (in school and in the community)
(Adapted from Focus on Families! How to Build and Support Family-Centered Practices in Afterschool. Harvard Family Research Project. 2006).
CHANGE: Please note the next Articles Club meeting will be on May 13th, noon, at the Afterschool Partnership, 4240 Canal Street. There will be no April meeting. We will be discussing America's Afterschool Choice: The Prime Time for Juvenile Crime, Or Youth Enrichment and Achievement (Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, 2000), available at: www.fightcrime.org/reports/as2000.pdf
New National Research
Visit Child Trends to view Child Trends newest study that shows the need for active recruitment of children in high-risks families to facilitate their involvement in afterschool activities.
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Partner Announcements
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SOS NOLA
How well do you know your neighborhood school? Save Our Schools NOLA has developed Public Schools of New Orleans Close-Ups which provides current information for each school including contact information, admissions criteria, interactive map, school demographics, programs, special education services, student performance data, and school facilities. View PSNO Close-Ups on www.SaveOurSchoolsNOLA.org or call Save Our Schools NOLA at (504) 309-8509.
Americorps/VISTA
VISTA is now accepting applications for 150 full-time summer positions to work with youth in New Orleans. If you work with youth 18 years old and older please encourage them to apply.
- Positions begin June 1 and continue through
August 3
- Living allowance of $865 per month
- $1,000 Segal education award for those who complete 10 weeks of service
Visit www.volunteerlouisiana.gov for applications and complete information.
Job1, Youth Career Development Project
This is a great opportunity for youth, ages 16-24, with little to no work history offered through the Job1 office. Participants will learn construction skills and community service skills to help rebuild their communities while earning money. For complete details and enrollment information, please call Leslie Smith - Project Manager at 504.237.9063.
NORD Crescent City Lights Youth Theater
Join the Youth Theatre for their next great production, Sleepover showing April 4-19, 2008 at the NORD Ty Tracy Theatre, Gallier Hall, 1st floor, 545 St. Charles Avenue. Visit www.crescentcitylights.org.
Celebration of the African-American Child
Visit the Umoja Village at the Celebration of the African-American Child in Congo Square, Armstrong Park on Saturday, April 5, 2008, 11am-5pm. Free Admission.
- Learn Afrocentric educational instruction
- Artistic expression
- Cultural enlightenment
Healthy Kids Day
On Saturday, April 12, 2008, 10am-2pm at Andrew H. Wilson Charter School, 1111 Milan Street, YMCA of Greater New Orleans will celebrate Healthy Kids Day. The day is a great opportunity for families to engage in play and learn more about the importance of children's health. If you would like your organization to be represented at the event please contact Pam Davis, 504-568-9622.
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