Presenters: Rebecca Atnafou and Justin Brown, Baltimore Safe and Sound Campaign Rick Connor, B.BRAVO for Youth, Balt

1. Workshop Title: Quality Out-of-School Program Development: Two Case Studies with Statewide and National Implications – Baltimore's After School Strategy and Maryland's HotSpots Initiative Presenters: Rebecca Atnafou and Justin Brown, Baltimore Safe and Sound Campaign Rick Connor, B.BRAVO for Youth, Baltimore, Maryland Description: Through interactive exercises addressing issues and problems that arose in the development and implementation of Baltimore's After School Strategy and Maryland's HotSpots Initiative, participants will gain understanding of issues on multiple levels. They will have hands-on experience developing a system of quality after school programs, learn about research-based programming in youth development and address issues of implementation of quality standards, program monitoring, technical assistance and training, and evaluation. These initiatives have had a tremendous impact in securing funds from foundations and public agencies to support and expand programs statewide, and are setting national examples for quality standards. They are influencing policy, including the passing of the Maryland After School Opportunity Act and Fund. These are research-based initiatives that include quality standards, technical assistance, monitoring, and evaluation as key components. In the Fall of 1997, based on 18 months of youth and citizen-led organizing– communicating with citizens on street corners, convening community conversations, researching programs that work, conducting briefings and ranking priorities – the Action Plan for Children and Youth was developed. The public selected five priorities, one of which was to create a citywide system that provides Baltimore’s young people, ages 6 to 18, with recreational, cultural and intellectual experiences during the hours when they are not in school. The out-of/after-school strategy is part of Baltimore’s larger Safe and Sound Campaign to improve the quality of life for all children and youth. In centers, leagues, parks, cultural institutions, homes and places of employment and service, young people have the opportunity and encouragement to build skills and explore their special talents. These expanded and improved out-of/after-school opportunities are expected, within five years, to impact the following core indicators of youth wellbeing: reducing youth violence; reducing violence against and victimization of young people; increasing school attendance and performance; increasing the high school graduation rate; and reducing adolescent childbearing. Contact:Rebecca Atnafou, Baltimore Safe and Sound Campaign 23 Read St. Baltimore, Maryland 21202 (410) 625-7976