Quality Components
| Component 1 Goal Setting, Strong Management, & Sustainability |
Community coordination and collaboration are key to running successful programs. Programs must focus on their goals, have solid organizational structures, implement effective management & sustainability actions & meet legal requirements. |
| Component 2 Quality Afterschool Staffing |
All programs need staff who are qualified & committed, have appropriate experience & realistic expectations, & can interact positively with regular school staff. |
| Component 3 Safety, Health, & Nutrition |
Programs must create safe places with adequate space & materials, & they must meet participants' nutritional needs. |
| Component 4 Effective Partnerships |
Programs must collaborate among diverse partners: parents, educators, community residents, law enforcement, service providers, community & civic organizations, colleges, employers, arts & cultural institutes, museums, park & recreation services, & public officials. |
| Component 5 Strong Family Involvement |
Success depends on the involvement of both families & the community. Families & youth must be involved in program planning. Programs must attend to the needs of working parents. |
| Component 6 Enriching Learning Opportunities |
Learning opportunities must be engaging & can provide enrichment through art, music, drama, service learning, & other authentic experiences that complement the school day curriculum. |
| Component 7 Linkages between Regular-day & Afterschool Personnel |
Quality programs actively support & coordinate their programs with schools in ways that support true partnering. This includes shared planning time & fully coordinated use of facilities & resources. |
| Component 8 Evaluation of Progress & Effectiveness |
Programs must have continuous evaluation so that all partners can gauge success based on the program's clear goals. Data must be used for improvement, the program must be continuously monitored, and evaluation must incorporate multiple measures of success that reflect program goals. |