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Our Mission
To take After-school programming to the next level - providing opportunities for youth and their families to develop technology and social skills for living, learning, leisure, work, and information technology careers.
ACAC fulfills its mission by
- Establishing community technology centers within rural and low-income communities, adhering to a policy of youth/parental participation as active contributors and decision makers, rather than passive recipients of services.
- Offering quality programs in Workforce Development, Entrepreneurship, Critical Thinking/Life Skills, Adult Basic/ Secondary Education, and Information Technology
- Public Internet Access and Open-Lab Time
- Pre-School and Family Programs
- After-School Programs featuring Academic Tutoring, Inquiry/Project-based Learning Opportunities and Leisure Activities.
- Collaborating with local and national organizations working in the allied field of youth development, converting “best practices” and promising research into operational reality.
Our Goals and Standards
Provide youths opportunities for . . .
1. Membership and Mattering: Opportunities to be responsible, to belong to groups, to work cooperatively in groups, to be a valued member of groups, to lead, to develop a sense of community.
2. Reflection and Expression: Opportunities to be heard, to discuss, reflect on ideas, to express self through a variety of mediums, to practice a variety of communication skills.
3. Exploration and Skill Building: Opportunities to participate in engaging, diverse skill-building activities; to choose based on interest, to engage in active learning, to set goals with staff assistance, to learn and practice new skill and talents.
4. Planning and Decision Making: Opportunities to define standards of behavior, to be involved in decision making, to assess and give feedback, to plan, share plans and implement activities.
5. Work and Service: Opportunities to contribute, to participate in community development, to work and earn.
Ensure staff practices and supports that . . .
6. Create Fair, Supportive Environments: Caring relationships, interactions with adult peers, affirming and positive responses, serve as positive role models and mentors; high, clear, fair standards and rules for behavior and discipline, use positive techniques to guide behavior, high expectations, encouragement and recognition, collective celebrations, diversity, anti-discrimination, continuity of care within and between activities.
7. Provide Individual Supports: Use a youth-centered approach to resolve conflicts, help youth respond to difficult emotions, help youth solve problems, make decisions, set goals, respond to individual needs.
8. Promote Learning and Skill Building: Plan activities to address specific outcomes, support youth as they learn new skills, address developmental needs, individually focused instructions, use a variety of encouragement strategies, flexible organization of curricula, use multiple assessment methods, connect life and learning, create program continuity, employ a variety of group activities over time, collaborate with, work well with other staff.
9. Promote Real-Life Skill-Using: Engage youth as partners in activities, support youth in defining and achieving success.
10. Involve Families and Community: Pursue family involvement, provide information about community resources, use community as an instructional resource, access to people, services and materials needed.
11. Administrative and Management Policies and Structures that Ensure Consistent, well-staffed, Inviting Environments: Consistent programming schedule, appropriate staff/youth ratios and group size, flexible use of available funds, sustainability plan, enrollment referrals, attendance monitoring, youth-centered materials throughout organization.
12. Safe, Healthy Environments: Policies and practices for routine operations and emergencies, classrooms and grounds supervised at all times to maintain safety, nutritional meals/snacks provided, personal hygiene, indoor/outdoor space and furnishings that are safe, meet needs, allow for creativity.
13. Well Trained, High Performing Staff and Volunteers: Define staff qualifications; assessment, training, supervision, support and professional development are provided as needed.
14. High Quality Programming: Clear mission and program identity, continuous improvement processes for staff and organization, data collection, evidence of success, diverse offerings that promote youth development, foster leadership, cultural competence.
15. Connections to Families and Community: Policies responsive to family and community needs, links to, engagement in local community, community partnerships and collaborations.
Best Practices adapted from: The Forum for Youth Investment, "Defining, Assessing, and Improving Youth Program Quality". http://www.forumforyouthinvestment.org/youthproqualframe-pfv.htm .
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