PUBLICATION AND RESEARCH

WYAA ENCOURAGES INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO PERUSE THE FOLLOWING PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH THAT INVOLVE ISSUES VITAL TO AFTERSCHOOL.

Addressing Mental Well-Being Through Afterschool Programs

November 11, 2022: Afterschool and summer programs play an important role in supporting the healthy development of young people and are all the more critical today. We must seize this moment to fund Wyoming’s afterschool programs so they can serve all families in need and help address the urgent youth mental health crisis. We can do this by providing resources that will allow programs to partner with more schools, community organizations, mental health agencies, and pediatricians. The Wyoming Afterschool Alliance is helping to make these connections. Find it online. Click Here

Supporting Learning Recovery Through Out of School Time with ESSER III Funding

November 16, 2021: Out of school time—afterschool, before school, summer, and expanded learning programs—complements academic learning and is critical to youth development, our economy, and our communities. The American Rescue Plan provides Wyoming with a third round of federal stimulus funding for K-12 public education through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER III), estimated at $303 million that can be spent at the local level on learning recovery strategies, including comprehensive afterschool and summer programs. These ESSER funds give Wyoming the opportunity to serve kids and families better by prioritizing quality and sustainability. Find it online. Click Here

Wyoming After 3pm

December 8, 2020: Many more Wyoming parents want afterschool programs for their  children than are able to access them, according to a household survey commissioned by the  Afterschool Alliance and released today. It finds that, by overwhelming margins, parents express  strong, broad-based support for afterschool programs. But unmet demand – the percentage of  children in Wyoming not currently in an afterschool program whose parents say they would be  enrolled if an afterschool program were available to them – has increased over the past six years,  with low-income families in particular citing cost as a barrier to enrolling their children. As a  result, for every child in an afterschool program in Wyoming today, three more are waiting to get  in. Find the publications and learn more at Wyoming after 3. 

From a Nation at Risk to a Nation at Hope

January 15, 2019: The Aspen Institute National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development (SEAD) published their final report. It highlights the crucial role afterschool plays in supporting the whole child. Find it online: Click Here

Why Wyoming is Using Afterschool Programs to Keep Kids Out of School-to-Prison Pipeline

December 3, 2018: Youth Today published an article written by WYAA Director Linda Barton titled: “Why Wyoming Is Using Afterschool Programs to Keep Kids Out of School-to-Prison Pipeline.” Find it online. Click Here

Juvenile Justice Tools

• Juvenile Justice Ecosystem – Describes the system of support for at-risk children and youth
• Notes and Analysis – This page was developed to guide participants through the summit and help them take notes relevant to their community or organization
• “At A Glance” Resource Guide – This one-page guide helps stakeholders identify next steps and how to take action

Reducing the School-to-Prison Pipeline – A Strategy to Serve High-Risk Youth

As of 2017, Wyoming ranks 1st in the nation for suicides among children and youth. As of 2015, Wyoming ranks 1st in the nation for youth committed to residential placement by the courts and 4th in the nation for school referrals to law enforcement. These statistics are attributed to lack of community-based options and resources due in part to Wyoming’s rural nature. WYAA Director Linda Barton shared this PowerPoint presentation to help attendees understand this initiative and think about ways their organizations and communities can make an impact. Download the PowerPoint: Click Here

Understanding N.E.A.R.

Dr. Jennifer Davis with the Wyoming Children’s Trust Fund provided the featured presentation on N.E.A.R. or Neuroscience, Epigenetics, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and Resilience. The first objective for the presentation was to help the audience become familiar with ACEs and the biological effects on the body. The second objective was to begin the conversation around ACEs and its effects. Download the PowerPoint: Click Here

Dr. Davis encouraged attendees to look creatively at problems. One example she used was “The Human Walking Program” from an Australian pet shelter. Find it online.

The Prevalence of ACEs Nationally, By State, and By Race/Ethnicity

In this Research Brief from Child Trends, Vanessa Sacks, MPP, and David Murphey, PhD look at the prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) nationally, by state, and by race/ethnicity. As their overview states, “A growing body of research has made it increasingly apparent that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a critical public health issue.” Download the PDF: Click Here

What Works and What Doesn’t

Dr. Adrienne Freng presented on “What Works and What Doesn’t.” The focus was on Prevention Coalitions, Coordinated Efforts, Definition of “Good” Programs, and Efficient Use of Resources. Download the PowerPoint: Click Here

Connecting Kids to Success Will Prevent Crime

Barrie Becker and Martha Brooks, with Council for a Strong America presented: “Connecting Kids to Success Will Prevent Crime and More.” They had a focus on connecting the dots between Parents, Schools and Afterschool Programs; Health/Mental Health and Schools; Police and Schools; and Businesses and Schools. Download the PowerPoint: Click Here

Family of Funds