Funding
Baltimore's After School Strategy has raised and leveraged public and private dollars to fund a variety of after school programs. Safe and Sound and the Family League have raised over $30 million from a diverse group of private and public funding sources, including the Open Society Institute of Baltimore, the Baltimore Community Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Reason to Believe Enterprise, TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), the Maryland After-School Opportunity Fund (now called the Subcabinet After School Fund), and Baltimore City. This diverse set of funding sources has been directed to the infrastructure of the Strategy as well as to expand capacity and improve quality in funded program sites. These funds are distributed through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process with the Family League. Each RFP has distinct purposes, priorities, eligibility criteria and expected outcomes for children, but all share certain common requirements including adherence to the Standards.
Standards
A work group comprised of youth development experts, educators, parents and youth developed the two part standards that are described in The Standards for Baltimore After-School Opportunities in Youth-Places Workbook. The first part reflects a framework developed by the National AfterSchool Association (formerly NASCA): addressing human relationships, indoor and outdoor environment, safety, health and nutrition. The second part focuses on cognitive development, recreation, workforce development, artistic development, civic development and open time. The work group which can be used as a guided self-assessment has accompanying indicators to demonstrate whether a standard had been met.
Monitoring & Accountability
The Family League of Baltimore City, Inc. (FLBC) - is the Local Management Board (LMB) for Baltimore City charged with the implementation of a local interagency service delivery system for children, youth and families. The Family League acts as the management and accountability entity for the After School Strategy. The contract management team keeps close contact with funded programs using record reviews and site visits to assess how well programs are meeting the program standards and their proposed implementation plans.
Data & Evaluation
Data and evaluation plays a significant role in the Strategy in shaping and driving the Strategy. First, the Strategy uses a citywide Data Collaborative, which is managed by FLBC and led by representatives from child-serving agencies with input and direction from community leaders and young people. From the Collaborative, information is available on child/youth well-being and the number and breadth of after-school opportunities. This information is used to drive decisions about funding. Second, FLBC used the Efforts to Outcomes software, a management information system developed by Social Solutions, to track the number of young people enrolled. The information from this system and the many reports that it produces is used by programs to monitor their success. Finally FLBC works in conjunction with Policy Studies Associates of Washington D.C. and an independent evaluator to assess the effectiveness of the After School Strategy by conducting process, outcome and impact evaluation.
The After School Institute
The After School Institute is a citywide capacity building organization established to provide information, training resources and community support for youth development. The Institute is responsible for disseminating best-practices, providing staff and volunteer training, technical support and networking opportunities to out-of/after-school service providers. The Institute convenes monthly network meetings and offers on-site and group training programs on a wide variety of topics, including volunteer management, adolescent pregnancy prevention, behavior management and strategies for meeting the Standards.
