New York State Network for Youth Success

New York State Network for Youth Success knows that a skilled, educated and engaged workforce ensures that children and youth participating in afterschool programs benefit from all that afterschool has to offer. A recent study found that staff with strong preparation, training and good working conditions provide higher quality programs as do those who are more highly educated and highly paid. New York Network for Youth Success administers the New York State School Age Care Credential which promotes quality services to children and families by providing specific standards, training and evaluation for afterschool professionals. (Continued on Schedule O)In addition, the New York State Network for Youth Success offers a full distance learning component of the credential coursework as well as statewide institutes designed to meet the training needs of afterschool professionals. During 2022, the Network continued a systems building initiative within the credential. Year two of offering monthly learning communities for SAC Advisors, Endorsers, Instructors, and Host Agency Support staff has been fruitful. Twelve learning communities were facilitated by Network staff, credentialed trainers, and seasoned SAC instructors and advisors on topics such as filling out the advisor tool, goal creation, program management, professionalism and many more. Over fifty members of the SAC community attended. After each virtual presentation, recordings were created, and resources were gathered and put in a Google Classroom for anyone who missed the live version to review. We also began an advisor mentor program, pairing seasoned advisors with new advisors for their first advisor visits. Seasoned advisors began reviewing their mentee's (new advisors) advisor tool, meeting with them to discuss challenges, areas of opportunity, and successes. They also help the new advisor to create an action plan with goals to improve. Each of these added processes are helping to ensure our advisors are prepared to assist their SAC Credential candidates in the credential process. We added one new host agency, Teachable NYC. With the changes in regulation, allowing TTAP trainers to train virtually, the Network began offering virtual SAC Credential courses. We offered two cohorts in the summer and one in the fall. We spent the first half of 2022 revamping the distance learning course. We added new activities, updated videos, and switched to the Google Classroom platform. The new class was approved in December and we will begin using it spring of 2023. 105 individuals received their credential (either new or renewal) in 2022. There are currently 262 credentialed professionals through the New York State Network for Youth Success. The New York State Network for Youth Success facilitates program improvement and accreditation efforts through a system of coaches, endorsers, and trainings rooted in national school-age care standards. With funding from the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region we were able to begin a pilot program to begin review of the accreditation standards. This included coaching one program in Albany County and one in Rensselaer County. The programs are slated to go through the endorsement process in the spring of 2023.The New York State Network for Youth Success offers an annual conference to provide high-quality training hours in a number of requested topics by trainers from across the state. The conference provides an opportunity for professionals from all over New York to network and share ideas, increasing the quality of staff and programming throughout the state. This year's conference was planned as an in-person event, but shifted to virtual as Covid-19 was still prevalent. It took place on Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9. 197 participants registered for Friday and 119 registered for Saturday, and several presenters were registered over two days. Each day included three 1.5 hour sessions and one .5 hour speed session. Topics included social and emotional learning, mental wellness, diversity, equity and inclusion, family engagement, nutrition, drama, behavior management, and much more. The conference included several optional live vendor sessions each day. Hunger Solutions, Mizzen, and Wisdom Thinkers were a few that joined us. We had a wide array of platinum, gold, and silver sponsors. Sponsors included BBL Construction, Workforce Development Institute, Healthy Kids, SCOPE Education Services, Evalumentrics Research, Kid-Grit, Western New York STEM Hub, Brockport Research Institute, TD Bank, Pioneer Bank, and more. We also hosted the second annual awards recognizing exemplary individuals and organizations in the field. Five individuals and one program were recognized at this event.The New York State Network for Youth Success supports 15 regional afterschool networks across the state of New York. These networks serve as conveners for afterschool providers in the community to come together for networking, training, and advocacy opportunities. The Network provides administrative support to help sustain these networks through the Capacity Building VISTA. During the pandemic, the Network hosted biweekly to monthly Zoom meetings with the regional network leads to allow them to connect and work together, and to support their needs for information to bring back to their members. The Network also hosted a virtual Regional Network Symposium in the fall. Additionally, in 2021 the Network was finally able to expand its reach with a Western NY office. The Network hired Wil Green as the Regional Network Director based in Buffalo. Wil's initial work centered around assisting the local agency network (ASNWNY) with restructuring. WNY agencies had done a good job of pivoting during the height of the pandemic, but in doing so, many long existing committees combined or shifted focus. Wil was able to begin the work of reorganizing committees, identifying leadership, recruiting, and re-establishing protocols and procedures. Due to transportation issues, WNY's largest school district delayed the start of on-site afterschool programming. Wil became an advocate for starting programming and worked with local providers, Buffalo Public Schools, and NYSED officials to begin discussions on how to bring support to students in families. The New York State Network for Youth Success seeks to increase the sustainability of afterschool programs by helping eligible programs enroll for reimbursement for their afterschool meals and snacks through the Child and Adult Care Food Program.