| The Situation Child Care Connections is an after school child care program, sponsored by the University of Idaho Cooperative Extension System, that provides school age children a place to go when school is out for the day, but parents are still at work. There are seven school age child care sites (SACC) in the state of Idaho currently receiving grant funding - in Gooding, Idaho, Lincoln and Nez Perce counties. These SACC sites provide care for children ages 5 to 12 every afternoon after school. |
Our Response Recently a survey was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the SACC programs. The survey included parents with children in the program, program staff and principals/teachers with SACC program children in their classrooms. |
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Achievements The after school child care programs are not only benefiting the children but also the parents in numerous ways. Parents report that they are less likely to be late to work, miss days of work, or leave work early now that they are involved with SACC. Parents also report that family life is slightly better, especially in relationships with their children and involvement in their child's education. The SACC programs are rated as being affordable to very affordable by over 90% of the parents. The SACC programs were reported to be successful in helping students complete higher quality homework, improve attendance records, prevent students from being placed in special education classes, decrease behavioral problems, improve cooperation with teachers, increase parent involvement in school activities and decrease vandalism to school property. In addition, SACC programs have helped shy children become more outgoing, taught children how to be more skilled at joining group activities and helped rejected children make new friends. Over 80% of parents involved in the after school child care programs report that the program is very successful. The majority of parents involved in this study were females (73%) in the 31 to 50 year age bracket (79%). Most families include two parents (70%) that both work full time (over 80%). The staff at the SACC programs are key to the success that has been reported in all of the program sites. The program staff report an average of twelve children in each program site, with two adult staff. Volunteers are also involved in the child care program, with both adult and youth volunteers. The majority (57%) of the program staff feel that their community has become a better place to live as a result of SACC, with comments like "This program has helped children become better people, therefore a nicer neighborhood has evolved." Program staff feel that some of the major obstacles are awareness of parents about the need for structured after school programs, limited funding and lack of volunteers. Program staff average 32 years in age and are predominantly female. Almost half of the program staff are college graduates (43%) and most have little to no previous experience with Cooperative Extension before becoming involved in the SACC program. The school principals and teachers often see as much or more of the end result of after school child care programs as parents do. Most teachers (67%) are familiar with the SACC programs, although only a few are very familiar (9%). The school age child care programs have only been available to children for a few years, with the average existence of a little over a year for these four counties. Teachers feel that the SACC programs are helpful in completion of homework, improved grades, development of new topics of interest, improving overall school performance, helping children handle conflicts by talking instead of being violent and in getting shy children to be more outgoing. The majority of teachers feel that the SACC programs are successful and have enhanced the community. Some of the comments from teachers and principals with students involved in the program include "They have increased in computer skills, general knowledge and interest in many varied topics." Another teacher says "My second grade student loves to go to the program. He feels accepted and has learned socially accepted skills in dealing with others. It also gives him the security of having a place to go after school." A comment by one teacher says "I have a child in my room whose parents were considering retention, but sent him ahead anyway. He was in the low reading group and very shy. Now he is in the middle reading group and even seems to have more confidence in himself." The after school child care programs give parents security and peace of mind about their children during the after-school hours and they provide the children the opportunity to learn in structured, educational activities. The programs have been very successful with parents, children, program staff and educators. |
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For More Information
Dr. Arlinda K. Nauman
Director
State 4-H Office
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-3015
Phone: 208-885-7276
Fax: 208-885-4637
E-mail: anauman@uidaho.edu
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Situation: Current research has documented numerous negative effects of children being home alone after school. Children left to themselves or under the care of siblings are more likely to engage in risky behavior, such as drug and alcohol use, are more often the victims of accidents and abuse, are more likely to suffer from lower academic achievement, and are more likely to suffer from increased social and emotional problems. Additionally, many children spend the average 1,100 hours a year they are home alone after school watching television. Watching over 3 hours of television a day is the 3rd most important roadblock to a child’s success. As a rural community, Grangeville had very limited resources and social support services to help families. There were no after-school programs for school-age youth. Over 60 percent of children have both or their only parent in the labor force and 13% of Grangeville area children live in poverty. |
Our Response: A University of Idaho, 4-H Department grant provided seed-monies to establish the Grangeville after-school enrichment program, The Kids Klub for the Fall 1996 school term. This program provides a safe, positive atmosphere for the enhancement of Grangeville’s kindergarten through sixth grade youth who would otherwise be home alone. The Kids Klub is designed to assist families by providing after-school care, tutoring, family-centered activities and parent education. The Kids Klub program focuses on children’s academic achievement, experiential learning, physical and mental health, and community service. This program is guided by a team of community and school professionals who form The Kids Klub Operations Board. The program is administered by the University of Idaho, Idaho County Extension Educator. A program coordinator and supporting teacher are hired to work with the children. |
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Achievements |
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35 children were enrolled in The Kids Klub after-school program the first year and 44 the second year of operation. Forty-eight percent of those children enrolled during this second year had at least 1 poverty risk factor, such as their family qualified for a Public Assistance Program, the child qualified for free or reduced price lunches, etc. those children enrolled During the last two years of operation, 96% of parents whose children were enrolled reported that the quality of the educational activities conducted at The Kids Klub was either good or excellent. 82% of parents stated that their child care arrangement is better since the program was established. In addition, 32% of parents are now more involved with their child’s education and 46% believe their relationship with their child has improved since the program was established. 100% of parents surveyed in Spring 1998 reported that their child’s behavior and attitude had improved since coming to The Kids Klub. In addition, 80% of parents indicated that they had seen improvement in their child’s homework completion and grades. School teachers have also reported positive results with the program. When surveyed 79% of all teachers indicated that The Kids Klub program helped children do better in school. Parent and teacher responses include:
The Kids Klub after-school program serves as a parent educational tool for modeling appropriate child/adult interactions. Parents of children enrolled in the program participated in family-night functions and received monthly newsletters which included parenting education articles. 42% of parents and 68% of teachers believe that their community is a better place to live since The Kids Klub was established. 100% of parents and teachers report that The Kids Klub program has been successful. Student Teacher Volunteers: January 1997 The Kids Klub program implemented the student teacher volunteer program. 9 eighth graders were recruited, trained and placed at The Kids Klub to mentor and help The Kids Klub members with homework. Summer Program: Summer 1997, 104 children enrolled in at least one of seven summer enrichment camps that were taught by volunteers. During the summer of 1998 The Kids Klub is piloting 4 youth reading clubs and collaborating with the Camas Prairie Adult Literacy organization to pilot a tutoring program. |
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Cooperators & Co-Sponsors: User fees generate operational funds and contribute to the long-term sustainability of this program. In addition $24,744 in grants from the Idaho Community Foundation, and $8,480 in grants from the Department of Health & Welfare have provided scholarships for low-income children, expansion for year-round tutoring and enrichment, volunteer development and middle-school expansion. During the first two years of operation, 118 individuals and businesses contributed $13,918 in materials and cash donations and 86 individuals volunteered a total of 1,020 hours at The Kids Klub program. |
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| Program Location: The Kids Klub is currently located at 304 North State Street in Grangeville, Idaho. |
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| The Future: The Kids Klub will focus on expanding its volunteer base, augmenting the summer enrichment and tutoring program, and developing a middle-school age component. |
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For More Information
Mary Schmidt, Extension Educator
University of Idaho
Idaho County Cooperative Extension System
Room #3, Courthouse
Grangeville, ID 83530
Phone: 208-983-2667
Fax: 208-983-0251
E-mail: idcomary@camasnet.com
After School Child Care:
A Critical Need
For More Information
J. Jay Ney, Extension Educator
Cheryl Harlow, Coordinator
After School Adventures Program
UI/Nez Perce County Cooperative Extension
1239 Idaho Street
Lewiston, ID 83501
(208) 799-3096
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS SHOW
POSITIVE RESULTS
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Situation Kids After School Help (K.A.S.H) and the Lincoln County Adventure Club are after school child care programs, sponsored by the University of Idaho Cooperative Extension System. These programs provide school age children (ages K - 6th grade) a place to go between the time school is out and parents get home from work. The concept of providing after school help grew out of community advisory groups. These broad based groups included, childcare providers, Health and Welfare, District Health, county school districts, law enforcement, state educators and interested citizens. Both Gooding and Lincoln Counties are well above the state average for children living in poverty. Children come home to empty houses with approximately sixty-nine percent of parents in the work force. Both advisory committees determined there was a real need to provide supervised, planned, tutored, and carefully evaluated childcare for school age youth, concentrating on grades K-6. These advisory groups believe children need to feel the community cares about them and then in turn the children will take pride in and care about their community.
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Response The major focus of both the after school programs is to provide a SAFE, EDUCATIONAL environment for school age children, grades K-6. The staff to child ratio is 1-12. The children receive education on issues regarding conflict resolution, team building, collaboration ability, self-esteem building proficiency and other life skills. Parents receive daily information on the progress of their children in the program. Monthly parent nights also give the parents a chance to evaluate the program accomplishments and endeavors. Parenting and youth information is distributed daily through brochures and flyers. Classes regarding parenting issues are offered throughout the year. The programs especially target those lower income children with scholarships sponsored by grant monies, local churches, businesses and local citizens. The staff are recruited, trained and supported to conduct community-strengthening activities. The programs work with various organizations in the community, including Senior Citizens. Grant monies have funded children who would otherwise remain home alone, built a parenting library, a child’s library, and purchased computers with Internet capabilities. The Internet continues to open doors for both the children of the program as well as local citizens.
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Results Current enrollment at K.A.S.H. is 62 children, with a daily average of 28 to 30 children. Current enrollment at the Lincoln County Adventure Club is 28 children, with a daily average of 11 children. Survey results from parents and teachers show the effectiveness of the SACC (School Age Child Care) programs. Ninety-six percent of those interviewed stated that their children were gaining positive life skills in the program and the homework/tutoring portion was helping school grades and family relations in the evenings. Fifty-three percent of parents cited improved discipline at home and school. Seventy-five percent noted increased awareness of positive nutritional habits. Many high school organizations require their participants to fulfill community service hours. Last year sixty percent of Gooding’s youth fulfilled these hours in the K.A.S.H. program. They served as role models for the children and were extremely helpful in all aspects of the program. The local diversion board also recommends the program to youth offenders when community service is required. All the youth enjoy the positive atmosphere of the programs and many continue to help the program after their service hours are completed.
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For More Information
William B. Hazen
Gooding County Extension Educator
202 14th Ave. East
Gooding, Idaho 83330
Phone: (208) 934-4417
Fax: (208) 934-4418
E-mail: bhazen@uidaho.edu
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Children Get a "Kick" From Learning
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The Situation Grant funds sustained the program for the first five years while Extension managed the program. In July 1996, the program, called "Just for Kicks", became part of the Boise School District. The program is an important part of the neighborhood school community meeting childcare needs of families. In the Whitney School, "Just for Kicks" rallied to help "Mary" (not
her real name), a student in the program. The site coordinator said Mary seemed withdrawn
and exhibited inappropriate behavior. To gain attention and security, Mary acted out and
displayed behavior that caused trouble. |
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Our Response To help reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses for the family, the mother's doctor offered to pay 95 cents per aluminum pop-top. An aluminum pop-top is the small tab that one pulls to open a beverage can. Children enrolled in the "Just for Kicks" program enthusiastically launched a school-wide collection project to help Mary and her mother. As news of the collection spread throughout the school, classrooms collecting the most tops received Popsicle's as a reward from the "Just for Kicks" program. More than 20,000 pop-tops flooded into the school each week. News of the collection spread throughout the school community and Mary began to open up by gaining confidence and enjoying the attention. She even began to talk about her mother's illness. Whitney School, serving a low-income neighborhood, had set a goal to raise money to
help Mary and her mother. The site coordinator said by choosing a recyclable item such as
a pop-top, the program met with additional success. |
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Achievements Before the collection effort, students enrolled in "Just for Kicks" received
teasing and ridicule. Now those students enjoy praise and status from their school peers
for being part of the program and spearheading the pop-top collection. Peers recognized
how the "Just for Kicks" program helped a family, adding prestige to those
enrolled in the program. |
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The Future Cooperators and Co-Sponsors |
For More Information
Barbara Abo, Extension Educator
University of Idaho
Ada County Cooperative Extension System
5880 Glenwood
Boise, Idaho 83714
Phone: 208-377-2107
Fax: 208-375-8715
E-mail: ada@uidaho.edu
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