<p>This podcast discusses the implications President Obama&rsquo;s Building American Skills Through Community Colleges proposal has for the afterschool community.</p> <p>&nbsp;Like the President, we also believe community colleges are a critical resource to ensure America&rsquo;s economic strength and vitality. These institutions offer Americans a flexible, affordable option to gain new skills, work towards a degree or obtain training relevant to the local labor market. Community colleges may be a key to advancing the professionalism of the afterschool field.</p>

Starting with the End in Mind—Using School and Community Needs Assessments to Design High-Impact Afterschool Programs

Each day, over 10 million children participate in afterschool programs. Working parents rely on these programs to keep their children learning, growing and safe during the gap hours—after the school day ends, but before parents come home from work. Parents also rely on these afterschool programs to be staffed and run by professionals who have training and expertise in working with children and youth.
 
In a series of podcasts, NAA Executive Director Gina Warner will speak to researchers, experts, practitioners and funders about afterschool quality—what it is, how to achieve it  and why it is imperative.