Programming Information
Unified Schedule
Increasing the accessibility of after-school programming is essential to the AfterZones. Part of this accessibility relies on a unified program schedule. If programs operated without coordinated schedules, calendars or publicity, youth would be severely limited in their choices and enrollment opportunities. Through the use of a unified schedule and calendar, the AfterZones:
- provide a single recruitment and registration process
- eliminate redundancy, overlap and scheduling conflicts
- maximize the number of programs
- maximize program range and variety
- allow providers to offer programming in multiple AfterZones
- coordinate transportation for participating youth
This results in a system that is more easily accessed by youth and families – and that increases the quality and frequency of communications between families and program providers.
Program Menu
Programming is offered four times a week in three sessions totaling 26 weeks during the school year (fall, winter and spring) and also during a four-week summer session.
View a sample program brochure
See a day in the life of an AfterZone participant
AfterZone Program Grants
PASA employs a grant-making system to secure program providers for the AfterZones. Rather than each school soliciting providers and independently creating a program schedule, AfterZones citywide share this grant-making system.
Twice a year, providers are invited to submit online proposals to lead programming in the AfterZones. A citywide review committee, composed of representatives from each of the three AfterZone Coordinating Councils reviews all proposals, makes decisions about which providers to fund, for which zones, and at which school sites. Funding is awarded for staff time, materials, related field trips and other components for each program.
This centralized process allows providers to apply to multiple sites with one proposal and AfterZone staff to coordinate a citywide schedule that maximizes provider availability without overlap.
Endorsed Program Providers
PASA allows programs to apply for “endorsed” status, given that providers meet enrollment and retention benchmarks, have a written curriculum, participate in youth development and program management professional development, keep PASA informed of any staff and budgeting updates and receive annual observations using the Rhode Island Quality Assessment Tool (RIPQA).
These requirements ensure that ongoing programming maintains a standard of excellence continued through subsequent sessions. Providers submit separate applications for each program considered for endorsement.
Endorsement is appealing because providers only need to complete one funding application - subsequent applications require only minimal documentation of program and budget changes. Programs are also endorsed across all three AfterZones, granted that funding is available, and receive administrative/operation costs in their budgets of up to 5% of the total request.
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