NCASE Resource Library
The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic coincide with increased attention to issues of racial injustice. Federal support, including funding, is available to rebuild early childhood and Out-of-School time (OST) care, to address inequities that have historically diminished opportunities for children and families.
This issue brief provides strategies and state examples for increasing workforce compensation. It includes ideas on hiring and retention bonuses, wage increases, increasing access to benefits, and changing policies. This resource may help in planning for use of federal stimulus funds.
This issue brief explores Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ESSER) and how these funds can support summer and afterschool programs. It reviews amount of ESSER funds for each state, what the funds can be used for, and how programs can access these funds through grants and contracts. It also includes examples of how CT, GA, NH, UT, and WV are using the funds.
This practice brief explores some of the current mental health needs of school-age children, their families, and the OST workforce. In addition, this brief discusses the social and emotional constructs that promote resilience, as well as examples of mental health supports that states and local jurisdictions can consider for collaborative implementation.
Out-of-School Time (OST) programs can play a role in mitigating and preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which are disruptive to a school-age child’s academic and social development. State policies and initiatives are often the catalysts that support OST programs in this critical work.
Family-friendly policies offer parents financial stability and continuity in the care of children. They can also reduce the administrative burden for CCDF lead agencies.
This issue brief provides case studies of best practices in four exemplary summer programs that provide engaging STEM opportunities. The programs in Ohio, Connecticut, Michigan, and Kentucky produce positive outcomes on grades, standardized test scores, social-emotional competence, and graduation rates.
This issue brief is an interview with the evaluator of a STEM project with middle and high school tribal youth, working with tribal leaders and STEM professionals on a research project about salmon restoration. The evaluation shows how involving youth in an engaging and authentic research project built their STEM skills in a possible career path. There is a link to the full research report.
This brief describes what choices families make for school-age care and why. The brief includes two tables that provide information on what type of care children are in by factors like age, type, family income. The brief also provides research that shows what factors are important for parents in selecting care. This is the second brief in a 3-part series.