About Us

Our Vision

Arizona children & youth are actively engaged in life & prepared for successful young adulthood.

Our Mission

To improve access to high quality out-of-school learning opportunities for all Arizona children and youth

through professional development, advocacy and community capacity building.

Who we are...

• the leading Arizona, statewide advocate and information resource for promoting high quality, afterschool programs as a critical component in the positive development of Arizona’s youth
  

• one of 38 statewide afterschool networks comprising the National Network of Statewide Afterschool Networks supported by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation (www.mott.org)

• linked to a diverse, nationwide network of professionals, resources and advocates including the Afterschool Alliance, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, the National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education, and Families

• funded by the Arizona Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families; the C.S. Mott Foundation; the Arizona Department of Education; local, state and national grants, and membership dues

What we do...

Public Awareness and Information Resource

• Increase awareness, understanding and support for the vital role out-of-school time programs play in a child’s intellectual, emotional and physical achievement through the media, meetings, workshops, summits, etc.
  

• Serve as a resource center of best practices, cutting edge programs and research about how to best impact a child’s successful academic, social and emotional outcomes

Collaboration

• Collaborate and partner with a network of diverse stakeholders for children, youth and families to promote the expansion, affordability and accessibility of quality afterschool programs for all children

• Support the work of six Arizona regional afterschool coalitions that address the local needs of children and providers in their communities.

Advocacy

• Assist in developing and advocating for statewide quality standards and assessments methods for out of-school-time programs.

• Advocate for local, state and federal legislative and regulatory initiatives that support the expansion, affordability and accessibility of quality afterschool programs

Professional Development and Recognition

• Sponsor an annual statewide Afterschool Professional Development Conference for afterschool staff and administrators to keep abreast of best practices, new curriculum and the latest research about youth development
  
• Recognize and celebrate afterschool professional and educational leaders at an annual Spotlight on Excellence Awards Luncheon attended by educators and business and community leaders who share our commitment to build a strong statewide educational system for all children.