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NYSAN has released a third brief in its afterschool policy brief series, exploring New York's diverse afterschool funding landscape. The brief provides highly detailed information about each funding program, while also discussing remaining needs and existing barriers to improving afterschool programs. The brief also outlines key recommendations for developing a strong, statewide afterschool system in New York.

At a time when New York State is striving to dramatically improve
educational opportunity for all its children and youth – especially those who
are most disadvantaged – the state must invest in reforming and expanding
its financing system for afterschool programs. This policy brief offers guidance to state policymakers on how to approach this challenging task. The brief includes an overview of the major sources of public funding for afterschool programs in the state and analysis of how the current system can be improved to increase program quality and access. It concludes with suggestions for steps the state should take to begin building a more coordinated and effective system.

The NYSAN Program Quality Self-Assessment (QSA) Tool User's Guide is designed to help you get the most out of the QSA Tool and the self-assessment process for your afterschool program. It is full of practical, real-world strategies, tips, case studies, sample tools, and reflection questions that will
guide and support you as you cultivate a culture of learning in your organization. Don’t hesitate to make this book your own: take notes, jot down ideas, and plan next steps in the spaces provided.

The QSA Tool is intended to help program leaders and staff, in collaboration with other stakeholders, to better understand the indicators of a high-quality program and reflect on all aspects of their program's operation.

New York State Afterschool Network is a statewide public-private partnership dedicated to promoting young people's safety, learning and healthy development outside the traditional classroom.

Fact sheet from NYSAN detailing the value of after-school programs from student achievement to crime prevention to working families.

At a time when New York State is striving to dramatically improve
educational opportunity for all its children and youth – especially those who
are most disadvantaged – the state must invest in reforming and expanding
its financing system for afterschool programs. This policy brief offers guidance to state policymakers on how to approach this challenging task. The brief includes an overview of the major sources of public funding for afterschool programs in the state and analysis of how the current system can be improved to increase program quality and access. It concludes with suggestions for steps the state should take to begin building a more coordinated and effective system.

The need for quality afterschool opportunities in New York State far exceeds supply. The current system of public policy and funding for afterschool in New York State is fragmented across multiple state agencies and initiatives. This structure supports a rich diversity of services, but creates inefficiencies that hinder efforts to increase program quality and availability.

Gaps and fragmentation mean that too many children still are missing out. A stronger, better integrated afterschool system in New York State – with coordinated planning and consistent standards – is necessary to address these shortcomings. As this policy brief describes, by building on the examples of other leading states and localities, New York could create a more efficient system that would both increase access to and improve the quality of afterschool opportunities throughout the state.

The need for quality afterschool opportunities in New York State far exceeds supply. The current system of public policy and funding for afterschool in New York State is fragmented across multiple state agencies and initiatives. This structure supports a rich diversity of services, but creates inefficiencies that hinder efforts to increase program quality and availability.

The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of afterschool programs and advocating for quality, affordable programs for all children. It is supported by a group of public, private and nonprofit organizations that share the Alliance's vision of ensuring that all children have access to afterschool programs by 2010.