Before- and After- School Programs — National Crime Prevention Council. Strategy School buildings are used before and after school hours to provide superior educational and recreational programs for youths. Before- and after- school programs can be run by neighborhood volunteers, school staff, or organizations willing to conduct programs at schools. They can also be based at community centers or church buildings. It is important that the program not be viewed as a baby- sitting service or an extension of school time, but rather a time during which children's developmental needs are served. Successful programs provide opportunities for play, creativity, companionship, and relaxation.
Key Partnerships. School- based programs for latchkey youths can involve schools, churches or other religious organizations, neighborhood groups, volunteers, teens who are trained (and sometimes hired) to supervise young children, or parents who share in the responsibility of supervising youths. The municipal department of parks and recreation can also sponsor an after- school program. Potential Obstacles. Child- care providers must comply with local and state regulations, including TB screenings and possible background checks. In addition, caring for children requires commitment and responsibility; supervisors must embody the substance- free message.
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Signs of Success. Anecdotal evidence suggests that providing latchkey children with before- and after- school safe havens decreases their exposure to neighborhood drug or other criminal activity. Applying the Strategy. A Hartford, Connecticut, school stays open before and after class hours because parents and others in the community identified the need for a safe, supervised place for children. In Trenton, New Jersey, four schools have become Safe Havens from 3 to 9 p. The program, which also provides activities for adults, is funded through the city's Weed and Seed grant from the U. S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Gaining Realization of Worth, a YMCA program in Phoenix, Arizona, is an activity- based after- school program that helps youth resist alcohol and other drugs by increasing their decision- making and survival skills, giving them healthy values, enhancing their self- esteem, and offering them positive group membership. From 3. 50 Tested Strategies to Prevent Crime: A Resource for Municipal Agencies and Community Groups.
Creating Safe and Drug-Free Schools An Action Guide. Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities: State Grants.
The Federal Drug-Free Workplace Program is a comprehensive program to address illicit drug use by federal employees. We developed specific programs to help school drug testing and hundreds of schools trust our patented technology for deterring drug use. Stop Drug abuse and substance use by teens with a middle school drug use prevention program. Courage to Speak Foundation offers a drug prevention program for middle.