What is quality afterschool programming?
Many children and families in Denver, particularly those living in low-opportunity neighborhoods, do not have access to high-quality afterschool and summer programs. We are working to narrow this opportunity gap by supporting hundreds of afterschool and summer providers and professionals across the city to improve the quality of their programming, build more emotionally-intelligent organizations and create a more equitable future for all Denver youth.
Why Quality Programs Matter
Research shows that quality afterschool and summer experiences improve children’s academic achievement, social-emotional development, and health and well-being. In addition, these programs are a vital support for working families that need to keep their children physically and emotionally safe and engaged during out-of-school time, making them a proven strategy for reducing youth violence.
More information about the positive impact of quality afterschool programming is available from the Collaborative for Social, Emotional and Academic Learning and the Center for Youth Program Quality.
Quality Counts System
Quality Counts builds the capacity of youth-serving organizations to improve and enhance program quality through custom supports and learning opportunities that meet the needs of all providers. We take an integrated approach to helping providers scale and sustain program quality over time. As the needs of the afterschool community, children and families change, Quality Counts evolves its supports to better meet those needs.
Our program quality improvement system helps assess afterschool program quality and implement improvement plans designed to increase positive youth outcomes.
Our easy-to-use tools and surveys help measure outcomes related to academic success; social emotional and academic learning; and positive program experiences.
We use social, emotional and academic learning (SEAL) as a lever for equity by building the capacity of youth-serving organizations to integrate SEAL into their structures, practices and goals for youth.
Our Quality Pillars
Quality in afterschool programming refers to the structures, policies and practices that promote positive outcomes for young people.
The DAA’s Quality Pillars includes seven pillars that represent the foundations of afterschool and summer programming. Organizations can use this framework to identify key elements of quality at the organizational and site levels.