FIRST COMMISSION HEARING SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 5 PM - 8 PM

THE MASSACHUSETTS SPECIAL COMMISSION ON AFTER SCHOOL AND OUT OF SCHOOL TIME ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST COMMISSION HEARING IN SPRINGFIELD

We are pleased to announce that the first public hearing for the Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 from 5 PM - 8 PM in Western Massachusetts at Springfield Technical Community College's Auditorium. Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) is located at One Armory Square in Springfield.

We look forward to your thoughtful participation at this hearing as the Special Commission works to define how best to support children and youth in and out of school. Commission members are interested in hearing from a broad spectrum of people including parents, youth, schools, community-based providers, faith-based organizations, police, libraries, municipalities, business, and other interested parties at this hearing.

If you cannot attend this public hearing, we invite you to post comments on this blog.

We will be holding a second public hearing in Western Massachusetts in the Berkshires but that date and time has yet to be confirmed.

Thanks again and we look forward to working with you to ensure that our first public hearing is a success.

Sincerely,

Senator Thomas McGee
Representative Marie St. Fleur
Co-Chairs

The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time has been created by the Massachusetts Legislature to help define what is needed to support the healthy development of children and youth in and out of school.

First Commission Meeting Successfully Held

Greetings.

The first meeting of the Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time was held yesterday at the State House. Convened by Senator Thomas McGee and Representative St. Fleur, the Co-Chairs of the Special Commission, members had their first opportunity to see and comment on the Commission's proposed work plan and time line moving forward.

Key decisions arrived at the meeting include:

• To rename the proposed 3 working groups to 1) Information & Access; 2) Quality, Workforce and Professional Development; and 3) Sustainability
• To obtain as much data from Commission members to understand the current funding streams and numbers of children/youth served from other public agencies, municipalities, schools, community-based organizations, parent fees, among others

The first public hearing of the Commission will be held Tuesday, April 10, from 5 PM - 8 PM in Western Massachusetts. Logistical details are still being worked out and will be confirmed shortly.

Additional hearings have been scheduled for May 1 and May 8 from 5 PM - 8 PM likely in the Central and Northeastern regions of the Commonwealth. More information confirming hearing locations will be forthcoming.

It is hoped that the Commission's blog, as well as its forthcoming web site, will serve as additional places for interested parties to provide comments and testimony regarding afterschool and out of school time opportunities.

Please contact me with any questions regarding the above information.

Thanks.

Debra McLaughlin, Consultant to the Commission

First Commission Meeting - March 22 at 3:30 PM

Greetings.

Senator Thomas McGee and Representative Marie St. Fleur, Co-Chairs of the Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time, will be convening the first meeting of the Commission on Thursday, March 22 from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM in Room 350 at the State House.

Look for more information about the Commission's work including a schedule of upcoming hearings to be posted on this blog.

Thanks.

Debra McLaughlin
Consultant to the Commission

Welcome to the Massachusetts After School and Out of School Time Commmission Blog

Greetings!

We have an historic opportunity to work together to help define what children and youth need to thrive both in and out of school. We look forward to your comments as the Massachusetts' Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time works to "coordinate, expand, finance and improve accessible, affordable and quality out-of-school time programming for school aged children in all settings"* across the Commonwealth.

Out of the 1.1. million school aged children and youth in the Commonwealth, over 80% are without access to safe and enriching opportunities when they are out of school. Your help and input is needed so all children and youth can get the support they need in their out of school hours.

If you have any questions about the Commission's work or how to use this blog, please contact me at dmclaughlin@kunnusta.com.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Debra McLaughlin
Consultant to the Commission
*After School Commission Budget Language