Message From Co-Chairs

Children and youth across the Commonwealth need our help and support to become caring and productive members of our society. As Co-Chairs of this Special Commission, we welcome your input as we work together with our 36 members to craft recommendations on how best to support the healthy development of children and youth when they are in and out of school. In addition to the Commission meetings about this critical issue, we intend to hold at least nine public hearings across the Commonwealth. We are aware that not everyone will be able to attend and and invite you to use this blog to communicate with us about your issues and concerns. We look forward to your comments.

Posting Rules and Etiquette

We welcome and value your feedback and ask that you do the following in order to post your comments to this blog. 1. To provide your first and last name and the town or city in which you live to help us track the feedback statewide. 2. To label your comments so we can direct your feedback to the right Commission Work Group. The Commission's three Work Groups are: 1) Information and Access; 2) Quality, Workforce and Professional Development and 3) Sustainability. If your comments cut across all three Work Groups, please label that as "Crosscutting Issue". 3. To add constructive and professional comments - rude or profane comments will be deleted. Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Fifth Hearing Announced for Quincy City Hall

The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time will hold its fifth public hearing in the South Shore region on THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 5 PM - 8 PM, QUINCY CITY HALL, SECOND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, 1305 HANCOCK STREET, QUINCY, MA, 617.376.1000. (Directions will be forthcoming).

Please feel free to circulate widely to your networks and contact me if you have any questions regarding the above.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Fifth Public Hearing Date Announced for South Shore - June 7 from 5 PM - 8 PM

The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time has announced its fifth public hearing date. It will be held on Thursday, June 7 from 5 PM - 8 PM in the South Shore area. A hearing location has yet to be announced.

Friday, May 25, 2007

Special Commission Issues Press Release for Framingham Hearing

The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time Announces Public Hearing
Special Commission to Convene Fourth Public Hearing in Framingham, May 29,
5 PM - 8 PM

Boston, Massachusetts - May 22, 2007
The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time announces its fourth public hearing to be held at the Cameron Middle School, 215 Elm Street, in Framingham on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 from 5 PM - 8 PM in the auditorium. Prior to the public hearing, members of the Special Commission will be touring the MetroWest YMCA's High Flight Program from 3 PM - 4 PM at their Hopkinton Branch located at 45 East Street. The High Flight program is an adventure based afterschool program that promotes leadership, self-confidence and social skills for youth and teens ages 12-17.

This Special Commission was created by the Massachusetts Legislature to "study and recommend how to' define and 'better coordinate, expand, finance and improve accessible, affordable, and quality out of school time programming for school age children in all settings in Massachusetts."

Led by Senator Thomas McGee (D-Lynn), the Chair of the Senate's Labor and Workforce Development Committee and Representative Marie St. Fleur (D-Boston), the Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, the 36 member Commission has committed to holding at least nine public hearings throughout the state to gather input about the Commonwealth's afterschool system. Youth, parents, community and faith-based providers, law enforcement officials, educators, funders, business and other community leaders are expected to attend and provide testimony.

"We have a historic opportunity to gain a better understanding of the importance of afterschool programs in the lives of children, youth and families," said Senator Thomas McGee. "Since a quality workforce is a linchpin of the afterschool system, we need to identify solutions to strengthen it. We look forward to gathering information from the public hearings and site visits that will help us figure out this and other ways to better serve children and youth when they are not in school."

"Currently, Massachusetts provides afterschool programs to approximately 20% of the Commonwealth's school age population," noted Representative Marie St. Fleur. "It is well documented that the time period between 2PM and 6PM is the most hazardous, if unsupervised, for children of that age. It is clear that we need to closely examine how public/private partnerships can leverage existing resources to serve more children and youth to coordinate and strengthen a system of afterschool and expanded learning that promotes their healthy development. The public hearings and site visits will help us to hear from all stakeholders on this important matter."

The MetroWest YMCA's "High Flight" program for teens, which Special Commission members will witness in action, is "a unique and effective program using outdoor adventure challenges, group work and counseling to literally save the lives of the participants lucky enough to have the opportunity to participate," said Richard A. MacPherson, Director of Operations. "I have seen the impact first hand and have heard from parents their emotional testimonials about how this program has changed the life of their son or daughter." MacPherson further noted that, "It is our collective responsibility to work together to make the most effective use of our resources in order to support our kids and our families in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This Special Commission created by the state legislature to study the problems and to explore future strategies is both timely and essential."

1.1 Million School Aged Children and Youth in Massachusetts
There are 1.1 million school aged children and youth ages 5-18 that live in Massachusetts. Of that group, 720,000 are children ages 5-13 and 380,000 are youth ages 14-19. Current state funding serves 205,500 children and youth leaving nearly 80% without access to quality and enriching afterschool and summer opportunities.

The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time intends to study this issue more in-depth. In addition to holding the nine public hearings, it will also convene three working groups that will 1) analyze information and access issues; 2) identify quality, workforce and professional development concerns, and 3) determine how the afterschool system in the Commonwealth can be sustained. The Special Commission expects to issue a report in the fall of 2007 that will have recommendations in these areas which will strengthen the Commonwealth's afterschool system.

About The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time
The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time has been created 'to study and recommend how to' define and 'better coordinate, expand, finance and improve accessible, affordable, and quality out-of-school time programming for school age children in all settings in Massachusetts."

The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time

For More Information Contact:
Debra McLaughlin, Consultant to the Commission
dmclaughlin@kunnusta.com
617.792.3173

Visit Our Blog.

Visit Our Website.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

May 29 Public Hearing Location Announced

The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time will be holding their fourth public hearing on May 29 from 5 PM - 8 PM at the Cameron Middle School located at 215 Elm Street in Framingham. The hearing will be held at their auditorium. Parking is available in the front, side and rear lots. Click here for the directions to the school.

If you are unable to attend this hearing, we look forward to receiving your comments either in writing or you can post them on-line at the Commission's website.

Thank you.

Debra McLaughlin
Consultant to the Commission

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Fourth Public Hearing Scheduled for Framingham

The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time has scheduled one public hearing. It will be held on Tuesday, May 29, 5 - 8 PM in Framingham at a location to be announced.

The remaining six public hearings, to be held in the Merrimack Valley, North Shore, Greater Boston, Southeastern MA, South Shore and the Cape and the Islands, will be scheduled for June 2007.

Special Commission Convened on May 9

Senator Thomas McGee and Representative Marie St. Fleur, Co-Chairs of the Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time, convened the second meeting of the full commission on Wednesday, May 9 from 4 PM - 6 PM at the State House.

Special Commission members had the opportunity to hear from Priscilla Little, the Associate Director of the Harvard Family Research Project and Dr. Beth Miller of Miller Midzik Research Associates. Both Ms. Little and Dr. Miller talked about the latest research which shows how participation in quality after school programs promotes positive outcomes in children and youth both academically as well as in social/emotional domains.

Their excellent presentations were follwed by an in-depth overview of the investments into afterschool made by the Massachusetts Department of Education (DOE) and the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). Commissioner Ann Reale of EEC and Associate Commissioner Carole Thomson of DOE and her staff Karen Vigue, Donna Traynham, Karyl Resnick and Allison Ward provided a detailed briefing that allowed Special Commission members to better understand how these two state agencies are supporting a range of afterschool programs statewide and coordinating their efforts to serve the most high-need, at-risk children and youth.

The Special Commission has also scheduled the first meetings of their three work groups to be held later this month.

To-date, the Special Commission has held three public hearings. They have been in Springfield, Pittsfield and Worcester. A public hearing will be held in Framingham on May 29 at a location yet to be determined.

It is hoped that the Commission's blog, as well as its website, 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

Third Public Hearing Successfully Held

The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time held its third public hearing at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Worcester on Tuesday, May 8.

Led by Senator Thomas McGee and Representative Marie St. Fleur, 14 other Commission members heard testimony from 25 people during a three hour period. There was powerful testimony from a broad range of people including youth, community-based providers, educators, police officers, and funders - all of whom talked about the vital role afterschool programming has upon the young people in their communities. In all, 38 people attended the hearing.

Prior to the hearing, several Commission members were able to visit the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester at their new state of the art facility on Tainter Street in Worcester where 150 children ages 8 - 18 enjoy a range of club sponsored activities including basketball, swimming, boxing, access to state of the art computer labs, a homework center equipped with wireless internet services, and a music recording studio. They also serve 35 children in the school aged child care program. Due to extensive fundraising and other partnerships they have formed in the community, they only charge $10 a year for their services.

The hearing was taped and so we have it as part of the Special Commission's public record.

In addition to the Co-Chairs, the following Commission members and their representatives attended the hearing:

Rep. Alice Wolf - Cambridge
Rep. Pam Richardson - Framingham
Donna Avery-Cohen - Department of Early Education and Care
Fran Barrett - Department of Early Education and Care
Karyl Resnick - Department of Education
Cathy O'Connor - Department of Public Health
Debbie Kneeland - MADCA
Berna Mann - PACE
Ed Madaus - St. Agnes Guild
Michael Cahill - YMCA's of MA
Kathleen McDermott - MASS CAP
Gwynn Hughes - Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership
Rick Metters - Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs
Susan O'Connor - WestMOST Network

The next public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 29, 2007 in Framingham at a location yet to be announced.

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Special Commission Issues Press Release About Worcester Public Hearing

The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time Announces Public Hearing

Special Commission to Convene Third Public Hearing in Worcester, May 8, 5 PM - 8 PM

Boston, Massachusetts - May 3, 2007
The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time announces its third public hearing to be held at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Services' Worcester Campus, at 19 Foster Street in Worcester on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 from 5 PM - 8 PM in the first floor of the DeBenedictis Building.

This Special Commission was created by the Massachusetts Legislature to "study and recommend how to' define and 'better coordinate, expand, finance and improve accessible, affordable, and quality out of school time programming for school age children in all settings in Massachusetts."

Led by Senator Thomas McGee (D-Lynn), the Chair of the Senate's Labor and Workforce Development Committee and Representative Marie St. Fleur (D-Boston), the Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, the 36 member Commission has committed to holding at least nine public hearings throughout the state to gather input about the Commonwealth's afterschool system. Youth, parents, community and faith-based providers, law enforcement officials, educators, funders, business and other community leaders are expected to attend and provide testimony.

"We have a historic opportunity to gain a better understanding of the importance of afterschool programs in the lives of children, youth and families," said Senator Thomas McGee. "Since a quality workforce is a linchpin of the afterschool system, we need to identify solutions to strengthen it. We look forward to gathering information from the public hearings and site visits that will help us figure out this and other ways to better serve children and youth when they are not in school."

"Currently, Massachusetts provides afterschool programs to approximately 20% of the Commonwealth's school age population," noted Representative Marie St. Fleur. "It is well documented that the time period between 2PM and 6PM is the most hazardous, if unsupervised, for children of that age. It is clear that we need to closely examine how public/private partnerships can leverage existing resources to serve more children and youth to coordinate and strengthen a system of afterschool and expanded learning that promotes their healthy development. The public hearings and site visits will help us to hear from all stakeholders on this important matter."

1.1 Million School Aged Children and Youth in Massachusetts
There are 1.1 million school aged children and youth ages 5-18 that live in Massachusetts. Of that group, 720,000 are children ages 5-13 and 380,000 are youth ages 14-19. Current state funding serves 205,500 children and youth leaving nearly 80% without access to quality and enriching afterschool and summer opportunities.

The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time intends to study this issue more in-depth. In addition to holding the nine public hearings, it will also convene three working groups that will 1) analyze information and access issues; 2) identify quality, workforce and professional development concerns, and 3) determine how the afterschool system in the Commonwealth can be sustained. The Special Commission expects to issue a report in the fall of 2007 that will have recommendations in these areas which will strengthen the Commonwealth's afterschool system.

About The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time
The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time has been created 'to study and recommend how to' define and 'better coordinate, expand, finance and improve accessible, affordable, and quality out-of-school time programming for school age children in all settings in Massachusetts."

The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time

For More Information Contact:
Debra McLaughlin, Consultant to the Commission
dmclaughlin@kunnusta.com
617.792.3173

Visit Our Blog and
Website

Second Public Hearing a Success

The Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time held its second public hearing at the Ralph J. Froio Senior Center in Pittsfield on Tuesday, May 1.

Led by Senator Thomas McGee and Representative Marie St. Fleur, 9 other Commission members heard testimony from 34 people during a three hour period. There was powerful testimony from a broad range of people including youth, community-based providers, educators, a public safety officer, and community librarian - all of whom talked about the vital role afterschool programming has upon the young people in their communities. In all, 52 people attended the hearing.

Prior to the hearing, several Commission members were able to visit the Conte Community School, also located in Pittsfield, where 125 elementary school aged children participate in a variety of afterschool programs supported by the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant as well as the state's After School and Out of School Time grant.

The public hearing was covered by WAMC and the site visit was taped by CBS6 - Albany, NY. Additionally the hearing was taped and so we have it as part of the Special Commission's public record.

In addition to the Co-Chairs, the following Commission members and their representatives attended the hearing:

Dr. Deborah Dancy - Massachusetts Association of Elementary School Principals
Erin Craft - Department of Early Education and Care
Donna Traynham - Department of Education
Cathy O'Connor - Department of Public Health
Debbie Kneeland - MADCA
Berna Mann - PACE
Gwynn Hughes - Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership
Rick Metters - Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs
Susan O'Connor - WestMOST Network

The next public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8, 2007 in Worcester at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.