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.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Site Visits Completed



Special Commission Members Visit the United Teen Equality Center on September 18, 2007 and the Gregg Neigborhood House and Girls Inc. of Lynn on September 20, 2007.







The Massachusetts Special Commission had the pleasure of visiting 10 different afterschool programs throughout the Commonwealth as part of its public hearing process. Special Commission members had the opportunity to talk to afterschool providers as well as children and youth to learn more about their successes and challenges.

The programs that were visited are as follows:

•Pittsfield, May 1, Silvio O. Conte Community School
•Worcester, May 8, Boys and Girls Club of Worcester
•Framingham, May 29, MetroWest YMCA High Flight Program
•Quincy, June 7, South Shore Day Care s Atlantic Afterschool Program
•Dartmouth, July 19, Sgt. William Carney Academy
•Barnstable, September 11, Barnstable’s Recreation Dept. Afterschool Program
•Lawrence, September 18, United Teen Equality Center (UTEC)
•Lynn, September 20, Gregg Neighborhood House
•Lynn, September 20, Girls Incorporated of Lynn
•Boston, September 25, Roxbury Prep Charter School’s Enrichment Program


Thanks to all the programs who hosted members of the Special Commission. A lot was learned that will enhance the Special Commission's report when released later this fall.

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