 Choosing an afterschool program is an important decision for you and your child. You want the assurance that once the school day ends, your child is spending his or her hours in a safe, active, and resourceful environment. Over the last 10 years, the options for quality afterschool programming in Rhode Island have greatly expanded for students of all ages. There are currently a wide variety of age-appropriate, engaging programs ranging from service learning to intramural sports to visual and performing arts. RIASPA understands the need for you and your child to find a good match in an afterschool program--after all, children spend an average of 8-10 hours a week doing afterschool time activities. Because of this, we want to be a resource for you and your child to turn to.
Start Something!
Rhode Island is rich in afterschool programming. However, RIASPA recognizes that not every child’s needs are being met in the programs that currently exist. We are here as a preliminary resource to help you start an afterschool program if you think that there are particular needs not being met, either for your child or for your community. Please click here to connect with RIASPA’s own tips for starting a program as well as links to other start-up resources. Options for Working Families
www.optionsforfamilies.org
Rhode Island's premier Child Care Referral Program. For nearly two decades, Options has provided a complete database of regulated child care providers and programs. Options provides parents with information about choosing a high-quality program for their children and about available child care providers in their community. Options also hosts forums for business leaders to encourage business engagement and investment in quality child care for working families.
BrightStars: RI's Quality Rating and Improvement System
www.brightstars.org
BrightStars was developed by a team of local early childhood and school-age care professionals and reviewed by national experts. Parents with children enrolled in child care and early learning programs were consulted to better understand the information that would be most helpful for families. BrightStars is managed by the Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children (RIAEYC) in partnership with the United Way of Rhode Island and RI KIDS COUNT. Providence After School Quality Standards
Click here to learn more about the Providence After School Quality Standards, recently endorsed by RIASPA. The brochure provides information on the importance of standards in afterschool programming and allows can be used as a "checklist" when visiting and observing an afterschool program.
Using Storybooks (Picture Books) to Enhance Your Children's Literacy Learning and School Success!
www.hfrp.org/family-involvement/storybook-corner/the-bookcase
Parents are a keystone to a child's success in school and life. One of the most fun and easy ways to engage in meaningful conversations and foster positive interactions is by reading books together. Explore this comprehensive booklist to find read-aloud titles with family involvement themes.
CHILDSPAN
www.childspan.net
As Rhode Island's child development and education training system, CHILDSPAN offers professional development training (series-based workshops, intensives, and conferences) for early childhood, school-age, and youth service professionals. Parents may also find a number of their low-cost trainings useful.Rhode Island Parent Information Network
www.ripin.org
The Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN) is a statewide, nonprofit agency that provides information, training, support, and advocacy to parents seeking help for their children. RIPIN offers 18 programs and services--in the health, education, and support group arenas--to families with children in our state. SAMHSA's Family Guide
www.family.samhsa.gov
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's interactive web site featuring tools to help build and sustain healthy adult-child relationships. Youth Opportunities Guide
This guide, created by the Providence After School Alliance (PASA), compiles over 100 programs that offer activities and programs for youth. PASA provides a searchable database so you can find the program you need.
Feel free to contact RIASPA with any questions or concerns related to afterschool programming in Rhode Island at (401) 444-0600 x108, or by e-mailing joseph.morra@afterschoolri.org.
Parent survey now available!
In the summer of 2008 the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust funded a project, coordinated by RIASPA, to consult various education stakeholders about the current state and potential of afterschool programs in Rhode Island's urban communities. RIASPA contracted with Acadia Consulting Group to conduct quantitative research to assess Rhode Island parents’ perceptions and use of afterschool programs in the state. Parents in RI’s six urban centers were surveyed, including: Central Falls, Newport, Pawtucket, Providence, West Warwick, and Woonsocket. The purpose of the survey was to gain insight from parents about their impressions, successes and obstacles relating to their children’s education overall and specifically their afterschool experience.Key questions included: + What are the participation patterns with regard to afterschool/extended learning programming in RI’s urban communities, as reported by parents in those communities?
+ What do parents in RI’s urban communities think about the current state, benefits, and drawbacks of afterschool/extended learning programs?
+ What would RI’s parents like future afterschool/extended learning programming to look like and offer their children and families? Download a copy of the survey. | 
