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You for Youth (Y4Y), the U.S. Department of Education’s online resource for 21st CCLC programs, has a new human resources course for grantees. The course covers nine key strategies that afterschool leaders can use to manage and develop their staff, covering everything from hiring to training to building a positive work environment to managing staff performance.

Many afterschool programs are led by multigenerational teams. This blog post from the National AfterSchool Association offers suggestions for building connections among members of multigenerational teams. The ideas are offered under the theme of “See them, hear them, include them,” and include both strategies and real-world examples.

Many cities are coordinating afterschool programming through coalitions to ensure that programs are cohesive, high quality, and accessible to all who want to participate. A new report from the Wallace Foundation describes lessons learned from a study of afterschool data systems used by coalitions across public, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors. Recommendations include having a systems-level focus, including shared goals and outcomes; agreeing on indicators that signal progress; and understanding local circumstances, context, and expertise.

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) encourages and sometimes requires that states and other entities that apply for its various funding streams, including expanded learning programs, establish that their programs are backed by strong evidence of effectiveness. This report from the Wallace Foundation provides a review of research from 2000 to 2017, finding 124 afterschool programs with evidence that meets the research requirements of ESSA’s top three tiers. Of these programs, half—62—showed positive impacts on students.

Education and partner organizations like afterschool programs have changed their approach and goals for preparing students for success after high school. This blog post from the American Youth Policy Forum reflects on the goals of what is now known as career and technical education (CTE) and how it has evolved. The post highlights successes and also outlines challenges that remain in the field of CTE.

This toolkit from the Wallace Foundation offers hands-on, downloadable resources for school districts and community organizations looking to start or enhance their summer learning programs.

Volunteers provide important support for afterschool programs, and it is crucial that afterschool leaders provide the information and support volunteers need to be successful. This blog post from the U.S. Department of Education’s You for Youth (Y4Y) afterschool website provides guidance and tools for recruiting volunteers, matching them with responsibilities that fit their skills and interests, supporting them, and recognizing their contribution so that they have a rewarding experience and stay involved.

Social media can be a useful tool for afterschool programs, and it is also popular among youth, especially teenagers. This blog post from Y4Y provides an overview of social media apps that are popular today, including recent statistics on their usage among teenagers. It also provides guidance for using social media in an afterschool program.

Successful afterschool recruitment and outreach depends on crafting compelling stories that motivate people to support your program. This blog post from Afterschool Alliance has suggestions for developing an afterschool brand that engages and inspires stakeholders. Suggestions include identifying your program’s unique character, working with partners to share communications resources, and highlighting your program’s impact.

How can educators host meetings that balance the competing demands of colleagues’ time with a desire for collaboration and connection? This research story from the Harvard Graduate School of Education provides guidance on holding productive meetings for educators. It also provides solutions to common dilemmas, such as silence in meetings, an activity not working, and a lull in group energy.