NAA Affiliation Dual Memberships

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Members of SoDakSACA will automatically be enrolled as members of the National AfterSchool Association (NAA) at no extra cost, and receive the benefits as an NAA member, as well. Membership must be renewed annually, and all members receive a SoDakSACA membership card.

The National AfterSchool Association is the only national professional association for the afterschool field.  With over 9,000 members and over 36 state affiliate organizations, NAA represents the voice of the afterschool field in the areas of professional development, program quality, public policy and current issues affecting children and youth in their out-of-school time.  NAA’s membership includes practitioners, policy-makers, researchers, and administrators representing all public, private, faith-based, school-based, and community-based sectors, as well as programs on military bases, both domestic and international.  NAA’s members work in school-age child care programs, 21^st Century Community Learning Centers, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCAs, 4-H, Parks & Recreation Departments, and other before school, after school, and summer programs.

The National AfterSchool Association offers the after school field a variety of services and products. Some of these services and products are offered to further the field, are provided to NAA and affiliate members at a reduced cost, or are provided at no charge as a benefit of membership. More information is provided on the NAA website: www.naaweb.org

Services

Program Improvement and Accreditation:

In 1998, NAA launched a nationally recognized system of Program Improvement and Accreditation that promotes quality and addresses the needs of children and youth, 5 to 14 years, in after-school programs. The Accreditation system provides an objective standard of evaluation and has been accepted by state agencies establishing tiered reimbursement for quality programs.

In addition to providing standards for quality, NAA offers self-study materials for programs seeking Program Improvement and/or Accreditation. NAA also trains volunteer endorsers who visit after school programs to determine if they meet our nationally recognized standards for Accreditation. For an overview of the Accreditation process and pricing, see the "Seven Steps to Accreditation" on the NAA website.

Annual Conference:

NAA's premier annual event is its national conference, where thousands of afterschool and out-of-school time professionals-from youth workers to directors and administrators-and leaders from nationally prominent organizations from the public, private, philanthropic, and non-profit sectors in the afterschool field meet to learn the most current afterschool practices and public policy and advocacy efforts. NAA and affiliate members receive a discounted registration fee. Visit the conference website for further information: www.naaconference.org

Public Policy Channels:

Through a Public Policy Committee and the Afterschool Alliance, NAA has developed specific recommendations for 21st Century Community Learning Centers; the Child Care and Development Block Grant; Workforce Recruitment, Retention and Compensation; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; the Social Services Block Grant; the Child Tax Credit; and the Dependent Care Tax Credit. In addition, NAA through its Public Policy Network disseminates Action Alerts and Updates to advocates and affiliate members nationwide, who in turn generate advocacy responses from their members and the families they serve.

AfterSchool Review:

NAA publishes a journal, AfterSchool Review, for its members. The publication focuses on up-to-date research, theory, resources, effective school-age practices, and public policy and provides NAA members and affiliated organizations with a forum for discussion on issues and ideas in the after school and out-of-school time field.

Products

The National AfterSchool Association offers the after school field several Program Improvement and Accreditation products:

Program Improvement

NAA Standards at a Glance - this brochure lists all 144 NAA Standards within 36 Keys and 6 Categories.

The NAA Standards for Quality School-Age Care book - the publication is the foundation publication of NAA's Program Improvement process. The Standards publication will help you, your staff, and your self-study team discuss and become knowledgeable about the NAA Standards.

Bringing Yourself to Work - A Guide to Successful Staff Development in Afterschool Programs-the publication, written by one of NAA's founding board members, Michele Seligson, helps directors and staff create healthier learning environments for children and youth in afterschool programs.

ASQ Team Leader's Resource Manual - the publication, in binder format, outlines the five steps of the self-study process, all the forms you'll use for self-study, and a guide to resources for school-age care.

ASQ Team Member's Manual - this is the publication you distribute to your staff members after you have formed your self-study team. This manual includes a description of the five steps of the self-study process.

ASQ Team Video - the video contains two segments: How to Observe and What Makes a Team to help you orient your self-study team members.

Impact Quality Kit - this manual, in binder format, guides afterschool professionals through each step of developing policies and training staff. The program contains three primary modules: Coaching for Quality, Afterschool Basics, and Taming the Paper Monster.

Accreditation

Guide to NAA Accreditation - this publication provides you with an overview of how the entire ARQ system works.

Application for NAA Accreditation - the application, available in paper and Microsoft Word formats, is the instrument you complete AFTER you have completed your self-study and decided to proceed toward Accreditation (no cost).


 

SD Accreditation Project SD after school programs may qualify for on-site technical assistance and financial support from one of our partners, the Dept. of Social Services – Division of Child Care Services, if they want to become NAA - accredited. Contact Rosemary Hayward: 605-773-6432 for more information.