Teens spend less than 20% of their waking hours in school. The hours before and after school, summer vacation and other vacations make up the rest of their time. This is time when they could be getting in trouble without adult supervision. Or they could be involved in something positive, where they can gain skills and learn. Research has shown that quality after-school programs help your pre-teen or teen grow socially, emotionally and academically. Well-run programs support young people's learning and help them do better in school. Teens in quality after school programs are also less likely to smoke, drink alcohol and use drugs and are less likely to engage in criminal behavior.*Find an after-school program or activity for your pre-teen or teen. You will be more at ease, knowing they are safe doing something rewarding.

Find an after-school program or activity for your pre-teen or teen. You will be more at ease, knowing they are safe doing something rewarding.

Talk to your teens about what they want to do after school and explore all the options. There are many after-school programs to choose from, especially for middle-school age kids. Some programs are in community centers or agencies. Some after-school programs are in middle schools. Also, most high schools have a variety of extracurricular activities.
Look for programs that support their interests and hobbies. Ask if there is something they really like to do or want to learn. There may be a club or program at the school or in the community that offers this.
Whatever your teen does after school, know where they are. Know whom they are with. Make sure an adult you trust is around. Make sure you know how to get in touch with your teen and they know how to reach you, too. Call and check in if you can. Always make sure they have a safe ride home.
If your teen has a job, make sure he/she works less than 20 hours per week. Jobs are a great way for teens to learn new skills as well as earn money. However, working more than 20 hours a week interferes with school work and social needs.

How do you find an after-school program?… Look around. Ask around.

Many after-school programs are listed here on the ParentLinkRI.org website. Also try the following:

Contact your local YMCA or YWCA
Contact groups such as 4-H, the Girls Scouts and Boy Scouts, or others in the community
Ask your teen's school
Look for notices in the local newspaper or in one of the parent newspapers
Ask your teens' friends, their parents, and other parents
Look for flyers at the library, grocery store, health clinic, social service center, or place of worship.
Check Providence Youth Opportunities Guide
Contact Options for Working Parents, 401-272-7510 (Providence area)

How do you know an after-school program for middle-school age kids is a good one?… Ask questions.

Visit the program while it is in operation. Ask yourself how the program looks... Ask some of the kids questions, if you can ... Ask the program director questions about the program…

Are the kids involved in positive activities?
Are there a variety of activities?
Are there opportunities to do homework and get help, if needed?
Do the kids seem interested and content?
Are they having fun and learning?
Are they encouraged to try new challenges or learn new skills?
Do they get along with each other well?
Are there clear rules?
Are the rules enforced consistently?
Are there enough staff members (at least one adult for every 13 young people)?
Do the staff members seem warm and supportive?
Is the facility safe and clean?
Is there enough space for different activities?
Is there enough good equipment?
Are there nutritious snacks?
Does the program coordinate learning with the school?
Is the program flexible enough for you and your teens' schedules?

More Resources:

After School Alliance
www.afterschoolalliance.org

Community Schools
http://www.uwri.org/csri.cfm

Child Opportunity Zones (COZs)
http://www.ridoe.net/child_family/
coz/default.htm

21st Century Community Learning Centers
http://www.ed.gov/21stcclc

National School Age Care Alliance
http://nsaca.org/standards_glance.htm

National Center for Juvenile Justice, 1999; U.S. Department of Education. 21st Century Community Learning Centers: Providing Quality Afterschool Learning Opportunities for America's Families, September 2000; YMCA of the USA. After School for America's Teens, March 2001; U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Adolescent Time Use, Risky Behavior and Outcomes: An Analysis of National Data, 1995.