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The Partnership is implementing a one-year project, funded through the federal Adminstration for Children and Families, designed to increase utilization of the federal Child Nutrition Programs by after-school sites. The Partnership conducted a survey regarding the use of federal food programs in afterschool sites, and found that many programs are either unaware of these resources, or experience barriers to accessing these funds. Our project is designed to increase awareness of the federal food programs and to increase the capacity of state and local systesm to increase enrollment. IDHS and ISBE are collaborating to provide on-going training about these food resources, and we are also working in Morgan County to pilot a countywide approach to increasing use of these programs. Please see our sidebar for information on a usefull guide on these resoruces devloped as a result of this project.
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Leaders from the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois State Board of Education serve on an inter-agency management team that is working to coordinate services and resources across agencies. Initial efforts are focused on coordination between the Teen REACH and 21st Century Community Leaning Center programs. We plan to extend coordination efforts to other out-of-school time programming within those agencies as we move forward. The Inter-agency Management Team is currently discussing plans for joint training opportunities, adapting the Teen REACH Benchmarks for use in 21st Century Community Learning Center sites, and exploring ways to implement common reporting systems.
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Developing strategies to increase business involvement in out-of-school time has been a key component of the Partnership’s work since the creation of the Task Force. The Partnership was a lead partner in Governor Rod Blagojevich’s After-school Business Summit, held in November 2004. This summit provided a venue to educate business leaders about the importance of after-school services and how partnerships with after-school programs can help address business needs. Co-hosted by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, the summit showcased innovative examples of business investment in activities for youth outside of school. Business representatives from across the state discussed the returns they have received from their investments in the programs. The summit encouraged partnerships between business and after-school programs at the state, regional, and local levels.
This summit marked the beginning of a statewide effort to increase businesses support of after-school. The Partnership has worked with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and continues to work with chambers of commerce, and other business leaders in targeted communities around the state to identify opportunities for collaborations to support and expand local out-of-school-time programs for children and youth.
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The Partnership understands that collaboration at the community level among all major stakeholders is vital for an effective statewide after-school system, as well as garnering input from the community, parents and youth about the need and quality of after-school. The Partnership is working to understand how resources can be coordinated and enhanced at the local level and to identify and promote effective collaboration practices, through the work of the Policy work group and by connecting to Illinois After-school Alliance efforts to build community leadership. The Partnership also seeks to increase quality opportunities for after-school stakeholders to network and exchange information through peer mentoring, on-line forums, and statewide and regional meeting
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The Illinois After-School Partnership is pleased to provide, “Nourish Their Bodies, Feed Their Minds: Funding Opportunities for Meals and Snacks Provided by After-school Programs in Illinois.” This guide is designed to help after-school and summer program providers Illinois access federal funding through the Child Nutrition Programs. This guide offers information on eligibility guidelines, local examples, resources on how to enroll, and much more. A PDF version of this guide can be downloaded and printed by clicking here. To order one or more printed copies of the guide, please email kkovach@icvp.org. Include your name, address, phone number, and number of copies you wish to receive. The guide is free so order yours today!
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The Food and Research Action Center (FRAC) has new new materials that promote child nutrition programs and provide useful nutrition information for families. The materials include information on serving suppers during after-school time hours, nutrition guidelines, and sample menus. Additionally, it discusses the connection between healthy eating and wellness, provides tips on how to shop for healthy foods on a tight budget, and gives further food and nutrition related resources. For more information please click here.
Lt. Governor Programs- The Illinois After-school Partnership believes supporting healthy lifestyles and community service and collaboration are key elements of quality out-of-school time programs. We are working in partnership with Lt. Governor Quinn’s office to provide information about activities and programs sponsored by his office that are easily accessible and adaptable by out of school time programs within the State of Illinois. Below are brief summaries and links to information related to healthy living and service learning. There are also resources specific for youth and teachers.
Walk across Illinois
The Walk Across Illinois is designed for participants to challenge obesity, high blood pressure, and lack of physical activity by walking on average one half mile a day for one year. It is aimed at preventing health problems and increasing life expectancy among Illinois Residents. This is a 167 mile journey, the width of Illinois between the Mississippi River in Rock Island and Lake Michigan. Please contact the Lt. Governor Pat Quinn’s Office to receive a mile tracking log. Upon receipt of the logs the participant begins tracking their journey and once completed receives a certificate of achievement and formal recognition on the Lt. Governor’s website per participant discretion. To learn more information on Walk Across Illinois please click here.
The Walk Across Illinois Program is a wonderful way to get young people involved in physical activity while engaging in a state wide effort to bring awareness to healthy living. Activities can incorporate lessons on nutrition, body image, and community mapping to name a few. Your after-school program can host small fundraisers or town forums to bring community members and businesses together to discuss the health needs specific to your area. The out of school time hours give the opportunity for young people in an after school program to get the physical activity and healthy living messages they may not receive during the school day.
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