Our mission is to support New Hampshire's out of school time professionals in their work to create high quality, innovative programs for school age children and youth.
NAA CORE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND COMPETENCIES
The National Afterschool Association Core Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies for Out-of-School Time Professionals (CKSCs) have been developed to enable afterschool and youth development practitioners to demonstrate expertise and gain a higher level of recognition within their communities–particularly from school officials–that has long been sought after. The CKSCs outline what professionals who work with and for youth need to know, show, and grow to positively impact young people and the field. The CKSCs can be used across organizations, programs, and funding streams to define what it takes to work with and for children and youth. They can also guide the development of compensation structures, inclusive and culturally responsive hiring practices, professional development (PD) and PD plans, career pathways, credentials and qualifications, and mechanisms for demonstrating and assessing practitioner’s skills.
1. Child/Youth Growth and Development
2. Learning Environments and Curriculum
3. Child/Youth Observation and Assessment
4. Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth
5. Youth Engagement, Voice, and Choice
6. Equity and Inclusion
7. Family, School, and Community Relationships
8. Safety and Wellness
9. Program Planning and Development
10. Professional Development and Leadership
NAA CODE OF ETHICS FOR AFTERSCHOOL PROFESSIONALS 2022
The NAA Code of Ethics sets standards of conduct for the afterschool professional. It was designed as a resource to assist the afterschool professional in understanding the ethical responsibilities inherent in providing afterschool programs for children ages 5-18. The NAA Code of Ethics is intended to define the principles and practices that guide ethical decision-making strategies of afterschool professionals to ensure safe, nurturing environments and positive relationships for children and youth.
NAA CORE KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES SELF-ASSESSMENT TOOLS (2011)
Professional development requires reflection on one’s practices to identify strengths, recognize areas for future growth, and incorporate new learning experiences. Reflection heightens awareness of one’s own performance and leads to personal change and growth. The Core Knowledge and Competencies (2011) Self-Assessment Tool is designed to empower you to assess your knowledge and skills. It allows you, as a group leader, youth worker, or other youth development professional to:
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Assess your level of knowledge and skills in each one of the ten content areas.
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Identify specific areas of need for your future professional development.
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Plan specific actions that will lead to improvement.
Click here to download the NAA Self-Assessment Tools 2011.
THE AFTERSCHOOL PROFESSIONAL'S GUIDE TO SELF-CARE
Each of us feels the weight of stress and fatigue in daily life. Stress can reach every aspect of life, whether professional, personal, or social. As an afterschool professional, you likely also feel the stresses of youth in your care, compounding your own stress. You serve as a caring, stable adult to youth and are vital to their participation in afterschool. To ensure you provide youth with the best care possible and are responsive to their needs, it’s essential to place importance on your own well-being and self-care. The Afterschool Professional’s Guide to Self-Care provides information on the basics of self-care, in addition to practical self-care actions and strategies for managing your mindset to cope with stress.
ADDITIONAL GUIDES FROM NAA: