American Youth Policy Forum (2006). Helping Youth Succeed Through Out-of-School Time Programs. Washington, DC: American Youth Policy Forum.

Pages: 55     Price: $5.00    ISBN: 887031-94-4

The American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF), a non-profit, non-partisan professional development organization, offers a comprehensive over-view of Out-of-School Time Programs (OST) described as slated events designed to provide activities to youth. The booklet contains well-written, thoroughly documented and researched information beginning with an Executive Summary which details the significance of OST programs as worthwhile, effective, and essential in the positive development of youth; filling the potentially vulnerable times of evenings, weekends, and after-school hours.

Part one of this booklet is a review of the literature. AYPF offers a summary of pertinent research on the benefits of OST programs, funding, participation by older youth, and the significance of a well-trained staff. AYPF claims funding is the largest hurdle for programs, the typical cost being $10-$32 per day per youth. Creative program directors rely on funding from several federal programs. These funding sources are listed. In particular, the 21st Century Community Learning Center, which falls under the umbrella of the No Child Left Behind program, is noted as having been created specifically to support OST programs with Congress allocating $991.07 million in fiscal year 2005 for operations.

According to AYPF, positive results of OST programs rely on good quality staffing. Intentional recruitment of facilitators who are committed and engaged with the program's goals and purpose is necessary, as is maintaining an adequate infrastructure to support the work of facilitators and avoid burnout. AYPF references several resources related to workplace and staffing issues discussing problems of stress and overwork

Part two offers emerging themes in OST programming developed from site visits and actual forums, identifying leadership as the most essential to promote, grow, support, and preserve OST programs. It includes detailed descriptions of effective leadership.

In part three, AYPF offers recommendations for practitioners who operate OST programs and policy makers who provide funding. Among the areas of focus suggested for policy makers are: to consider how OST programs can provide support for youth by expanding, complementing, and extending learning opportunities, acknowledge the need for youth to develop skills beyond academics, and see OST programs as an excellent venue to provide the additional services. With regard to practitioners, AYPF suggests OST programs should have a different look than traditional schools at the middle and high school level, and programming should involve the youth in decision making. It also suggests that to retain participation of older youth a menu of high-interest activities should be included.

The end of the publication lists a number of program contacts (Pp. 42-44), project advisors (p. 45), and references (Pp 49-55). Overall, AYPF has clearly and passionately demonstrated the importance and significance of OST programs while offering sound recommendations to sustain, build, develop, and grow towards positive progress.

Reviewed by Shirley Denson, currently enrolled at the University of Oklahoma (Norman Oklahoma), as a Ph.D. student in Educational Studies (History, Philosophy, and Social Foundation of Education), with an emphasis on the Social/Historical perspective. Ms. Denson also has an Associates of Science degree in Alcohol and Substance Abuse counseling (AS); both Bachelor (BA) and Masters Degrees in Criminal Justice (MA); and a Master degree in Human Relations (MHR).