Our Mission, Vision, and Values
School's Out achieves its mission through playing an intermediary role in the out-of-school-time system. The main components of an intermediary organization’s role are:
- Engaging, convening, and supporting critical constituencies
- Promoting quality standards and accountability
- Brokering and leveraging resources
- Promoting effective policies
Mission
School’s Out Washington provides services and guidance for organizations to ensure all young people have safe places to learn and grow when not in school. School’s Out Washington is dedicated to building community systems to support quality out-of-school time programs for Washington’s 5-18 year olds through training, advocacy and leadership.
Vision
School’s Out Washington strives to build communities where…
- All children and youth are safe, happy and thriving with caring adults during their non-school hours.
- Quality out-of-school time options are available to all, responsive to community need, and integral to community well-being.
- Funding for out-of-school time options and supports is ample, varied and on-going.
- Out-of-school time professionals are valued, respected and well-compensated with easy access to training and education.
Goals: What We Do
School’s Out Washington aims to …
- Increase affordable and quality out-of-school time programs accessible to all of Washington’s 5-18 year olds, particularly children from low income families, children of color and children with special needs.
- Create community systems to support out-of-school time programs.
- Improve the knowledge and skills of out-of-school time professionals.
- Strengthen partnerships between out-of-school time programs and schools.
- Promote policy development for out-of-school time programs through national, state and local advocacy efforts.
- Increase comprehensive funding for all out-of-school time programs.
- Educate communities about the importance and benefits of out-of-school time programs.
- Develop leaders who create a stronger voice for out-of-school time.
Values: How We Approach Our Work
School’s Out Washington strives for…
Quality
We value quality by learning and using relevant means to encourage internal and external excellence and accountability.
Equity
We value equitable access to opportunities for all children and youth.
Action
We value responding to emerging community needs and implementing relevant solutions through active leadership.
Connection
We value fostering relationships, building partnerships and connecting communities and resources.
Innovation
We value exploring and sharing new and creative ways to carry out our work and achieve our goals.