Professional Development

School's Out Washington understands that afterschool and youth development (AYD) staff are key to quality and successful afterschool programming. We offer an exciting array of professional development opportunities to meet a wide range of interests, schedules, needs and career paths in the afterschool and youth development (AYD) field. Through our professional development services, we train over 4,000 adults a year. Whether you are new to the AYD field or a seasoned director, professional development is an important investment in strengthening and expanding your skills and abilities as an AYD professional.

Training impacts more than just yourself and your staff. Research suggests that children and youth show an increase in positive behavior and engagement when their AYD providers receive ongoing professional development. Research also shows that the more training afterschool staff obtain, the more engaged and sensitive they are with children and youth in their programs. Our workshops, customized training, and other professional development events provide a wide range of ways for AYD professionals to expand their knowledge and skills. The annual Bridge from School to Afterschool and Back Conference offers a high-level experience for AYD professionals and educators and allows them to come together to build collaborative relationships and share resources and information.

Our committment to providing professional development is statewide. School's Out is the lead agency for the Washington Regional Afterschool Project (WRAP), a collaborative of agencies that provides a regional approach to enhancing a system of afterschool care. There are six WRAP geographic regions: Central, North Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest. In each region there is a WRAP Specialist who provides professional development opportunities, community planning and education, and technical assistance to individual programs for children and youth ages 5 to 18.