Washington Afterschool Network (WAN)
Washington is one of thirty-nine states supported by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to build and sustain a statewide afterschool network that promotes sustainable and effective afterschool programming. The Washington Afterschool Network (WAN) is a formal statewide collaboration which serves as the action arm for School's Out and is designed to improve the quantity and quality of afterschool programs in Washington.
WAN leadership includes School's Out as the lead agency and fiscal agent. School's Out partners in this effort with 16 other agencies who represent a diverse array of systems and organizations providing afterschool and youth development (AYD) services in Washington. These agencies have committed substantial fiscal resources to WAN and representatives to serve on the WAN Steering Committee, a group which oversees the goals, governance, and progress of WAN. More information is available about WAN's current efforts in this overview document and you can read about WAN's Accomplishments of 2010-2011.
The WAN Partnership Group is comprised of interested community members and partners and serves as both an advisory panel and work group. Regular Partnership Group participants include policy makers, educators, childcare providers, youth development workers, program developers, advocates, parents and others. Quarterly Partnership Group meetings are held at various locations throughout Washington State and are open to anyone interested in afterschool and youth development issues. These meetings bring together diverse stakeholders in the field to advance WAN’s three goals:
Goal 1 – Create a sustainable structure of statewide, regional and local partnerships particularly school/community partnerships focused on supporting policy development at all levels.
Goal 2 – Support the development and growth of statewide polices that will secure the resources that are needed to sustain new and existing school-based/school-linked AYD programs.
Goal 3 – Support statewide systems to ensure AYD programs are of high quality.
If you want to know more about afterschool program resources, policy updates and Washington Afterschool Network opportunities, sign up for our monthly WAN E-News.
For more questions or to find out more about the Washington Afterschool Network, please contact the Network Director, Janet Frieling, or call her at 206.323.2396 or 888.419.9300 (in Washington State).
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, established in 1926 in Flint, Michigan, by an automotive pioneer, is a private philanthropy committed to supporting projects that promote a just, equitable and sustainable society. We are grateful for their continued support for this important work.