Washington Regional Afterschool Project (WRAP)
Created in 1999, this collaboration of agencies provides a regional approach to increasing the quality and availability of afterschool and youth development programs (AYD) in Washington State. WRAP enhances program quality by meeting the programs’ particular needs by whatever means is appropriate: onetime or ongoing on-site assistance, professional development or resources.
Research shows that the number one indicator of a high-quality afterschool and youth development program is well-trained staff.
WRAP not only works on improving the quality of programs, but also raising awareness at the local level around the importance of ensuring young people have access to programs and increasing their availability.
The WRAP system and its community-based specialists enhance AYD programs by:
- Bringing together key local individuals to develop a plan;
- Coordinating workshops, conferences, networking opportunities and distributing funding information;
- Working one on one with licensed school age programs to assist in self assessment, setting and meeting program goals and implementing program improvements through the PQA process;
- Educating community members (educators, law enforcement officers, business owners, social and public health workers, elected officials and others) about the importance of quality AYD activities.
WRAP Regions and Lead Agencies
Each WRAP region has a lead agency and a WRAP specialist based at the partner agency. School’s Out Washington serves as the administrative lead for WRAP, and houses the specialist for the Central region.
Connect with Your WRAP Region and Specialist
Click on the region name: Central, North Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest.
Click on the map below to enlarge it.
Download a pdf with more information about WRAP.