William T. Grant Foundation
This very readable report, written by consultant and former journalist Joseph Ames, details how California implemented the largest state-funded expansion of after-school services in U.S. history. Ames draws four conclusions from his interviews with key people involved in the effort:
Know the current state of after-school services, and develop your plan accordingly; secure buy-in from as many partners as possible, as early as possible; combine in-state expertise with outside observations and suggestions; build consensus about what constitutes high quality, and be clear about what capacity exists.
The lessons should be useful to policymakers, practitioners and advocates in other states and cities who are planning on expanding their after-school programs. Free. 39 pages. (212) 752-0071, http://www.wtgrantfoundation.org/usr_doc/California_Afterschool_Expansion.pdf.
