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Increasing Youth Participation in Out-Of-School Time Programs
Two new briefs from Child Trends offer ways to increase youth participation in out-of-school time programs.
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Using Incentives to Increase Participation in Out-Of-School Time Programs
Research suggests that regular participation in out-of-school time programs can benefit children and youth in many ways. Incentives such as food, prizes, and field trips may promote program attendance, a sense of belonging to a program, and increased academic achievement. A new Child Trends brief, Using Incentives to Increase Participation in Out-of-School Time Programs, provides key strategies for implementing a successful incentive program, including:
- Providing age-appropriate rewards to children, youth, and families.
- Partnering with local organizations for gift certificates, trips, and other incentives.
- Using incentives sparingly.
- Setting clear goals with specific rewards.
The brief also includes a list of print and online resources, as well as advice from a practitioner who has successfully used incentives to promote program attendance and involvement.
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Youth Governance Can Help Out-Of-School Time Programs Involve At-Risk Youth
Children and youth who are the most "at risk" are also the least likely to participate in out-of-school programs. A new Child Trends brief, Youth Governance: How and Why It Can Help Out-of-School Time Programs Involve At-Risk Youth, discusses the benefits of involving at-risk youth in out-of-school time program governance. It also identifies steps that programs may consider when implementing a youth governance model and presents recommendations for dealing with potential challenges to implementation, including:
- Guidance in establishing clear goals for how youth will be integrated into leadership roles.
- Ways to avoid power struggles and stereotyping between youth and adults.
- Strategies to build trust and rapport among youth leaders.
The brief also includes advice from a program director who has involved youth in governance and a guide to additional resources.
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