THE IDAHO OUT-OF-SCHOOL NETWORK
Our Mission and Vision
Mission:
The Idaho Out-of-School Network’s (ION) mission is to build, advocate for, and lead a strong out-of-school community. ION provides tools and resources to increase access to quality youth programs.
Vision:
Every Idaho child has an opportunity to learn and thrive through participation in a high quality out-of-school program.
Goal Areas
From October 2020 -September 2023, ION will be working on the following goal areas: (1) Increase awareness about and access for out-of-school programs, (2) Organize policy and partnerships for out-of-school programs, and (3) Nurture quality and professional development for out-of-school programs. We are bringing public and private sectors together to accomplish these goals, as well as to affect policy for and investment in the quality and expansion of Idaho’s OST programs.
Increase Awareness and Access
ION is continuing to build and maintain a program directory as well as a partnership directory. ION regularly increases awareness of out-of-school and it's importance via a monthly newsletter, social media posts, creating program profiles, holding annual roundtables, and more.
Organize Policy and Partnerships
ION is working to sustain/develop funding that will support out-of-school programming. ION regularly participates in relevant advocacy days at the Capitol, hosts a panel at the Power Up Summit, and encourages programs to participate in Lights On Afterschool each October.
Nurture Quality and Professional Development
ION continues to maintain and grow the Idaho Building Blocks for Out-of-School Time Quality. ION also provides access to resources and trainings via an online professional development calendar, online resources, monthly webinars, and an annual summit.
Our History
The Idaho Out-of-School Network (ION) officially kicked off in October of 2014 after a year of laser-focused planning. Yet, the Idaho Out-of-School Network has roots that began in 2006 with Governor Kempthorne as the Idaho AfterSchool Alliance. Governor Risch continued the program, but unfortunately due to budget cuts, it was not able to sustain itself and ended in 2007.
Yet, those that saw the vision of what a program could do for Idaho, never let the concept die. In the planning stages, we were able to seek feedback and guidance to ensure a strong foundation for a sustainable program. Before the relaunch, Idaho was one of only six states that did not have a statewide program like the Idaho Out-of-School Network.
Thanks to a grant from the C.S.Mott Foundation, matched by Idaho dollars, ION continues to do its important work.
In 2017, the Network changed its name from Idaho AfterSchool Network to Idaho Out-of-School Network to better reflect the nature of our work.
Our Services
The Idaho Out-of-School Network provides out-of-school professionals with resources, tools and training to serve more youth. Here are some ways the Idaho Out-of-School Network serves you:
-Professional conferences & staff training events
-Promotional events, Afterschool Champions and Lights On Afterschool
-Finding grants & funding
-Learning Academy and online Webinars
-Community Roundtables
-Professional Newsletters & Social Media
-STEM Partnerships and TMC mobile makerspace labs
-Research Partnerships for Data/Presentations
-Site Visits
Jannus Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement
An unwavering commitment to culture of belonging and to fostering diversity, equity and inclusiveness is at the heart of Jannus. We embrace and celebrate the diversity of our staff, partners, volunteers and the communities we serve as reflected in our dedication to furthering these values through our policies, programs and all that we do.
