EN 
ES 
FR 
UK 
BS 
AR 
ZH BUILDING BLOCKS RESOURCES
IDAHO BUILDING BLOCKS OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME QUALITY
Online Resource Guide
This resource guide is a collection of resources, tips, and activities for each of the 8 Building Blocks. This guide is intended for all programs with varying levels of experience and at various stages of the improvement process. Program can access the full guide or only the sections of the guide that are most useful to them.
Intentional Program Design
Quality programs offer a variety of activities that are active, developmentally appropriate, and culturally sensitive to enrich the physical, social, emotional and creative development of all participants. The program has identified their desired youth outcomes and has directly connected program activities to those goals.
Resources
Continuous Quality Improvement Templates
Resource Guides and Handbooks
- Intentional Program Design Diagram
- ABC’s…123’s Starting Your Afterschool Program
- Getting it Right: Strategies for Afterschool Success
- Keys to Quality Afterschool: Environments, Relationships, and Experiences
- Student-Centered Learning in Afterschool: Putting Students’ Needs and Interests First
- Institute of Education Sciences: Structuring Out-of-School Time for Academic Achievement
- Preparing Youth to Thrive
- Y4Y: Sample Program Schedule
- Y4Y: Intentional Activity Design - Mapping Needs to Activities
- IEP Release Example
Trainings
Activities
Supportive Relationships and Environments
Quality programs purposefully create a welcoming environment. Programs develop, nurture, and maintain positive relationships and interactions among participants and staff while creating a sense of security, belonging, and ownership.
Resources
Continuous Quality Improvement Templates
Resource Guides and Handbooks
Trainings
- Building Relationships With Children Who Challenge Us
- Death, Loss, and Grief: Understanding How to Support Children
- Positive Youth Development: Foundations
- Positive Youth Development: Building a Culture of Belonging
- Supporting LGBTQ Youth
- Tools of the Trade for School-Age Practitioners: Positive Guidance
- Y4Y: Building Relationships (Training To Go)
Activities
- Y4Y: Positive Learning Environment Observation Checklist
- Y4Y: Building Student/Educator Relationships Questionnaire
- Social and Emotional Learning Practices
- The In-School and Afterschool Social and Emotional Learning Connection
- Teaching Restorative Practices with Classroom Circles
- Restorative Practice Lesson Plan Guide
- Calm Relationships Lesson 1
Websites
Videos
- Restorative Circles: Creating a Safe Environment for Students to Reflect
- Teaching Procedures, Rules, and Respect During the First Days of Seventh Grade
- 4 Ways to Start Connecting With Students in the First Week Back
- California Afterschool Network | Quality Standards in Practice (Safe and Supportive Environment)
Youth Voice, Leadership, and Engagement
Quality programs promote a sense of purpose and individual empowerment in youth through opportunities to engage in a rich variety of experiences, participate in planning, and exercise choice and leadership as well as implement and evaluate program activities.
Resources
Continuous Quality Improvement Templates
Resource Guides and Handbooks
Trainings
Activities
Due to recent Federal Government mandates, we have removed the “Responsiveness to Culture and Identity” Quality Building Block and its associated resources from the Idaho Out-of-School Network website.
This decision aligns with the updated federal guidelines and ensures compliance with current regulations. While the specific resources under this building block are no longer available, we remain committed to fostering supportive and welcoming environments for all children, families, and providers in out-of-school programs across Idaho.
We encourage programs to continue prioritizing practices that value and respect the unique needs of the communities they serve, even as we adapt to meet evolving federal requirements.
If you have any questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Responsiveness To Culture And Identity
Quality programs create a safe and adaptive environment which recognizes that culture, family and personal history is core to a young person’s identity formation. The program is respectful and responsive to the diversity of program participants, their families, and community.
Resources
Continuous Quality Improvement Templates
Resource Guides and Handbooks
Trainings
Activities
Websites
Community, School, and Family Engagement
Quality programs communicate their value to and connect with the wider community. Programs establish and maintain strong working partnerships with families, schools, and community stakeholders.
Resources
Continuous Quality Improvement Templates
Resource Guides and Handbooks
Trainings
Organization and Leadership Management
Quality programs are effective organizations with a coherent mission, well-developed systems, and sound fiscal management to support and enhance quality programming and activities for all participants.
Resources
Continuous Quality Improvement Templates
Resource Guides and Handbooks
- Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence
- ABC’s…123’s Starting Your Afterschool Program
- Getting it Right: Strategies for Afterschool Success
- Staff Selection: What’s Important for Out-of-School Time Programs
- Wallace Foundation: Strong Director/Skilled Staff
- The Youth Center: Employee Handbook & Personnel Policy
- Niles Teen Center: Policies and Procedures Manual
- Jamestown Teen Center: Student and Parent Handbook
- St. Mary Villa: Parent Handbook
- Sample Job Descriptions
- BGCA: Sample 21st Job Descriptions
- BGCA: Sample 21st Director Duties
Trainings
Ongoing Staff Support and Volunteer Development
Quality programs ensure competent, motivated, youth-centered staff and volunteers through effective orientation, training, and a philosophy that values continued professional development.
Resources
Continuous Quality Improvement Templates
Resource Guides and Handbooks
Trainings
Youth Safety and Wellness
Quality programs provide safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate learning environments for all participants.
Resources
Continuous Quality Improvement Templates
Resource Guides and Handbooks
- Resource Guide: Creating Quality School-Age Child Care Space
- Imagine: Afterschool Space That Works
- Public Playground Safety Handbook
- CDC: Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Within Youth-Serving Organizations
- Darkness to Light: 5 Steps to Protecting Our Chidren
- Example: Charleston Miracle League | INTEGRATED POLICIES, PROCEDURES, & GUIDELINES FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION
- Example: Abuse Prevention Sample Policy, A resource for Provider Agencies Serving People with Special Needs
- Example: Charlotte YMCA | Child Abuse Prevention Policies for Staff and Volunteers
Trainings
Websites
- Idaho Children's Trust Fund
- Darkness to Light | End Child Sexual Abuse
- Safe Kids Thrive!
- American Camp Association: Chid Abuse Prevention Resources
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Playground Safety
- American Red Cross: Make a First Aid Kit
- American Red Cross: Disaster Preparedness for Teachers
- American Red Cross: Disaster Preparedness for Schools
- Summer Food Service Program
- Child and Adult Care Food Program
Videos
Take the Next Step
Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe, supportive environment. Find a high-quality out-of-school program near you and give your child a place to shine.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
We offer tools and support to help you make the best choices for your child:
Learn more about the standards behind high-quality programs
Browse programs in your area
We’re here to help if you have questions