On October 1, 2005, Wisconsin received a grant from the C.S. Mott Foundation to establish the Wisconsin Afterschool Network (WAN) as an intermediary organization bringing together over 200 stakeholders representing governmental agencies, state and local associations and non-profit organizations, youth serving organizations and funders. In October, 2008, continuation funds were awarded to Marshfield Clinic to provide leadership and serve as fiscal agent.
Advocacy
We champion afterschool and summer learning
- We are Wisconsin’s voice for afterschool and summer in Madison and Washington DC.
- We advocate for state and federal legislative and regulatory initiatives supporting the expansion, affordability and accessibility of afterschool and summer programs.
- We disseminate research on the benefits of programs, alerts on proposed government initiatives, and mobilize children’s advocates to take action.
- We work directly with public administrators and elected officials to create effective policies that support school-age youth and the professionals that care for them.
Training
We improve the quality of afterschool and summer programs
- We promote quality standards and offer opportunities for program staff to develop the skills to meet those standards, receive support and network with their peers.
- We offer a full range of professional development for afterschool workers, managers and volunteers, from webinars and workshops to full-day conferences, from on-site training and one-on-one coaching.
- We conduct quality advising site visits to help programs improve.
- We develop innovative curricula designed specifically for settings outside the traditional classroom.
- We consult with municipalities and school systems on ways to build coordinated systems that support all-day, all-year learning.
- We provide a telephone on-line support to answer questions.
Leadership
We are catalysts for communication and collaboration
- We educate the community about how afterschool programs offer a safe haven where children can learn and have fun.
- We convene different segments of the community and facilitate communication among afterschool professionals, school leaders, law enforcement officials, policymakers, civic leaders, philanthropists and other partners to establish accountability and a system of support for Wisconsin’s young people.
- We are a resource center of best practices, cutting edge programs, curriculum and research about how to encourage children’s successful academic, social and emotional outcomes.
- We support statewide partners and local coalitions addressing the needs of children and providers.