Mission

The mission of the Maine After School Network is to

1. Ensure high quality out of school time programming.
2. Find resources to support programs over time.
3. Foster partnerships at all levels to share knowledge and best practice.

Purpose

The purpose of the Maine After School Network is to enable every child to have access to quality, inclusive, affordable after school programming that meets the needs of the child, the family and the community.

Vision

Every school-age child in Maine will have access to quality; inclusive, affordable programs during out-of-school time that meet the needs of the child, the family and the community.

The Maine After School Network was created in response to the out-of-school time needs of school age children and youth in Maine. The network supports programming that meets the physical, social-emotional and education needs of the school-aged population.

The network is a collaboration with individual and organizational partners across the State, including, but not limited to the Department of Education, The Departments of Health and Human Services, The Governor’s Children’s Cabinet (Departments of Corrections, Education, Human Services, Behavior and Developmental Services, and Public Safety), The Maine School-Age Care Alliance, the Maine Chamber of Commerce, The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and disability Studies, the Maine Parent Federation and Maine roads to Quality.

Goals

The goals of the network are to:

• Foster statewide, regional, and local partnerships through clear communication among policymakers and providers, in order to coordinate services across the state.
• Assist in securing resources needed to develop new after school programs and sustain existing programs.    
• Assist with training, technical assistance and coordination to ensure that programs are inclusive, high quality, and meet the needs of children, families and communities.

Membership

Membership will be open to those with a personal or professional interest in providing high quality out of school time programs.