A Quality Improvement Initiative Grant for 2006/07 was awarded to eight Guilford County Afterschool ACES programs and a local child care program for $65,283.00 through Regional Child Care Resources and Referral (RCCR&R) of Guilford Child Development. Awarded programs made a commitment to increase their star rated license by at least 1 star on or before May 31, 2007. Programs could score up to 7 points by having the SACERS assessment completed; up to 7 points in Education and earn 1 bonus point. In North Carolina a program must have 14 to 15 points total to achieve 5 stars which is the highest possible on a scale of 1 to 5 Stars.

Over 60 staff from the awarded programs attended training by Robin Sink, Regional School-age Specialist of RCCR&R on the School Age Care Environmental Rating Scale (SACERS). Technical support was offered on-site for programs participating in the grant. The School-age Care Environmental Rating Scale is the primary instrument used to assess afterschool programming in North Carolina. The scale looks extensively at 7 subscales which include: Space and Furnishings; Health and Safety; Activities; Interactions; Program Structure; Staff Development and Provisions for children with Special Needs.

Grant monies were used to purchase age appropriate materials and equipment that lined up with the SACERS to enhance opportunities and choices for children ages 5-12 during their out of school time. Dramatic changes were made in room design within the allocated space as well as scheduling adjustments to create a more inviting environment for children. CONGRATULATIONS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!

1. Colfax Elementary ACES: Transition from 3 to 5 Stars
2. Hunter Elementary ACES: Transition from 3 to 5 Stars
3. Jamestown Elementary ACES: Transition from 3 to 5 Stars
4. Jefferson Elementary ACES: Transition from 3 to 5 Stars
5. Claxton Elementary ACES: Transition from 4 to 5 Stars
6. Florence Elementary ACES: Transition from 4 to 5 Stars
7. Madison Elementary ACES: Transition from 3 to 4 Stars
8. Murphey Elementary ACES: Transition from 3 to 4 Stars
9. Wings of Life, Inc. Transition from 1 to 4 Stars

A great big THANK YOU to the NCDCD State Licensing Consultants and the NC Rated License Assessment Project for your help!

*REMEMBER TO MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE November 2007 NORTH CAROLINA AFTERSCHOOL CONFERENCE in Concord, NC

Robin Sink, Regional School-age Specialist
RCCR&R of Guilford Child Development