In Kentucky, over 121,020 children are responsible for taking care of themselves outside of the school day. But it does not have to be that way. The Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance, a partnership between Kentucky Child Now and the Kentucky Department of Education, is working to create a sustainable state-wide structure that will influence local, state and national policy ensuring that every child and youth in Kentucky has access to a high quality afterschool program.
History:
Established in October 1, 2007, the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance is a collaborative effort that brings together a powerful and influential group of adults -- including educators, legislators, policy makers, and child-care providers -- who care about the well-being of Kentucky's young people. As members of the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance, they share a common vision and are working diligently to:
Accomplishments:
The Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance has accomplished a great deal in a short period of time, including extraordinary growth in membership and success in advocacy! The greatest accomplishment of the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance came in the spring of 2008: Congressman Ben Chandler and Congressman Ed Whitfield signed on as members of the Afterschool Alliance Caucus due to advocacy efforts of the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance. They are the first high level elected officials from Kentucky to do so!
This is just the beginning! To learn more about the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance or how you can help to support an afterschool program in your area, please contact Phyllis Elder, Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance Coordinator at their new location at the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative, PO Box 1249, Shelbyville, KY 40066. Phone number: 502-647-3533 extension 273.
Governance:
The Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance is guided by an Executive Committee of seven and the Strategic Leadership Team, currently at 30 members.
The Executive Committee includes representatives of the two partnering organizations of the grant, the Kentucky Department of Education and Kentucky Child Now, the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance Coordinator and the chairs of the four standing committees:
Currently there are one hundred and four members who are on one or more of the four newly established committees.
To learn more about how you can become a champion for Kentucky's youth by serving on one of the four committees, contact Phyllis Elder, Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance Coordinator at their new location at the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative, PO Box 1249, Shelbyville, KY 40066. Phone number: 502-647-3533 extension 273.