What is the BOSTnet Network?

Quality Environments for Youth

BOSTnet maintains and provides an up-to-date information network with networking opportunities, training opportunities, and resources for all stakeholders in out-of-school time.

BOSTnet Leadership Roundtables: Boston and North Shore locations. This is the only ongoing free professional development and networking for out-of-school Program Directors in Boston and now the North Shore region.  Now in our tenth year, BOSTnet hosts roundtables to provide EEC approved professional development on Quality Environments for Youth on topics such as youth environments, behavior, project-based learning, and community relationships. Explore best practices and quality improvement strategies, share resource information, funding opportunities and new program curricula. View the 2008-2009 Roundtable Schedule.

BOSTnet Conferences: Over the years, BOSTnet has organized a variety of conferences for after school professionals and other interested constituents as a means of providing more in depth training and networking. Our most recent conference was entitled "All Means All" and served to promote and educate about inclusion in after school programs.                      

BOSTnet FACES OF THE FIELD: BOSTnet highlights exemplary staff and youth from Boston's Out-of-School Time Network. For the Summer of 2006, Jamion Brown (youth) and Jenelle Holder (staff) represent the best in the field. Find out more about them in the Faces of the Field Gallery.
Faces of the Field Gallery

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Communications

BOSTnet's BUZZ:  Our monthly e-newsletter is designed for out-of-school time professionals.  It highlights up-to-date BOSTnet news and events, community opportunities, training opportunities, grant opportunities, and youth opportunities.  Find out about BOSTnet  RFP opportunities, upcoming trainings and learning series, policy meetings, and other resources that are available to the out-of-school time community. Click here to view the latest version.

BOSTnet's Policy Network: BOSTnet provides the latest policy updates, including timely calls to action to contact local senators and representatives regarding legislation that affects after school programs.

BOSTnet's State of the Field Reports: BOSTnet publishes quarterly State of the Field reports on a variety of topics important to the health and vitality of the field. State of the Field Reports draw upon the latest academic research, local and national trends in the field, as well as the knowledge and experience we gain from working directly with programs on professional development, quality improvement and advocacy. Click here to read the latest edition.

BOSTnet Blogs: An informal place to discuss issues of field quality, policy and leadership and provide a forum for stakeholders to post their ideas and observations about issues critical to effective OST leadership. It will also allow all of us to comment on these posts and engage in open dialogue.

BOSTnet's YouTube: Short videos from the field, forums and conferences so that our work and the work of the field can be shared with a global audience. Click here for our latest video.  

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BOSTnet Partnerships

BOSTnet Partnerships: BOSTnet is an active partner in many out-of-school time collaborations.  We convene out-of-school time professionals, parents and families, youth and other key stakeholders to organize on specific advocacy issues.  Staff members participate in a number of coalitions and partnerships to advance out-of-school time policy.  BOSTnet participates on the Public Policy and Youth Working Groups. Legislative Commission on After School and Out-of-School Time – BOSTnet was appointed to the commission to develop recommendations on the state of after school and out-of-school time by February 2006.