The Network

STRENGTHENING PROGRAMS... ACCESS FOR ALL... MAPPING THE OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME LANDSCAPE...
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: Celebrating 10 years of developing directors to strengthen the after school network
This is the only ongoing professional network for out-of-school Program Directors in Boston.  Now in our tenth year, BOSTnet hosts roundtables every first Thursday of the month. Up to 125 different providers have participated in the past year, exploring best practices and quality improvement strategies, sharing resource information, funding opportunities and new program curricula. View the 2007-2008 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.                                  
View the 2007 Conference flyer.

BOSTnet Half-Day Forums: BOSTnet provides half-day forums for all levels of after school staff in order to provide further training and networking opportunities on the latest information on important topics in the after school field. This year we sponsored two half-day forums: Promoting Positive Behavior and Strategies for Working with Middle School Youth.
View the 2006 Youth Development 101 and Promoting Positive Behavior half-day forums.

BOSTnet Resource Fairs: BOSTnet provides Resource Fairs for after school staff as a means of creating better programs.  This past year, we hosted two Resource Fairs: the Youth Program Resoure Fair and the Summer Resource Fair.  The contact information from the resource organizations that attended the fairs is now available in an online virtual resource fair:           
2006 Virtual Youth Program Resource Fair
2007 Summer Program Resource Fair

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

____________________________________________________________

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 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, including:
Achieve Boston – A monthly meeting of out-of-school time leaders to bring a professional framework to the out-of-school time field. 
Boston Community Learning Center Monthly Management Team – Consists of 27 sites funded through the Boston Public Schools and the Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Center program.  BOSTnet provides training and technical assistance to the BCLC’s on inclusion of youth with disabilities and other topic areas.

Department of Early Education and Care – Monthly meetings to align Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC) and Department of Education policies to support out-of-school time.
Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership – A coalition of school age and youth providers across the state who focus on after school advocacy and public policy issues.  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.