The Five Components of Project My Time

Project My Time is designed to improve after-school programs for all DC children. In addition to the investment in pilot programs in middle schools, Project My Time has five components that will strengthen after-school programs in the city. Project My Time:

• Builds closer partnerships among DC schools, libraries, parks and recreation, after-school providers and community organizations to achieve better outcomes for children.
• Produces diverse high-quality programs that fit children’s needs and interests. Project My Time provides training for after-school providers to help them develop curriculum, improve staff capacity, and devise effective programs. Project My Time works to make sure that after-school programs are located in neighborhoods with the most need and fewest current programs.
• Develops youth outcomes and standards that will make it easier for after-school providers, funders and schools to assess how well programs are meeting the needs of youth. Eventually, these outcomes and standards will be used to develop a certification process for DC out-of-school time programs.
• Develops a data system that will enable schools, after-school providers and other service providers to share information about children’s needs and available supports and services. The data system also will enable the Trust to evaluate the effectiveness of its programs.
• Conducts a communications campaign to build awareness of the value of after-school programs for students. This campaign is aimed at building excitement and interest in participating.