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In 2003, a core group of stakeholders, representing diverse public
and private perspectives on afterschool, met for several months
to discuss afterschool issues, identify resources and gaps,
and determine the need for and benefits of
a statewide network to coordinate and promote afterschool initiatives
and programs in Iowa. These discussions led to the Iowa
Collaboration for Youth Development agreeing
to take the lead in organizing and supporting the formation
of the Iowa Afterschool Alliance (IAA). The IAA supports participating
entities to make current work more efficient and effective and
works to secure new resources by communicating common messages
and increasing public awareness and support for afterschool programs.
The IAA recognizes that opportunities and experiences in out-of-school
time are critical to the positive development of children and youth.
Before and after school, weekend, and summer activities offer many
opportunities to supplement the regular school day and are increasingly
being used as a strategy to reinforce learning and improve academic
achievement. Recent research and program evaluations have shown
that well-designed, quality afterschool programs not only keep
children safe and help working families, but also improve learning,
academic performance, and social skills of youth.
The IAA is a partner of the Iowa Collaboration
for Youth Development (ICYD). ICYD, which was formed in 1999, is
a state-led initiative designed to better coordinate youth policies
and programs based on a positive youth development framework and
to build capacity of youth-serving systems. As partner of ICYD,
the IAA has a direct link to state agency heads and policymakers
who participate on the ICYD Steering Committee.
The IAA receives financial support from
the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the Roy J. Carver Charitable
Trust. Additional support is provided by the Iowa Commission on
Volunteer Service, the Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Workforce
Development, and the Iowa Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice
Planning through the Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development.
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