History
The Utah Afterschool Network is a non-profit association established in 2005 by a statewide consortium of over 100 afterschool practitioners, youth advocates and leaders of state agencies. We work to connect key decision makers and resources to establish statewide structures that foster policies committed to funding and sustaining quality school-based/school-linked afterschool programming. "Afterschool" is an umbrella term for programs that improve outcomes for young people grades K-12 and occur during non-school hours (i.e. before school, after school, weekends, and summers).
Vision
Every child in Utah has access to a high quality afterschool program.
Core Beliefs
The Utah Afterschool Network (UAN) and its partners believe high quality out-of-school time programs improve outcomes for children and youth in a variety of ways. Participation in quality programs improves academic achievement, school attendance, student engagement, work-study habits, and social and emotional development. Additionally, afterschool programs keep kids healthy and safe, support working families, and foster strong links among schools, families, and communities. The supports and services that high quality out-of-school time opportunities provide are especially important for low-income and minority youth who often lack sustained access to enriching activities and academic support during non-school hours.
Networks Goals
UAN works to accomplish three main goals:
- Increase public awareness and public will about the value of afterschool programs.
- Build partnerships and policies focused on securing resources to develop and sustain afterschool programs.
- Ensure programs are high quality.
