Political Quotes

“Next week, members of the afterschool community will be gathering for the 20th anniversary of the National AfterSchool Association Conference. The initial conference held two decades ago marked the first formal meeting of afterschool professionals under their own organization to discuss and develop solutions to address the needs of school-age children during their hours out of school. Of course, back then we didn't call it afterschool. Instead, we talked about 'latchkey' programs for 'latchkey kids.' At the outset, these programs replaced the need for latchkeys around the neck with welcoming, safe, and nurturing environments; they were a prime factor in the creation of the Act for Better Child Care. As pioneers in the school-age movement, this passionate, dedicated group of leaders recognized that the needs of these students were distinct from those of early childhood. Their movement helped school-age providers network and share resources, culminating in the creation of the National School-Age Care Alliance, which later became the National Afterschool Association, NAA.”