DASH provides children plenty of structure, variety and stimulation, while focusing on the development of confidence, good sportsmanship, teamwork and fair play. Two DASH leaders, who serve the first 50 children who sign in after school, staff each site. FTE benefits package. School principals and parents serve on all hiring panels. Both programs emphasize staff training, and innovative, quality programming.
Monthly training continues throughout the year.
Staff members report strong positive feelings of identification with their respective programs, and a sense of belonging to a team. To ensure safety, school resource officers from the Chula Vista Police Department prepare staff to recognize and handle emergencies. Staff is provided with a detailed emergency and safety manual. Each semester, they conduct and document fire and earthquake drills. Using walkie-talkies and cellular phones, they communicate with one another, with school personnel and with parents.