Depending upon the organization of the program, staff and leadership may be involved in a range of activities from planning to implementation of the program. Effective programs will find the principal in a supportive partnership role with program staff. It makes sense to involve students and families who will be using the program in the development and implementation phases. Students are an asset that schools and communities often overlook. Many times students have very creative ideas about how to use limited resources and time.
Parents are another resource that is often overlooked.
Working parents may not be able to volunteer every day, but they can likely participate occasionally, and they can be a valuable connection to the business community. They may also be able to help in other ways. Programs that have built-in flexibility and that actively seek feedback from parents and students will be best able to adapt as needs shift over the years. Although the staff of an after-school program cannot take the place of family, they can serve as mentors and positive role models. The relationships students develop with staff can have a major impact on their lives and can thus serve as protective factors counteracting other detrimental life circumstances.