phillyost partners
In 2013, DHS assumed management responsibilities for OST. In this
new role, DHS formed the OST Partners Work Group. to develop
system level standards and practices for coordination and program quality. Various organizations which play a prominent role in the
field of after school programming in Philadelphia participate in the
OST Partners Work Group as well as provide services to the OST system. Through this collaborative effort, DHS adopted a system level framework
for Quality Improvement.
The following describes the role of each partner related to increasing the level of program and staff quality across the OST system:
new role, DHS formed the OST Partners Work Group. to develop
system level standards and practices for coordination and program quality. Various organizations which play a prominent role in the
field of after school programming in Philadelphia participate in the
OST Partners Work Group as well as provide services to the OST system. Through this collaborative effort, DHS adopted a system level framework
for Quality Improvement.
The following describes the role of each partner related to increasing the level of program and staff quality across the OST system:
- The After School Activities Partnerships (ASAP) facilitates weekly enrichment clubs – Chess, Debate, Scrabble, and Drama – that correlate to improved academic achievement (e.g. strategic thinking, problem solving skills and literacy) and promote positive socialization (e.g. teamwork and peer-to-peer relationships). Program curricula are designed to complement classroom learning through structured weekly sessions and to build communities of diverse yet like-minded youth through program events such as regional and citywide competitions and theatrical performances.
- The Health Promotion Council (HPC), of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, was founded in 1981 to implement community-based education and control programs. Our core values are addressing diversity, focusing on community and maintaining integrity. HPC, In partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Health, created the Out-of-School Time Healthy Living Guidelines, which ensure that students are physically active and eat healthy foods when attending OST programs.
- The Philadelphia Out-of-School Time Literacy Initiative (POSTLI), a project of the Free Library of Philadelphia, supports after school literacy using high impact literacy strategies delivered through professional development and supportive on-site coaching. A proven record of increasing youth literacy rates, POSTLI uses the focus and goals of individual programs to infuse literacy into their work with youth.
- The Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN), a non-profit organization, serves as a catalyst for collective action by developing and delivering youth workforce development models that change systems and improve educational and economic outcomes for youth. For the past three summers, PYN provided almost 2,000 paid work experiences for OST high school youth
- The Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is a nonprofit public health institute that builds healthier communities through partnerships with government, foundations, businesses and community-based organizations. It fulfills its mission to improve the health of the community by providing outreach, health promotion, education, research, planning, technical assistance, and direct services. In 2008 and 2012, PHMC was selected through an open solicitation process to serve as the administrative entity for OST. PHMC coordinates provider contracts and payments, manages the OST database and supports provider program improvement efforts through a comprehensive technical assistance and professional development plan.
- Black Women in Sports Foundation (BWSF) partners with middle programs to provide athletic skill building training to girls in traditional and non-traditional sports. The primary objective is to help female youth participants acquire a baseline level of competency in the selected sport. BWSF will provides sports programming over a six week period for 15 – 25 girls (per site) currently participating in OST programs. Female youth participants will participate in either a showcase and/or intramural competition to demonstrate learned skills at the end of the six week period.
- School District of Philadelphia (School District), with the creation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), between the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the School District not only makes OST facilities available for program operations, but also facilitates partnerships between provider organizations and school leadership on behalf of youth. This document outlines the general expectations and arrangements for school-based programs, reflecting the following guiding principles for effective school and provider relations
