Wisconsin

Wisconsin Afterschool Network

The Wisconsin Afterschool Network (WAN) provides technical assistance and support to schools and community partners, with a goal of facilitating the provision of high-quality afterschool programs to a diverse school-age population that result in an increase in academic achievement, enhance positive youth development and encourage family involvement.

Wisconsin Afterschool Network
Accomplishments: 
  • Funded by a national Supporting Student Success (S3) grant and Marshfield Clinic, WAN served as the convener of a collaborative process to develop draft standards for Wisconsin school-age programs.
  • In partnership with the Department of Children and Families, WAN’s S3 efforts led to active participation in the development of a school-age Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) for Wisconsin.
  • WAN facilitated an unprecedented collaborative communications process that supported the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and public/private stakeholders in constructively examining an alignment of childcare regulations and funding.
Current Projects and Initiatives: 
  • WAN is currently assisting the Department of Children and Families in developing a YoungStar QRIS school-age criterion for submission to the state legislature.
  • WAN is developing a training and professional learning system that aligns with both YoungStar and Department of Public Instruction afterschool initiatives.
  • WAN is analyzing best practices and data from the field to assist in making informed decisions and recommendations regarding current childcare licensing regulations.
  • WAN is in the initial stages of mapping afterschool assets in Wisconsin, to determine the quality and availability of current programming to identify gaps in services and funding.