The Department of Afterschool Programming realizes the importance of employee wellness. All afterschool site staff members were required to complete Positive Ways to Work with Children. This training was designed to give staff working directly with students the tools for implementing a successful program. One component of this training discussed the importance of employees taking care of their physical, mental, and emotional health. In addition, the department organized trainings and special events throughout this school year that focused on employee wellness. While not required, these activities boosted camaraderie, decreased stress, and were FUN!

• Corporate Care Works (CCW)...CCW graciously offered multiple trainings to afterschool staff throughout this school year. These trainings offered a chance for employees to take a moment for themselves, which made them more productive in their work as an afterschool role model. These trainings discussed methods for dealing with stressful situations and times, handling negative thoughts and feelings, and discussed ways to improve communication and customer service skills. The following trainings were offered to afterschool site staff during the 2011-2012 school year:
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• default_titleCoping with Change – August 27, 2011
• default_titleMinding Your Own Business – August 27, 2011
• default_titleCustomer Service in Schools – September 10, 2011
• default_titleDoing More with Less – September 10, 2011
• default_titleBecoming More Assertive – February 28, 2012
• default_titleBuilding Effective Communication – February 28, 2012
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Risk & Benefits Management’s Wellness Coordinator, Kim Sandmaier, provided blood pressure screenings to over 200 employees at the Afterschool Programming Extravaganza on August 27, 2011. Blood pressure screenings provide early detection for high blood pressure, a potentially serious condition. Those who took the opportunity to have their blood pressure checked were given informational pamphlets describing blood pressure and its effects on the body if outside the normal range. In addition, blood pressure screenings were offered to afterschool site directors at the Afterschool Programming Open House held on January 19, 2012.

On Saturday, January 28, 2012, the District’s Afterschool Programming team participated in the Susan G. Komen South Florida Race for the Cure in West Palm Beach. The Susan G. Komen Foundation is the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to ending breast cancer. Fifteen afterschool site directors, Afterschool Programming department staff, and supportive family members came out for this exciting event. Many participated in the 5K walk, and several challenged themselves to participating in the 5K competitive run.

The Department of Afterschool Programming strives to make afterschool a positive experience for all students it serves. Wellness is a primary goal not only for afterschool students but for staff as well. As programs strive to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population, the scope of training for staff has also increased.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder...The Autism Spectrum Disorder training was developed by Susan Lowenthal, Liaison for the Department of Afterschool Programming. The goal of the training was to give participants an understanding of what it is like for a child on the Autism Spectrum and to see only the child, not the child with a disability. Participants learned how to offer the child a quality and successful experience in their afterschool programs. Training was provided to more than 42 afterschool employees this school year. This training was a requirement for every afterschool site director, and was recommended for any afterschool staff working directly with a child on the Autism Spectrum.
• Professional Crisis Management (PCM)...PCM focuses on four primary strategies taught by certified Instructors from ESE. Strategies included crisis prevention, crisis de-escalation, crisis intervention, and post crisis management. PCM training required a three-day workshop and test, and upon completion participants were certified as PCM practitioners. A total of 25 afterschool site staff were trained and received certification in PCM during the 2011-2012 school year.
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The Department of Afterschool Programming contracted with the District-approved nursing agencies to manage training and supervision of afterschool site staff responsible for medically-involved students enrolled in afterschool and summer camp. This provided comprehensive coverage of the medically-involved students in afterschool and camps.