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!

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  Corporate Care Works (CCW) graciously offered multiple trainings to afterschool staff throughout the year. These trainings offer a chance for employees to take a moment for themselves, which makes 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 2012-2013 school year:

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• default_titleTime Management and Effective Communication – October 13, 2012
• default_titleCreating Healthy Lifestyles – January 26, 2013
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Risk & Benefits Management’s Wellness Coordinator, Kim Sandmaier, provided blood pressure screenings to over 400 employees at Afterschool Programming’s All Staff Training at Rolling Green Elementary on September 8, 2012 and Starlight Cove Elementary on October 13, 2012. 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.

Students and staff of Citrus Cove Elementary School blanketed the school in a cloud of pink on October 17, 2012 when they supported the Afterschool Program’s Breast Cancer Awareness. The 300 students enrolled in the program received care packages with Breast Cancer Awareness shoe laces, bracelets, and socks. The afternoon agenda included presentations by two teachers who are also Breast Cancer survivors, Maryann Cain and Diane O’Connell. Afterschool Director, Sheila Ross, said the event marked two significant occasions, “Citrus Cove joined thousands of schools around the country who held a variety of events to emphasize the afterschool programs that continue the learning experience for students after the end of the regular school day and raising the awareness of our students about the fact that we are fighting and winning the battle against Breast Cancer every day.”

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk funds lifesaving research and support for people battling cancer. On November 9, 2012 the Afterschool Programming staff sponsored a team that participated in Light the Night Walk West Palm Beach – 2012.

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 86 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)...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 requires a 22 hour course, a written exam and a practical exam. Upon completion participants are certified as PCM practitioners. A total of 60 afterschool site staff were trained and received certification or recertification in PCM during the 2012-2013 school year. The Department of Afterschool Programming had four staff members successfully complete all requirements to become Certified PCM Instructors in February 2013. They have facilitated all initial, upgraded and recertification trainings for afterschool staff since April 2013.
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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.