Afterschool Program Help!

Afterschool programs invest time in the personal growth and development of your child by engaging them in meaningful activities. The trick is finding a program that will fit the needs of your child and the family budget!

Help with Childcare
Afterschool programs may be a bit hidden due a partnership with another program that is larger. The Afterschool Alliance suggests that parents try looking at community centers, settlement houses, and community learning centers, full-service schools, museums and libraries. Childcare facilities with afterschool programs within them may be categorized as an “Extended Learning Center” or “Supplemental Educational Service”.  Thinking outside the box will lead you in checking into some of the art councils within your community or the local youth employment programs.

The federal government has an active database for local youth afterschool programs, all you have to do is put your zip code in. School districts in Houston have a lot of resources on afterschool programming, be sure to ask the principals, counselors, and teachers about 21st Century Community Learning Centers program or visit their website or this strong resource that provides help Child Care Aware. KidSource Online by Wendy Schwartz has an awesome guide for choosing an afterschool program, the tips below came from her article.


Childcare Facility Questions

• Is the afterschool program in a safe and clean environment? 
• Is there enough space for activities and quiet time? 
• Are the rest rooms adequate? 
• Are nutritional snacks or meals provided? 

• Do the activities look exciting and challenging? 
• Are they age-appropriate? 
• Are the participants having fun as well as learning? 

• Can children come before school and on holidays as well as in the afternoon? 
• Is there an extra fee for that? 
• Is there a late fee if you must pick up your children after the program is over? 

• Can children attend only a few times a week instead of every day? 

• Are there extra fees for trips, personal tutoring, and lessons? 


Computer Child Sex Offenders!

Children use the Internet more than playing outside, climbing trees, riding a bike, roller-skating or simply playing games with their friend. We are in a digital age and have to protect our children from child predators via the Internet! The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) published tips for parents keep their child safe from computer child sex-offenders.

Online After Dark
When children are online at night it increases the risk of them becoming a potential victim. Although these computer child sex-offenders are always online, the majority of them work during the day thus leaving their evenings free to search for child!

Pornography 
Sex offenders often supply their potential victims with pornography as a means of opening sexual discussions and for seduction. Child pornography may be used to show the child victim that sex between children and adults is "normal."

Unknown Phone Numbers
Your child may not give out their phone number, but computer child sex offenders are cunning, they will give your child their phone number. According to the FBI these computer child sex offenders have gone as far as telling the child to call collect or obtaining a toll-free number, to hide their identity from parents. Since we are in a digital age the use of a caller ID makes it easy for the sex offender to have your phone number.

Internet Safety A Parent's Guide with Mr. Arturo Trejo 

PBS Digital Studios

Published on Jun 28, 2012 by PBSParentsPicks

Retrieved from YouTube on August 3, 2012

Patti Ghezzi offers some excellent tips for parents in her article Internet Safety Tips for Parents.  Talk to your child and tell them that people on the Internet are not always who they say they are. Then take the time to demonstrate on the computer how easy it is to set up a false identity online. Remind them to never give out any personal information online and teach them how to be vague online. Since children are naturally trusting, don’t assume that your child knows everything about Internet safety or how to protect themselves from computer child sex offenders.