Welcome to the Delaware Afterschool Network, celebrating our 5th anniversary!

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Your support creates empowered communities throughout Delaware.
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  • 62,518 (47%) kids in Delaware would participate in an afterschool program if one were available
  • 21, 404 (14%) kids were on their own and unsupervised between the hours of 3 and 6pm in 2020 in Delaware
  • 16, 237 (11%) kids in Delaware participate in afterschool programs
  • 3, 088 kids in Delaware participate in a 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) program—serving children living in high-poverty areas and attending low- performing schools
  • 81% of Delaware’s parents say afterschool helps them keep their job and 85% say it helps provide them with peace of mind

Source: Afterschool Alliance 2020 America After 3PM report

2022 Attendance Awareness Month

Did you know that September is Attendance Awareness Month? Everybody plays a role in ensuring children attend school regularly.

Afterschool and Early Education Providers can provide the extra support and guidance that students and families need to develop good attendance habits. The strategies include:

  • Stress the importance of building a habit of good attendance to parents and students
  • In early education programs, hold an activity first thing in the morning that children are excited to participate in
  • In afterschool programs, consider making school-day attendance a requirement for participation in afterschool.
  • Create contracts or participation agreements with parents, making clear your expectations on attendance.
  • Track program attendance and chronic absence numbers carefully and share with the school district.

Learn more about what you can do to promote attendance from the Attendance Awareness Campaign

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What We Are Doing

Raising Awareness
DEAN raises awareness of the impact afterschool, out of school and summer programs have on youth success.
Gathering Data
DEAN gathers, analyzes and shares data to drive improvements in afterschool, out of school and summer practice and policy.
Creating Meaningful Bridges
DEAN provides intentional and meaningful bridges between leaders of schools, communities and families in order to better support youth learning.
Establishing and Strengthening Structures
DEAN establishes and strengthens structures, pathways and principles for high-quality afterschool, out of school and summer programming.

School Related News

From Our Blog

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Adjusting to a New Normal: Lessons Learned From After School Matters Summer 2021 Programs
Sharing the News

Adjusting to a New Normal: Lessons Learned From After School Matters Summer 2021 Programs

What People are Saying

The Delaware Afterschool Network advocates for all afterschool programs in Delaware and ensures afterschool professionals have access to local and national professional learning opportunities.
Statewide Partner
I found my leadership voice while participating in the Delaware Afterschool Network and National Youth Leadership Council Service-Learning Random Acts of Service Video Project! I feel more confident speaking with peers and adults about the challenges in our community and how to address them.
Student, Wilmington
During the pandemic, my child’s afterschool program has helped with remote academic support especially homework help.
Parent, Sussex County

THANK YOU!

We couldn’t do our work without our Funders, Partners and Council Organizations.