Strong Staffing & Professional Development

Table of Contents
The Framework

A high-quality program builds and nurtures a team of youth development professionals by recruiting, training, and retaining staff and volunteers in a way that supports their ongoing personal and professional growth. 

Indicators:

  • The program provides staff with a handbook, orientation, and basic training in important areas like safety, child development, and positive behavior management.
  • The program leaders check in regularly with staff, listen to their ideas, and provide acknowledgment through feedback, coaching, and collaborative planning, which creates a supportive workplace.
  • The program staff can grow their skills through different types of training throughout the year, including online courses, in-person workshops, and opportunities to learn with and from other staff.
  • The program staff are trained to work well with youth and staff from all backgrounds, build strong relationships, and respond to youth needs in respectful ways.
  • The program offers staff ways to advance their careers, take on new roles, and develop leadership skills within the organization.

How to start or improve:

Texas Standards of High-Quality Out of School Time Programs

Standard Category 2: Staff and Volunteer Management requires programs to implement policies that prioritize adult and youth well-being through the recruitment, training, and retention of qualified professionals. Strong teams are cultivated through continuous personal and professional development and clearly defined career pathways.

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Texas Partnership for Out of School Time (TXPOST)
Jenny McClure, Director of Programs
jenny@txpost.org

Category 1: Director and Staff Qualifications and Training guidelines require a structured commitment to ongoing professional growth through individualized annual training plans for both directors and staff. By emphasizing high standards for formal education, specialized credentials, and instructor-led training, these measures ensure a qualified team of professionals who are prepared to provide high-quality care and leadership.

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Texas State Alliance of YMCAs
https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/texas-rising-star

The Job Quality Standards provide an evidence-based framework for equitable recruitment, training, and retention. These standards enhance staff development by formalizing career pathways and fostering a supportive, inclusive workplace culture.

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National AfterSchool Association (NAA)

The AQuA tool guides programs to build and sustain a well-trained, supported, and mission-aligned workforce through intentional hiring, ongoing professional development, and strong leadership practices.

Dallas Afterschool
Olga Gonzalez, Vice President of Program Services
ogonzalez@dallasafterschool.org

6DQ highlights high‑quality youth development practices, including reflective facilitation, culturally responsive engagement, and effective feedback and assessment cycles. While not a hiring or HR tool, 6DQ offers clear guidance on practitioner behaviors—such as fostering mutual respect, affirming diverse perspectives, and giving intentional feedback—that strengthen staff capacity and professional practice.

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Big Thought
Inquiries can be made using the form on the page linked to below.
https://www.bigthoughtinstitute.org/contact-us

One section of the Quality Practices Guide focuses on Effective Team Leadership and includes the key indicators of how OST programs can effectively train and support their teams, along with a variety of online resources.

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Learn All The Time Network (Andy Roddick Foundation)
Marisa Zappone, Learn All The Time Network Director
marisa@arfoundation.org