Out-of-School Time and Community Programs TAG Resources

Help Youth Connect to Supportive Adults, Positive Peers, Schools, and the Community 

• Map My Community
  This online search tool identifies community assets, including local and federal resources and evidence-based youth programs. Searches can be done by using zip codes, key words, or by program area.  (Youth.gov)  
• Maps and Data Reports to Enrich Community Work
  An interactive mapping, networking, and learning utility for the broad-based healthy, sustainable, and livable communities’ movement. Build a report by using the Community Health Needs Assessment to help identify assets and potential disparities in your county/region. (Community Commons)
• Growing Together, Learning Together: What Cities Have Discovered About Building Afterschool Systems
  This report uses up-to-date evidence to identify four components that are essential to building a sustainable afterschool system. (The Wallace Foundation)

Create a Safe, Warm, and Enriching Space 

• Keeping Kids Safe - PDF 
  An issue brief highlighting research and examples related to the role of afterschool programs in keeping children safe and supported. (The Afterschool Alliance and MetLife Foundation) 
• Online Professional Development and Technical Assistance for 21st Century Community Learning Centers: Implementing Project-Based Learning 
  Provides tools and information to support afterschool providers in assessing and building partnerships. (You for Youth, a project of the U.S. Department of Education)
• Preventing Youth Violence: Opportunities for Action - PDF 
  This guide summarizes what’s known about effectively preventing youth violence and provides action steps to help communities, public health professionals, families, and young people take steps today to stop youth violence before it starts. (HHS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) 

Encourage Physical Activity and Good Nutrition

• My Plate for Teens
  Comprehensive information on nutrition and physical activity and online tools and tips to support healthy living for teens. (U.S. Department of Agriculture) 
• Physical Activity Guidelines Midcourse Report: Strategies to Increase Physical Activity Among Youth  
  This report identifies interventions that can help increase physical activity in youth ages 3–17 years across a variety of settings. (HHS, President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition)
• Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
  The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (PAG) provide science-based guidance to help Americans age 6 and older improve their health through appropriate physical activity. (HHS, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)
• NAA Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Standards - PDF 
  These standards for out-of-school-time programs aim to promote good nutrition and foster physical activity in programs. (National AfterSchool Association)
• Presidential Youth Fitness Program 
  The Presidential Youth Fitness Program places emphasis on the value of living a physically active and healthy lifestyle—in school and beyond. These web resources provide information about fitness and health and tools educators and parents implement and support the Program. (HHS, President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition)
• Adolescent Health Resources for Healthy Eating and Exercise for Out-of-School Time Providers  - PDF
  This resource lists healthy eating and exercise options for adolescents outside of their school environments. (HHS, Office of Adolescent Health)

Be Another Set of Eyes and Provide a Listening Ear

• Family and Youth Resources on Mental Health 
  Educational resources for youth and parents on mental health issues and guidance on how to get help.  (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) 
• Community Action Planning: Bullying Prevention Training Module
  Materials to create a community event using promising bullying response strategies. Contains resources to conduct an assessment before the event, a sample template agenda for the day of the event, and follow-up steps. (StopBullying.gov)
• Talking with Teens
  This online resource is tailored for parents (families or guardians) and aims to help them build the knowledge and skills they need to begin and maintain two-way communication with adolescents. (HHS, Office of Adolescent Health)

Share Local Health Resources with Youth

• Find a Health Center
  Online searchable database of local health centers. (HHS, Health Resources and Services Administration)
• Middle School Health Starts Here
  Online resources for teens on a range of topics, including physical health, body image, mental health, and sexual health. (National Association of School Nurses)  
• Local Health Service Locators
  A list of local health service locator websites on topics including health insurance, health care, mental health, substance use, youth services, health information, and related assistance programs. (HHS, Office of Adolescent Health)
• Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator
  This locator is an on-line source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance use disorders and/or mental health disorders. (HHS, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

Teach Youth About Staying Healthy and Safe

• Healthy Relationships in Adolescents 
  Research-based information and tips on how to help teens develop healthy relationships and navigate challenges. (HHS, Office of Adolescent Health) 
• Protecting Kids Online
  Resources to help parents and other adults reduce online risks to kids’ safety. (U.S. Federal Trade Commission) 
• Internet Safety Tools
  Information and tools for schools and families to promote online safety. (U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
• Inspiring Change in Communities & States 
  This digital magazine from the YMCA has information on transformations, out-of-school and afterschool programs, and access to healthier foods. (YMCA of the USA)

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