Afterschool Initiatives

Florida Receives High Scores in Afterschool Progress Report

Florida is one of only nine states to receive four out of a possible five stars in the latest afterschool progress report released by the Afterschool Alliance and the JC Penney Foundation. The report is titled The 2011 State-by-State Afterschool Progress Reports and Consumer Guides. A score of four stars indicate that although there are unmet needs, the state is making great progress towards improving the development, enhancement and sustainability of afterschool programs. No state received a score of five.

"Although we are certainly proud of our progress and appreciative of the recognition, work still needs to be done to increase the quality of Florida's afterschool programs," said Larry Pintacuda, executive director of the Florida Afterschool Network (FAN). "Every child should have high quality afterschool programs available that are accessible, affordable, accountable and inclusive."

Scores for the report were devised using a range of factors falling under three major categories including:

Growth in Afterschool Participation that gauged how afterschool availability, support and awareness has grown in each state from 2004-2009
Developments in State Afterschool Policy and Funding that determined current state legislation and funding activity and the extent of each state government's support for afterschool
Advancements in Afterschool Leadership that measured existing support structures and the amount of afterschool leadership in each state at the federal, state and local level.

Research confirms that kids in quality afterschool programs perform better in school, are more likely to graduate, and become productive citizens. In addition, they are less likely to get in trouble with the law, become involved with gangs and utilize drugs and alcohol.

For more information about the afterschool progress report, please contact Larry Pintacuda at lpintacuda@floridacsc.org or 850-402-5437.

Florida Afterschool Network Announces New Changes*

The Florida Afterschool Network (FAN) is pleased to announce some exciting changes. Joe Davis has been appointed the Chief Operating Officer for the organization.

Davis previously was the Chairman of the FAN Board of Directors. In addition, he most recently served as Chief of the Bureau of Family and Community Outreach at the Florida Department of Education. Joe's commitment to Florida's children and families has resulted in several awards, including a statewide "Award of Excellence" from the Florida Afterschool Alliance, an Honorary Life Membership in the Florida PTA, and Fellow status with the Florida Supreme Court Justice Teaching Institute (JTI). Davis is a lifelong educator who is a great addition to the FAN staff.

"I am very excited about my new position," said Davis. "The Florida Afterschool Program is a great organization that is truly making a difference in communities across the state. There is still much to do, and I am looking forward to taking on the challenge."

Linda Lanier has been named the Chairman of the FAN Board of Directors. Lanier previously served as Vice Chairman and has been the Executive Director and CEO of the Jacksonville Children's Commission since 2003. She is also the current chair of the Florida Children's Services Council (FCSC). She previously served on the Commission on Homelessness, appointed in 2000 by Governor Jeb Bush.

Dr. Steve Wilkerson has been named to the FAN Board of Directors Vice Chairman Wilkerson has been President of the Florida Cable Telecommunication Association since 1987 where he is the CEO for the trade association representing four major cable companies in Florida who serve five million cable customers. His commitment education runs deep. He sits on the Board for the Florida Institute for School Innovation, Florida Network for Runaways and the United Way of Leon County (just to name a few).

Executive Director Larry Pintacuda has been unanimously promoted by the Board of Directors to the title of Chief Executive Director. Larry has worked tirelessly to build the Florida Afterschool Program in to the organization it is today.

"Joe, Linda and Steve have been an integral member of the FAN Board of Directors for many years," said Executive Director Larry Pintacuda. "We have taken so many steps forward in the past year for afterschool programs, and I know we are only going to take more. I am honored the Board has valued my work and named me CEO, and I am thrilled for the future."

*Article courtesy of Larry Pintacuda, Chief Executive Director of FAN

In this Issue

Afterschool Initiatives

Florida Receives High Scores in Afterschool Progress Report

Florida Afterschool Network Announces New Changes*