Promoting Professionalism in your Staff

In a field where staff turnover is high and training budgets slim, personnel issues represent a major challenge for programs. But ignoring human resources can threaten a program’s overall success.

“You simply cannot create a quality afterschool environment without creating quality staff,” says Betsy Haas of Esteemed Human Development in Van Nuys. But programs can improve their staff’s professionalism—even on a shoestring—by paying extra attention to recruitment, training, and recognition.

Many staffing challenges can be prevented up front, says Dave Pratt of Desert Christian Schools in Lancaster. “Too often, we’re anxious to just get a warm body in our programs,” he notes, “rather than taking the time to assess needs and match skills we’re looking for to an applicant.”

Supervisors should ask themselves where gaps exist: Does the program need a Spanish speaker, a musician, or someone who knows preteens? Answering those questions can help target recruitment in places where candidates you need live and circulate. Consider having students in your program design “help wanted” signs to catch the eye of people who like children, and post these at local colleges and community centers.

Once hired, staff should have ongoing training—from an orientation that gives employees background on your program (ideally before they begin supervising kids) to periodic team-building and skill development. Ongoing training gives staff the motivation and drive to continually improve their performance for kids, and it needn’t be a big expense.

The CalSAC Trainer Network can deliver free, customized training at your site on school-age care and afterschool topics of your choice. Whether training on including children with special needs, integrating academic standards, behavior guidance or other subjects, CalSAC Trainers offer a range of resources—even topics especially for administrators, such as hiring, staff supervision and team-building.

Finally, make a daily commitment to nurturing, appreciating, and talking to your staff. “It’s important to get the message to staff that we notice what they’re doing, and we’re here for guidance and support,” Petaluma afterschool consultant Sue Edwards explains. “Learning about staff on a personal level—their dedication, interests, what motivates them—brings positive results for children and families.”

Article from the Winter 2004 edition of CalSAC Connection.