A new tool to find out-of-school time programs in Mecklenburg

The Council for Children’s Rights has partnered with the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute to create a locator map of “out-of-school-time” programs in Mecklenburg County. The interactive map allows users to identify programs based on a specific neighborhood location by zooming in on the map. Users can also select programs by location, program name, zip code and grades served from drop-down boxes to allow for an easy search for programs a child may qualify for. The tool is also available on the CFCR website (click here).

The goal of the locator map is to provide information to the community on where out-of-school-time programs are located and whom they serve. Greg Schermbeck, director of education initiatives at the Council for Children’s Rights, said, “Our goal for creating the Out-of-School-Time Program Locator is to help families and students increase access and awareness to quality out-of-school-time programming in their neighborhoods. We know that students spend 75 percent of their time outside of school and connecting them to enriching opportunities for their development is critical. Charlotte-Mecklenburg is home to over 70 out-of-school time providers that offer a wide-range of programs and services for students of all ages. We hope that this tool helps connect our students to one of these quality programs. Council for Children’s Rights is thankful for our partnership with UNC Charlotte Urban Institute for creating this locator and looks forward to serving and supporting out-of-school time in our community.”

The locator map continues to expand on the work the Council for Children’s Rights has done on out-of-school time programs including the Expanded Learning: Building a Framework for Out-of-School Time report published in 2013. CFCR will also host professional development sessions on out-of-school time topics that run through May 2015. A complete list of the professional development sessions can be found here. CFCR is also working to ensure the locator is accessible via mobile phone. With continuing support from the Council for Children’s Rights, the locator will be updated with new out-of-school-time programs and information on a quarterly basis.

Click the image below to go to the interactive dashboard:

Staff