MAYOR’S TIME MAKES A UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION TO DETROIT

Mayor’s Time provides unique leadership and support for after-school providers, public departments and officials, adding significant value to the process of providing after-school programming. Our role is to create sustainable change. It is not to provide temporary after-school services. Instead, we work to ensure that public policy, funding streams, and the practices of schools, government and program providers are optimal for expanding the quality after-school services for youth. The role is one of a catalyst for change.

Information and Education – Parents cite lack of awareness of available programs as the number one barrier to enrolling their children in after-school programs. Mayor’s Time connects children and parents with existing after-school programs in their neighborhoods, provides information and guidelines to choosing the most appropriate program, and facilitates convenient registration. One major program launched is the September After-School Fair, which in three years has brought together 28,000 children and parents with hundreds of after-school providers. The Mayor’s Time website provides “one-stop shopping” for more than 800 programs in Detroit, including program description, location, ages served, cost and transportation provided, if any.

Data Collection and Outcome Measurement – Increased after-school activity is correlated with its effect on grades, attendance, conduct records, indicators of early sexual activity. A new Mayor’s Time Information System is being used in more than 100 after-school provider locations in the city to gather data on participation which then is correlated with data obtained from the Detroit Public Schools. This data collection system was customized for Mayor’s Time by the software developer, EZreports, allowing for information uploads by community- and faith-based organizations.

Expanding Capacity and Creating New Programs – An After-School Investment Strategy explores creative ways to access state, local and county funding for the purpose of expanding after-school programs has been developed. This strategy includes utilizing funds from the private sector to leverage public resources to expand out-of-school opportunities. Mayor’s Time supplies technical assistance and training to after-school providers so they can meet public funding requirements and demonstrate cost effectiveness.

Guidelines for after-school programs have been created for programs, detailing structure and processes for program planning and development, rules for safety, health and nutrition, and administrative procedures.

Since 2001, through advocacy and partnerships, Mayor’s Time has played a significant role in bringing more than $40 million into the region for after-school operations.

Advocacy – Mayor’s Time is leading Detroit’s efforts in promoting after-school programming to officials, funders and policy makers. Deficits are challenging all levels of government, and Mayor’s Time is assisting city, county and state officials and departments in identifying ways to re-allocate existing resources to support after-school programs.