Martin County OST Quality Improvement Initiative

The Martin County Out-of-school Time Quality Improvement Initiative supports out-of-school time (OST) programs, funded by the Children's Services Council of Martin County with ongoing quality coaching, onsite training, mentoring of youth development strategies and professional development. OST programs support children and youth before school, after school, summer, weekends and during seasonal breaks.

MC QIS

A seal that indicates that the program is committed to offering high quality programing and that the program is a participant of the Quality Improvement Initiative.

The tips included in this video will familiarize you with Zoom, and offer helpful tips so you are ready to join us for our online professional development trainings. You can sign up for a free zoom account here: https://zoom.us/signup

Training Opportunities

Excelling In OST - VIRTUAL

February 20, 2025

9:00 a.m .- 11:00 a.m.

Click here to register.

Are you new to Out-of-School Time? If so, this training is for you! Excelling in OST is a training designed for new Out-of-School Time (OST) professionals in their first to second year of service. Excelling in OST is an introduction into the profession, explores the impact of OST professionals on youth development and the critical role they play in the community. Participants will explore how to excel in the OST profession and develop personal commitments to ethical conduct as they carry out their responsibilities. Participants will leave with resources to grow professionally and take the next step to truly excel in OST.

Training Objectives

Participants will:

  1. Gain an understanding of the OST profession.
  2. Identify benefits to young people through participation in OST programs.
  3. Understand how to maintain ethically sound conduct in the OST field.
  4. Develop individual, personal, or professional development goals.

Core Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies Addressed (CKSCs): 

Learning Environments and Curriculum

Physical Environments and Curriculum

Identify - B. Understands how children and youth learn through relationships, activities, play and other experiences.

Apply - Shows warmth, caring, and respect for children, youth, and other as individuals.

Professional Development and Leadership

Responsibility and Commitment:

Apply - A. Demonstrates the ability to work effectively with others.

Ongoing Professional Growth:  

Identify - B. Values ongoing self-reflection, self-assessment, and problem-solving strategies to promote professional growth.

Apply - B. Develops and implements a professional development plan.

Leadership and Advocacy: 

Apply - C. Advocates for self and others.

Primary QIS Scales Addressed: 

I.  Safe Environment

I-E. Creating Safe Spaces

II. Supportive Environment

II-I. Fostering a Growth Mindset

III. Positive and Inclusive Environment

III-K. Sense of Belonging

IV. Engaging Environment 

IV-P. Supporting Young People Interests

Supporting Children with Diverse Needs in OST  - IN PERSON

February 22, 2025

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Click here to register.

Out-of-school time spaces are an important setting for young people with a range of needs and abilities to build community and a culture of acceptance. This introductory training will help you to create an environment in your out-of-school time program that better meets the needs of children with different abilities. Through practical activities, reflective conversation and hands-on practice, you will learn how to adapt and fine-tune program experiences to appropriately involve and support children with special needs in a spirit of compassion and acceptance.

Training Objectives

Participants will:

  1. Identify the general characteristics of common developmental disabilities.
  2. Practice using People First Language.
  3. Recognize the impact of living with a sensory regulation disability.
  4. Demonstrate how to adapt OST activities to strengthen inclusivity.

Core Knowledge, Skills and Competencies Addressed (CKSCs):

Learning Environments and Curriculum 

Physical Environment and Activities

Apply - G. Creates environments and experiences to value, affirm, and respect diverse needs, abilities, experiences, and backgrounds.

Physical, Social/Emotional, and Cognitive Development

Apply - F. Adapts cognitive and physical activities and interactions to support diverse needs, abilities, and interests.

 

Relationships and Interactions with Children and Youth

Individual Child/Youth Guidance

Identify - B. Is aware of factors that may impact behavior.

 

Equity and Inclusion

Equity and Antiracism Program and Leadership Practices

Apply - C. Uses people-first language and avoids labeling children, youth, and adults by their identity.

Inclusive and Accessible Physical and Social Spaces

Apply - A. Creates an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful environment for all.

Apply - E. Creates activity accommodations for children and youth who require them and/or would benefit from them.

 

Primary QIS Scales Addressed:

 

I.Safe Environment

I-E: Creating Safe Spaces

III. Interactive Environment

III-K: Sense of Belonging

Training Testimonial

After Reframing Behavior Management training concluded on October 19, 2022, including 45 attendees, Prime Time professional development manager asked what their take-away was from the three-hour session.

Hear from Candice Delions from the Boys & Girls Clubs Martin County - Bill and Barbara Whitman Branch in the video below.

Q&A

Q: Are programs in Martin County offered incentives and scholarships?

A: Not at this time.

Q: Who is the point-of-contact for this Initiative?

A: Lynn Stanavitch, Prime Time Quality Improvement Initiative Project Manager. Her contact information is located on the right.

Q: Can we attend events and trainings offered by Prime Time in Palm Beach County?

A: Not at this time. Please register for the trainings that are offered on this webpage.

More Information

Contact

DANIEL HUDSPETH

Quality Improvement Initiative Project Manager
561-327-4171 ext. 131
dhudspeth@primetimepbc.org

A True Professional in the Out-of-School Time Field

By Katie Jacob | March 15, 2019

Written by Elisa Moro, Career Advisor & Registry Coach, Prime Time Palm Beach County Youth Development Specialist at City of Greenacres Youth Programs, Amrita Rampersad, has been working in the out-of-school time field for more than four years and enjoys being able to inspire youth, expand their learning and help them to experience new things…

Moving Up with Confidence

By Katie Jacob | February 15, 2019

Written by Elisa Moro, Career Advisor & Registry Coach, Prime Time Palm Beach County Working with youth is something Katie Wilke has always known she wanted to do. She has been working in the out-of-school time field for five years and loves watching the children grow into amazing people and being able to have a positive…