Frederick County Out of School Programs are provided to middle school youth who are deemed by referral source to be at risk for negative academic, social and/or legal outcomes. Comprehensive programming includes daily opportunities for youth engagement during the school year, as well as summer programming for youth deemed most at-risk for academic failure, behavioral/emotional problems and/or DJS involvement. This research-based programming is aligned with established best-practices and is designed to engage youth in meaningful programs that assist them in becoming healthy young adults.

School-Year Component – 150 youth, 30 from each of the five middle schools prioritized through a multi-variable analysis of school attendance, suspensions, FARM, MSA scores and DJS referrals. At least 50% of youth attending after school programs must be referred by an outside referral source such as DJS, CASS, school guidance counselor or psychologist.

Summer Component – 25 youth are selected from the referred participants in the school-year program. These youth are deemed by educators/referral sources to be at highest-risk for academic failure, social/behavioral problems and/or DJS involvement. In addition to established staffing and programming, youth participating in the summer component will be paired with trained high school mentors for peer-to-peer support and modeling.