School success is considered a priority due largely to the reduced economic and educational opportunities available to youth who have not received a high school diploma.  These young people are more likely to spend their lives periodically unemployed, on government assistance, and earning an average of nearly 30% less than their peers who complete high school. 

Out of School Time programs are prioritized by the Cecil County LMB given that there is a general need for after school and summer activities as evidenced by 2016 needs assessment data, and because prevention and early intervention activities increase protective factors for vulnerable youth who are not under the direct supervision of their parent or guardian for specific periods of time.

The Boys and Girls Club combines the academically-focused programs of Power Hour (homework help) and Project Learn (fun, high-yield learning activities) with SMART Moves, a health and life skills program designed to teach youth resistance and refusal skills, assertiveness, strong decision making, an understanding of peer influence and the practice of responsible behavior.  Although the SMART Moves program is not nationally recognized by SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) has many years of data from the implementation of this program, and is nationally recognized as a respected leader in youth development programming.  One benefit of being part of a large, national organization is that outcome measurement tools are made available to local sites.  The local program will implement the National Youth Outcomes Initiative (NYOI) survey to show the success rate of many of its components and activities, including the proposed programs.  According to national annual results of the NYOI survey from 2014, Boys & Girls Club participants showed higher rates of abstinence from Last 30-Day Use of Alcohol, Cigarettes and Marijuana than the national average, as measured by the Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance Study.  The same report indicates club participants show a decrease in school truancy and increased academic success.  (Source:  National Youth Outcomes Initiatives 2014 Outcomes Report (pp. 22-23, Rep.). (n.d.). Boys & Girls Clubs of America.)

Cecil County Public Schools

North East United Methodist Church

Cecil County Local Management Board

Power Hour is an incentivized academic assistance program. Club members participate in after school homework help, study sessions; several members grades have improved as well as their confidence due to the extra assistance they received at the Clubs, from staff and community volunteers.

• Triple Play is a health and fitness program performed daily at our clubs. Club members are given the opportunity to engage in fun physical activity for 30 minutes to an hour each day. They are also taught about the importance of working as a team and the values associated with team sports. Super Dojo and

Planet Fitness came out to the Clubs to get our kids physically active every other week. It was a great partnership, but more than that, it taught our kids respect, self discipline, new techniques to cope with various situations, and acceptance of one another's differences and abilities.

• Leadership Clubs ie; Keystone, Torch Club are programs in which club members learn the value of giving back to their community. Members elect officers, perform community and club service projects and develop leadership skills. This year we focused on a cause the the 5th grade members and up selected, which was giving back to other kids. They raised $75 for a local family to assist with transportation to and from the child's treatments. They also collected soda can tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House.

• Youth of the Year. Each year our clubs identify a few club members who have shown a commitment to bettering themselves through club membership. This year Trinity, age 14 from the Elkton Club, represented the Cecil Clubs. She is a wonderful role model for our younger members, her peers, and the

community.