History

NJSACC: The Statewide Network for New Jersey’s Afterschool Communities had its beginnings 40 years ago as a grassroots coalition made up of stakeholders such as education, government, industry, not for profit, for profit, health and human services to improve the quality of the growing field of afterschool.

In 1993, NJSACC became incorporated as a not for profit organization. NJSACC is a founding member of the National AfterSchool Association and currently serves as the state affiliate of NAA.

In 2007, NJSACC was selected to join the National Network of Statewide Afterschool Networks funded by the Charles S. Mott Foundation.

Mission

The statewide network for New Jersey’s Afterschool Communities advocates for the implementation of the New Jersey Quality Afterschool Standards and promotes and supports the development, continuity, and expansion of out-of-school time programs.

Vision

NJSACC envisions a state where every child has access to high-quality out-of-school time programs to strengthen youth, families and communities.

NJSACC Works to:

  • Build a strong network for afterschool program professionals in NJ.
  • Provide training conferences, workshops and information services.
  • Offer technical assistance, at no cost, for the development, expansion and improvement of afterschool programs throughout NJ. Technical assistance means that we are available to field questions, help programs identify resources and activities, and generally troubleshoot challenges they experience. 
  • Work closely with state and local officials to define appropriate NJ State regulations and legislation.
  • Establish professional development opportunities.
  • Serve as the NJ Member of the National Network of Statewide Afterschool Networks.
  • Develop public awareness of afterschool issues.
  • Be the state’s national affiliate to the National AfterSchool Association (NAA).

NJSACC is funded in part:

  • by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
  • by the NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Family Development as part of a Federal CCDF Block Grant Earmark
  • with federal funds from Title IV, Part B, 21st Century Community Learning Centers program of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) awarded to the New Jersey Department of Education.

We are proud to be a member of the National Network of Statewide Afterschool Networks funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Across the nation, afterschool networks are working to achieve the following goals:

  • Create a sustainable structure of statewide, regional and local partnerships, particularly school-community partnerships, focused on supporting policy development at all levels.
  • Support the development and growth of statewide policies that will secure the resources that are needed to sustain new and existing afterschool programs.
  • Support statewide systems to ensure programs are of high quality.