Professional Development
Supporting Program Quality
MAP helps support program quality of afterschool and summer programs through professional development opportunities and other quality supports. From professional learning communities to individualized coaching, there are opportunities to help your program thrive. Explore opportunities below!
“Coaching with Jen has been such a huge help with running our program. She is a wealth of knowledge and I continue to learn with her guidance. Jen is so supportive and is always looking for new tools and ways to help our program grow, her coaching has been such an asset to Delvante and me.”
Click the button below for a brief one-pager about our Professional Development Services.
Coming Up: NAA Convention 2026!
Celebrate yourself and your peers at the National Afterschool Association (NAA) 2026 Convention, taking place March 11–14, 2026, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland!
Learn & Connect: As the field navigates change and uncertainty, NAA26 offers more than professional development. It’s a space to recharge, reconnect, and reaffirm your purpose. Gain practical tools and strategies while building relationships that sustain your work. Every session is designed to value human connection, inspired learning, and collective strength.
Be Inspired: Step into something extraordinary at the Gaylord National Resort, a stunning destination on the Potomac River just minutes from Washington, D.C. With its iconic 19-story indoor garden atrium, it’s the perfect setting for an event that sparks ideas, deepens connection, and elevates every moment.
Professional Development: March & April
Being Mindful Begins with You
ASOST Educators can build leadership skills while being mindful to create a mindful culture at the program level with families, schools, staff and youth. This professional development opportunity will provide information on the benefits of self-reflection to reduce stress, and the development of mindful reflective practice as a tool to better understand challenges, set goals for growth individually and among staff & children. Resources will be provided so participants can begin to build an SEL toolkit packed with ideas, activities and a program quality assessment (PQA) tool that can be implemented in their self-assessment and program assessment.
Thursdays 3/19, 3/26, 4/2
Online via Zoom 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Office Hours with Jen Reth
Interested in learning more about Professional Development services and resources? Email jreth@massafterschool.org to schedule a 15-minute information session with MAP’s Program Support Specialist, Jennifer Reth.
March 16 at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | April 6 at 12:00 - 2:00 PM | April 30 at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Thinking Summer?
Schedule your professional development now!
Check out MAP’s Summer Camp Brochure and reach out to Lisa Demoulias at ldemoulias@massafterschool.org to get started.
Remain Calm & Respond Right Guide
Looking for strategies to help with challenging behaviors? Try the Crisis Prevention Institute’s Remain Calm & Respond Right Guide.
Summer Activity Guide
Planning for Summer just got a whole lot easier! The Summer Activity Guide by the Alaska Afterschool Network is a suite of fun and engaging activities and challenges.
MAP Training Spotlight
Amanda Feliz is currently an English Language Development teacher for the Lynn Public Schools. She has her endorsement in Sheltered English Immersion and holds a certification as a bilingual educator endorsement. She uses various research- based approaches when instructing students of all ages. Amanda has experience as an ELD coach for the district she works in and over 20 years experience working with schoolage children. She has also and spent time in schoolage programs at Girls Inc in Lynn and the Lynn YMCA. In her free time, she likes to walk the beach and write. She recently published her first book. She is energetic and enthusiastic around the Professional Developments she leads. Amanda is a trainer for the Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership and can deliver courses in both English and Spanish.
Coaching for OST Professionals
Professional Development Regulations for OST
Generated from MAP’s AI-powered Program Regulations tool
Based on the Massachusetts school age program regulations provided, here are the professional development (PD) requirements for Out of School Time (OST) programs:
Professional Development Requirements for School Age Programs that are licensed through EEC
For educators working 20 or more hours per week:
20 hours of professional development activities per year
At least one-third (approximately 6.67 hours) must address diverse learners
For educators working at least 10 but fewer than 20 hours per week:
12 hours of professional development activities per year
At least one-third (approximately 4 hours) must address diverse learners
For educators working fewer than 10 hours per week:
5 hours of professional development activities per year
At least one-third (approximately 1.67 hours) must address diverse learners
Citation: 606 CMR 7.09(19)(b), "Professional Development" section in the document "606 CMR 7.00: Standards for Licensure of Child Care Programs"
Note: The regulations specify "hours" of professional development rather than "days."
These requirements apply to "Large Group and School Age Child Care Programs Serving School Age Children," which would include OST programs.
The Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership (MAP) offers one on one Coaching Sessions
to all OST educators (coaching sessions are delivered in English, Spanish and Portuguese)
Are you in need of support to grow as a professional or take your program to the next level of quality? Do you need resources? Do you need support from an experienced leader in the field?
MAP provides coaching and technical assistance to program administrators/directors and other OST educators across MA. Coaching services are designed to support continuous program quality improvement efforts in alignment with OST core competencies.
Coaching services are available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Coaching is designed to educators in out-of-school time (OST) programs with continuous quality improvement (CQI) efforts in both individual and program needs. It is a relationship-based model that supports collaboration and professional growth.
Coaching is for Administrators, Directors, Site Coordinators or Group Leaders! Get one on one target assistance virtually when your schedule allows! Coaches will work with your schedule in arranging a time.
Professional Development Funds can be used for COACHING. MAP will design a coaching plan that meets your budget needs.
To learn more about coaching opportunities, contact Jennifer Reth, Program Support Specialist jreth@massafterschool.org
Massachusetts School Age Program Regulations Tool
MAP developed an AI-powered regulation guidance tool to help programs identify and maintain school age program regulations.
This chatbot is an unofficial, independently developed tool by the Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership (MAP) and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) or any other state agency.
Course Catalog
MAP’s Professional Development Team includes a database of trainers with various levels of diversity and expertise on subject matter that reflects the MA Department of Early Education and Care’s Core Competencies and National Afterschool Association’s Core Knowledge, Skills and Competencies. All training can be done virtually or in person. Trainings can be adapted and created based on an After School and Out of School Time (ASOST) program or organization’s needs and staff’s experience. MAP will provide a training certificate to all participants upon completion.
Resource Lab
MAP has a library of resources and curriculum available to afterschool and summer programs. From resources on social-emotional learning to webinars on sustaining the OST workforce, there are plenty of resources that will be useful to educators and administrators of programs. Check them out below!
Program Improvement Plans
MAP has a library of resources and curriculum available to afterschool and summer programs. From resources on social-emotional learning to webinars on sustaining the OST workforce, there are plenty of resources that will be useful to educators and administrators of programs. Check them out below!
Meet MAP’s Professional Development Team!
Lisa DeCaro Demoulias (she/her) began her career as a kindergarten teacher and has held many positions in the field of education. She holds a Professional Massachusetts Teacher License as well as a certification as a Principal N-8. She graduated from Boston College with a Master Degree in Educational Administration and currently works for Lesley University leading aspiring teachers to an initial licensure. Lisa was the Chief Operating Officer of an International Educational Consultancy group and was the Senior Child Care Director of the YMCA of the Greater Boston Association. She managed all aspects of the school-age programs and was the leader of the Eastern Mass Cluster group of the YMCA developing best practices for the school-age sites. Lisa is a passionate educator and enjoys sharing her knowledge and learning from others.
"Lisa was a fantastic coach for me this past year. Having this coaching support from her and the entire team at MAP has been a wonderful help for me and our program. Whether someone is relatively new to this field, like myself, or someone who may just be looking for additional support throughout the year, this has been a great way to help answer any of my random questions, help find areas to improve on, and to have someone who is there to help that AS/OST employee in all areas of our programs."
Jen Reth (she/her) has been in the Afterschool and Out-Of-School Time field since 1993 working in various positions. She is currently the Director of Youthworks, the Soft Skills Career Readiness Program for youth in Winthrop with Winthrop Public Schools and CASA. She serves on the Community Action for Safe Alternatives board and is a Massachusetts Ambassador for the National Afterschool Alliance.
“I cannot put in to words how much Jen’s support as a coach has helped me to grow. Her guidance has helped me to make difficult decisions regarding my business and staffing and to move forward personally and professionally."
"I have grown so much professionally and personally with Jenn. I feel I would continue to grow,change and pivot with her guidance."
Professional Development Request Form
Ready to get started?
Click here to download our Professional Development Request form!
After you’ve filled it out, please email to ldemoulias@massafterschool.org and jreth@massafterschool.org.
EEC Professional Development Requirements
EEC Requires Large Group and School Age Child Care [See 606 CMR 7.09(19)(b)]
1. Educators working fewer than ten hours per week shall complete a minimum of five hours of professional development activities per year;
2. Educators working at least ten but fewer than 20 hours per week shall complete a minimum of 12 hours of professional development activities per year;
3. Educators working 20 or more hours per week shall complete a minimum of 20 hours of professional development activities per year.
Upcoming Trainings
To learn more about a training and to register, click on the flyer.
Out of School Time Job Quality Standards
The National AfterSchool Association’s OST Job Quality Standards provide a standard structure for defining and discussing “good jobs.” The Standards ground the conversation in the available empirical evidence demonstrating how job quality relates to worker outcomes and outline effective practices that support workforce development — including recruitment and retention — and workforce stability by promoting high-quality, equitable jobs.
The Standards are based on the Job Quality Framework and include:
4 Pillars: Overarching categories representing key job quality areas
16 Elements: Critical pieces of each pillar
67 Indicators: Observable practices that support each job quality element
An annotated bibliography of supporting evidence
The JQS Usage Guide & Assessment tool provides audiences with a roadmap for effectively using the OST Job Quality Standards, including concrete steps for those in advocacy, funding, policy, and out-of-school time leadership to improve job quality in their respective roles.
18 Degrees
21st CCLC Warren Elementary
21st CCLC @ OSV
21st CCLC ASOST STEAM
ABACUS
A.R.T.S Foundation Inc
After the Bell
Angier After School Program
BBTE
Beyond the Bell - Holyoke Public Schools
Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center
Boys & Girls Club of Metro South
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell
Boys & Girls Club of Stoneham
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Holyoke
Build A Robot
Building Audacity
Building Bridges through Music, Inc
Cabot Manor After School Program and summer camp
Camp Fire North Shore
CAPIC After School Program
CARE
CCLC Afterschool
Central MA Professional Development Center
Child Care of the Berkshires - Monument Square
CLEO (21st Century Learning)
Clyde Brown Elementary Extended Day
Programs We’ve Worked With:
Communities Together, Inc.
Community Kids Place
Connected Beginnings
CS4Youth, Inc.
Curiosity Club at the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club
Da Vinci exploration program
Dartmouth YMCA - School Age Childcare
East Boston Social Center
East End House
Elizabeth's Daycare
Enrichment
Eureka! MetroWest
Eureka! Stem and Leadership
Extended Learning Time
Flying Cloud Institute
For Kids Only Afterschool
Girls Inc.
Greenwood Childcare Center
Guild Of St Agnes
Hill House Boston
Holyoke Community College
Hoops and Homework
Imagine Nation Academy
In Our Hands Learning and Preschool
In Our Hands Learning and Preschool Center
J.T Hood School
Jamaica Plain Head Start
Jewish Community of Amherst Shemesh Summer Program
JMB Boys and Girls Club of Newton
Kid Care
Kid Care of Andover Rec
Kids in Tech
Kids LAHF
Kwong Kow Chinese School
Leap for Education
LEAP for Education Teen Centers, Summer Work Program
Little Treasures Schoolhouse (TAS After school program)
Lowell Community Charter Public School
Mason-Rice Afterschool
Mass Mentoring Partnership
McLean Child Care Center
Medfield Afterschool Program Inc.
Methuen Public Schools - Community Programs
Metrowest YMCA
Millis Public Schools' Extended Day
Monomoy Community Services
Mystic Valley YMCA
NEDP
NIOST
Parkway YMCA -Early Focus Program
Playful Minds @ Western
PVD Young Makers
Reading With Your Kids
Regional Environmental Council
Rise Extended Day
Robbins Children’s program
School on Wheels of MA
Science Club for Girls
Somerville YMCA Pre-K/K OST Program
South Shore Community Action Council
Sunny Sky and Rainbows
Tenderhearts Preschool
TERC
TERC-Zoombinis Club
The Community Group - Community Kids Place
The Cottage Children's Center
The Institute for Education & Professional Development, Inc.
Tutoring Plus
US Tae Kwon Do Center Agawam
Walpole Extended Day
Waverley Square Daycare
West Bridgewater Surround Care
West End House Boys and Girls Club
West Springfield Boys and Girls Club
Whitman Hanson Regional School District
YMCA Boston
YMCA Cape Cod School Age Child Care Harwich
YMCA Cape Cod School Age Child Care LPL
YMCA of Greater Springfield
Youth Center Inc.
YWCA Roosevelt After School Program
EEC Training Opportunities
EEC offers this list of training opportunities for your program staff, and other resources to support program quality. From PD trainings to an Early Childhood Educator Scholarship, there are many resources that can help your program! Click below to download more information!
National Afterschool Association
The NAA has a new membership structure. Click below to learn more!
The Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership is the Massachusetts Affiliate of the National AfterSchool Association. NAA and its State Affiliates share a mutual purpose and agreement to support, develop, and advocate for Out-of-School Time professionals and the profession. NAA and its State Affiliates build connectivity among stakeholders and create opportunities for engagement to ensure a vibrant future for the Out-of-School Time profession.
For OST professionals who are not paid NAA members and live in Massachusetts, our affiliation and conference registration make you eligible for a free NAA membership. If you prefer, NAA membership may be purchased directly from NAA on a sliding scale from $25 to $150.