Working Groups
Led by Collaborative members, our six Working Groups meet regularly to work on reaching our learning and doing goals and collaborate to seek solutions to common challenges through a collaborative problem-solving process.
Currently, our Working Groups include:
- Data and Analysis: The Data Analytics Working Group seeks to empower the Western NC region through relevant insights and networked learning. This group supports the data needs of the WNC After 3PM ecosystem through collaborative work on data collection, organizational best practices, skillsharing, and survey analytics.
- Advocacy: The Advocacy Working Group is driven by a shared commitment to strengthening investment, understanding, and support for out-of-school time opportunities in the region. By amplifying the voices of children, families and staff, this group aims to make the impacts of out-of-school-time more visible and empower community members to engage confidently in advocacy conversations with partners and policymakers.
- Sustainable Program Capacity: The Capacity Building Working Group is developing resources that will help organizations create strategic visions and tools for sustainable growth.
- Workforce Development. The Workforce Development Working Group is focused on supporting the afterschool workforce. This includes increasing the pipeline into the afterschool profession; supporting the wellbeing and sustainability of the current workforce; and considering policies, advocacy, and improved systems to support the sustainability of afterschool professionals.
- Fund and Resource Development. The Fund and Resource Development Working Group is focused on building sustainability in afterschool programs. This group considers and supports fundraising partnerships within the Collaborative and builds the skills of Collaborative members through technical assistance such as workshops and skill sharing about fundraising and grant writing.
- Youth and Family Engagement: The Youth and Family Engagement Working Group is focused on compiling best practices for boosting engagement for the families served by the diverse organizations participating in the WNC After 3 Collaborative. This group will serve as a resource to help better serve communities across the region.
Building Resiliency Community of Practice
Beyond the Working Groups, the Collaborative formed the Building Resiliency in Afterschool Community of Practice in September 2025 – one year after Hurricane Helene devastated much of the region.
Collaborative members developed the Community of Practice in response to a need to develop trauma-informed practices that support not only staff, but also children and families. The goals of the Community of Practice are to help afterschool programs:
- better understand trauma-informed practices and use those practices to help youth and their families develop resiliency and improve their well-being.
- use their increased understanding of trauma-informed practices and resiliency to inform, adjust, and adapt existing practices and policies to support resiliency in youth and their families.
- develop trauma-informed expertise that will in turn support additional staff and afterschool programs in the western region and beyond.
- create a professional community that encourages growth, learning, and supportive relationships.
Community of Practice members meet regularly to share technical expertise and professional development as well as one-on-one coaching opportunities.
