DC TRUST Guide 1023 - Children & Youth Investment Trust ...

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Field <strong>Guide</strong> to OST Best Practices / Organizational Infrastructure / 45 ◆ USE OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT Creating an indoor and an outdoor environment that is safe, structured, stimulating and sustainable is often a challenge in settings where space is shared, rented or even borrowed. Yet, within the parameters of our control it is vital that we make the space that we have for young people a space they want to come back to and a place where they feel ownership. While standards of safety are mandatory, there are creative ways to make the best of less than optimal space situations and outside resources that can be identified and used to enhance our services. 1. The program’s indoor space meets the needs of the program and its young people. a. There is adequate room and appropriate space for program activities and adequate materials for the number of young people to be served. b. Program insures that indoor space is clean, safe and free from health hazards (e.g. broken furniture, exposed wiring, exposed hot water pipes, unsecured toxic materials, broken glass, etc.). c. The space is arranged so that staff can monitor all activities at all times. d. The space is arranged to make activities accessible and enjoyable to young people with special needs and follows the ADA guidelines for basic emergency preparedness. e. Program space, materials and equipments are well maintained and in good working order. f. In programs where only common space is available, it is consistently set up into discrete sections which are conducive to different kinds of activities. g. In programs where only common space is available, the effort is made to create visual and acoustic buffers and that activities requiring quiet are not in proximity to activities creating noise. h. There is adequate and convenient storage space for equipment, materials, and personal possessions of young people and staff. i. Program has contingency plans for dealing with excessive heat (and other facility emergencies). 2. Program space is conducive to student ownership. a. Young people access appropriate materials and put them away themselves with ease. b. Young people have a say in arranging materials and equipment to suit their activities. c. When possible, the decoration of program’s indoor space reflects the interests of its young people. d. When possible, young people’s work, accomplishments and creations are prominently displayed in program space. e. In space that cannot be decorated, program documents young people’s work, accomplishments and creations by other means (e.g. cases, portfolios, fold outs, scrap books, videos).
f. In shared space, program clearly communicates to young people the limitations of its use. g. Young people and staff are cooperatively involved in clean up and in setting up and taking down equipment. h. When possible, program space includes comfortable furniture and floor covering and provides a place where young people can experience quiet time. i. When possible, young people have meaningful input in posted rules and policies regarding the use of indoor space. 3. Outdoor program space meets the needs of young people. a. Each young person has the regular opportunity to participate in outdoor activities, subject to weather conditions. b. When possible, dedicated program outdoor space is not accessible to the public. c. When in use, outdoor space accessible to the public is continuously monitored for safety by program staff. (See “Safety, Health & Nutrition” section). d. Outdoor space is free from health hazards (e.g. broken glass, rusty metal, splintered wood, etc.). e. Outdoor equipment is in good repair and, when possible, safety matting is in place under and around equipment. f. If program does not have access to its own dedicated outdoor space, then nearby public space is identified, planned for and utilized. g. When possible, playground equipment is suitable for young people of different sizes and abilities. h. When possible, outdoor space is large enough to allow young people to engage in large muscle group activity (e.g. running, jumping and climbing, etc.). i. When physically able, staff participates with young people in outdoor activities. j. In inclement weather, indoor space is identified and used for physical activities and games which are modified for an indoor environment. k. Young people and staff are cooperatively engaged in bringing out and putting away outdoor equipment. Field <strong>Guide</strong> to OST Best Practices / Organizational Infrastructure / 46
Page 1 and 2: a f i e l d g u i d e t o Best Prac
Page 3 and 4: T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S INTRO
Page 5 and 6: 1 HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS The main reas
Page 7 and 8: e. Staff models the acknowledgment
Page 9 and 10: d. Program offers staff access to r
Page 11 and 12: 2 PROGRAM DESIGN AND PLANNING Inten
Page 13 and 14: Field Guide to OST Best Practices /
Page 15 and 16: help integrate them through the pra
Page 17 and 18: . Program interconnects separate ma
Page 19 and 20: c. Program engages young people in
Page 21 and 22: . Programming incorporates technolo
Page 23 and 24: c. Program provides opportunities f
Page 25 and 26: 5. Program connects work and learni
Page 27 and 28: c. Program fosters awareness in you
Page 29 and 30: . Program gives young people the op
Page 31 and 32: e. Program teaches how to evaluate
Page 33 and 34: 3 CIVIC DEVELOPMENT In our work wit
Page 35 and 36: ◆ COMMUNITY CONNECTION It takes a
Page 37 and 38: 4 The program is offered in a safe,
Page 39 and 40: k. For continuity of service, progr
Page 41 and 42: f. Program actively partners with o
Page 43 and 44: c. Vehicles used for program transp
Page 45: e. Program provides snacks and meal

DC TRUST Guide 1023 - Children & Youth Investment Trust ...

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