Ep 103: OST Professionals Reflections During COVID-19

This episode of the Making After School Cool podcast features the initial experiences of Out of School time professionals during initial stages of the COVID pandemic. During this time of uncertainty, many Out of School time professionals had questions regarding COVID, as well as how to provide safe services for the youth. To learn about the adaptation’s programs had to make, Ms. Helen Spencer conducted interviews with leaders working in the after-school field. These professionals discussed their difficulties to continue services during this time, the importance of  trusting collaborative partners, and the lesson they learned during the pandemic 

During the episode you will learn about:

1. Why was access to quality after school services important during the initial and ongoing stages of the COVID pandemic
2. What adaptations organizations had to implement in their service delivery
3. How were limited English-speaking student populations impacted when services that addressed their needs were reduced
4. What were lessons organizations learned because of COVID

Guest

Ms. Spencer is currently a doctoral student and research assistant at the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work. Her study includes researching contextual factors such as school support that promote adolescent wellbeing in complex families.  She is a former journalist, who previously served as HCDE’s Chief Information Officer, supporting Technology and Communications. In this role, she became familiar with Out of School Time field including providing support for the mission of CASE for Kids to increase equitable access to youth services.  Helen received her Master of Social Work from the University of Houston, and has a daughter, who is also a student at the University of Houston, a stepdaughter, and two stepsons. She and her partner currently live in Houston TX

 Resources

Helen Spencer

helencspencer@gmail.com

 Mike Wilson

mwilson@hcde-texas.org

 Harris County Department of Education

https://hcde-texas.org

CASE for Kids

https://hcde-texas.org/afterschool-zone