Department of Social Services
For Immediate Release
For More Information: Alisa DeMers, 773-3609

New Training Curriculum Developed for OST Programs

(Pierre) – Out-of-School Time (OST) programs will have more opportunities for training staff beginning this fall. 

The Department of Social Services’ Child Care Services (CCS) Program has developed a 10-course training curriculum specifically for staff and directors of OST programs in South Dakota. Patricia Monson, CCS Program Administrator, said the "core" training will be provided at a minimal cost on a regional basis by the five Early Childhood Enrichment (ECE) programs. 

All OST program staff employed in licensed programs are required to have a minimum of 10 hours of training in certain content areas each year. However, Monson said Child Care Services encourages programs to go beyond that requirement to ensure high quality programming and to take advantage of and participate in the new training. 

A minimum of two hours of training will be provided on each of the following topics:

• Child Growth and Development: Participants will learn how to promote and foster the growth and development of children through appropriate environments, activities and interactions.  
• Activity Planning: Participants will learn how to create enrichment activities that promote exploration and meet the needs of the children in their programs.  
• Learning Environments: Participants will learn how to create a developmentally appropriate program environment both indoors and outdoors.  
• Communication and Relationships: Participants will learn how to develop and maintain positive relationships through the use of effective communication with parents.  
• Behavior Management and Guidance: Participants will learn how to establish positive guidance techniques and how to establish a program climate that promotes positive behavior.  
• Social and Cultural Awareness: Participants will learn how to promote social and cultural awareness within a program.   
• Health and Safety: Participants will learn how to promote and teach practices that keep children safe and healthy.  
• Children with Special Needs: Participants will learn how to provide quality, inclusive care for children with special needs in OST programs.  
• Program Management and Professionalism: Participants will learn how to implement effective program management skills and how to continue professional growth.  
• Families, Communities and Schools: Participants will learn how to develop positive interactive partnerships with families, schools and the community.

The training is open to not only OST programs, but also school districts and communities thinking about putting a program together, school districts in general, and any other youth programs such as YMCAs and Boys and Girls Clubs who might want their staff to have the training, Monson said. Of the more than 150 OST programs statewide, 129 are licensed and others are in the process. 

The training will begin in August or September, depending on the ECE region. To locate the nearest training, visit CCS’ Web site: www.state.sd.us/social/CCS/Training/Calendar/calendar.htm or contact your nearest ECE office:

• Rapid City: (605) 342-6464 or 1-888-999-7759  
• Pierre: (605) 224-8731 or 1-800-499-4767  
• Aberdeen: (605) 229-8505 or 1-800-982-6404  
• Brookings: (605) 688-5730 or 1-800-354-8238  
• Sioux Falls: (605) 333-0663 or 1-800-235-5923 (press 4)

For more information contact Rosemary Hayward, Child Care Services, at 1-800-227-3020. 

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