OST organizations are facing unprecedented staffing challenges. The National Afterschool Alliance has released a special brief based on data collected in the fall 2021 “Afterschool in the Time of COVID-19” survey. According to the nationwide survey, afterschool programs have not been spared, and providers say staffing is the most pressing challenge.
"Stories of staff shortages in sectors from healthcare to hospitality, and industries from the airlines to trucking, have made news headlines over the past months.1 According to a recent survey by the Afterschool Alliance, afterschool programs have not been spared and providers say staffing is the most pressing challenge.
One survey respondent asked, “Where did all the [out-of-school time] staff go,” noting that “It’s been near impossible to find, and retain, new staff…and current staff have started expressing burnout.” In the new Afterschool in the Time of COVID-19 survey, conducted by Edge Research between Nov. 1 and Dec. 13, 2021, prior to the Omicron variant sweeping across the United States, the top two concerns among afterschool providers are: finding staff to hire or staffing shortages, and maintaining staff levels through health concerns and safety protocols.
And while staffing challenges are not a new issue for the afterschool field, this survey confirms that now, more than ever, staffing is impacting the ability of providers to meet the needs of the children and families they serve.
READ MORE ONLINE HERE - http://afterschoolalliance.org/documents/Afterschool-COVID-19-Wave-6-Brief.pdf