Chapter 8: Core Competencies For the OST Field

Researchers in the field support out-of-school time (OST) professionals as a key factor to quality OST programs that produce positive youth outcomes (Larson, Rickman, Gibbons, & Walker, 2009; Little, 2004). Mahoney and Warner (2014) identified staff knowledge and competence as one of four foundational ideas that contribute to program quality. Staff contributions in providing youth with “safe, supportive relationships and a positive emotional climate” (Palmer, Anderson, & Sabatelli, 2009, p. 8) were included in eight quality frameworks for OST. Strong staff–youth relationships were connected to academic engagement and future aspirations in Huang and colleagues’ (2007) study of LA’s BEST OST program. The research clearly supports that OST professionals are an important contributor to program quality and youth outcomes (Russell, Mielke, & Reisner, 2009).