Partners After School Programs Virtually Continue, Literally

Partners After School (PAS) programs in Garrett County aren’t allowing social distancing to end the fun. When COVID-19 precautions made running after school programs in a traditional form impossible, staff created a new way to reach participants- virtually! Program staff are working together to continue to provide education and entertainment for their clients by inviting them to enjoy videos on the Virtual Partners After School channel on YouTube.

“The videos on our channel are designed for parents to view, either inviting their children and families to watch the segments with them, or parents can try the ideas they discover on the videos at home with their children to create their own after school experience,” explained Venessa Stacy, the director of PAS programs in northern Garrett County.

Staff from PAS programs at Accident, Friendsville, Grantsville, and Oakland continually add segments to the channel, keeping their goal of educating participants about positive health, fitness, and nutrition decisions alive, even while schools that had formally housed the programs are closed.

“Our videos are unpolished, rarely edited, and from the heart,” added James Michaels, PAS @ Oakland Director. “We want parents, and the teens and children viewing with them, to genuinely feel like they are right back in after school with us.”

The channel includes entertainment as well as educational opportunities, such as a pet show, art lessons, and hikes “with” program staff.  A newly posted video even invites viewers to help determine the official name of the fledgling channel. Virtual fieldtrips and mindfulness training for parents are also in the future lineup for those who tune in. Other traditional after school services are continuing in creative ways as well, including offering families connection to community and Garrett County Health Department services and a strategy for helping parents and students with their at-home learning challenges.

The videos are accessible online by simply searching for Virtual Partners After School at YouTube.com. While developed with parents of registered program participants in mind, they are also accessible to the public at large.

Partners After School @ Oakland is provided by the Garrett County Local Management Board (LMB), Governor’s Office for Children, and United Way of Garrett County. Partners After School @ Accident, Friendsville, and Grantsville are funded through the Garrett County Health Department. Programs are administered by the Health Education and Outreach division of the health department. For more information, call 301-334-7730 or 301-895-3111. No person shall be denied service in relation to race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or genetic information.

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Known for their in-person approach to teamwork and collaboration in bringing health education to students, Partners After School staff members are embracing virtual ways to literally continue connecting with families. Pictured above are PAS staff members during a team building exercise last year. From left to right are Venessa Stacy, Cara Jones, Derek Silbaugh, Sarah Humberson, James Michaels, Cassy Baker, Kristen Walker, Marie Lauver, and Candace Jones. Not available for the picture was Jackalynn Wolf.

By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department