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Program Planning,
Guidance, and Oversight


Mesa School Age Center
Fort Carson, Colorado
Long Term Plan
Updated February 2014


The following narrative prescribes a five-year -long term plan for Mesa School Age
Center at Fort Carson. This framework will preserve and direct Mesa School Age Centers
program mission, responsibility, and aspirations each school year. An annual review of the Long
Term Plan will also address targeted needs and new issues accordingly. A preliminary
assessment of long-term program sustainability and direction was organized into a matrix. Mesa
management and staff constructed a matrix overview to ensure achievements of identified goals
are met in a practical time frame. The Long Term Plan derived from the matrix will be
translated into this narrative.
Fort Carson is an active United States Army installation situated at the base of the Rocky
Mountains. Present mission support is routine with constant training exercises and deployments.
Infantry and Special Forces Group units are primarily hosted on Fort Carson among an extensive
network of over 26,000 active duty service members. Dependent family members compose an
additional estimate of 42,000 contributing to the establishment of five schools on post. Mesa
School Age Center plays an integral role supporting the Fort Carson community by providing
affordable, available, consistent, quality and safe youth programs. Mesa School Age Center
builds a partnership with families and schools to strengthen resiliency and enhance readiness at
Fort Carson. The guidance contained in Mesa School Age Centers Long Term Plan is a
testament to the distinction of Fort Carsons motto Best Hometown in the Army.

1. Mission, Vision and Mandates

Mesa School Age Center exists to support military readiness by reducing the conflict
between soldiers mission requirements and their parental responsibilities. Mesa School Age
Center recognizes the unique challenges of military families and strives to mitigate stress and
nurture family resiliency. Frequent separations from parent and child due to field exercises,
deployments, and unaccompanied tours of duty are continuous at Fort Carson. The need of
quality child and youth services is critical as it may impact unit missions in contingency
situations. Quality of life programs are essential to enable focused military execution in
operations. Fort Carson Child & Youth Services commits to provide a seamless delivery system
of quality programs and care for children from 4 weeks to 18 years old. The cornerstones of the
delivery system uphold availability, affordability, quality, and accountability. Fort Carson Child
& Youth Services also strives to provide predictable services across all its facilities. The
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Program Planning,
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customer satisfaction of families and youth are always maintained.

Mesa School Age Center pledges to become a benchmark for Americas youth programs
and a strong advocate for military families. The program centers a philosophy of providing high
quality before/ after school/ summer programs based on modern research of youth development
and education. Opportunities are provided to youth to expand and refine skills in many realms
(including but not limited to): leadership, citizenship, physical fitness & health, academic
enrichment, and the Arts. Supplemental programs from the Boys & Girls Club of America and 4-
H are also adopted to offer a range of holistic programs for all youth. Mesa School Age Center
promotes and welcomes individuality, cultural values, and diversity. The program understands
that it is crucial to encourage and mentor military youth in the many facets of military life.
Highly trained staffs facilitate youth in experiencing problem solving, conflict resolution, and
self-expression. Youth and parents are expected to provide input and be immersed in the logistics
of program sustainability.

2. Stakeholders

Foundation stakeholders begin with all youth registered with Fort Carson Child & Youth
Services. Youth and families who utilize services directly at Mesa School Age Center and school
community are the base stakeholders. The configuration of stakeholders then start with the
programs staff and management as they work and lead program operations daily. Quality
Improvement Teams and Family Advisory Boards assess needs and determine plans to improve
youth programs. Youth Program Administrators oversee and regulate a collection of child
developmental and youth programs. Child & Youth Services Coordinator and Chief oversee the
administration of the youth programs at the installation level. The progress and status of Fort
Carson youth programs is then communicated to the Garrison Commander and subsequent
leaders via Directorate of Family Morale, Welfare, and Recreation.

3. Program Strengths/Opportunities and Challenges/Issues

a. Strengths and Opportunities

1. Strong financials with routine budgeting and good stewards of government
funds of program.
2. Army programming/Support
3. Assistance and resources of Kids Included Together (KIT), a non-profit
organization dedicated to understanding the practice of inclusion of all children,
especially those with special needs/disabilities.
4. Intensive cross training of staff throughout Child & Youth Services at Fort
Carson. Training files are updated daily and training workshops are facilitated frequently
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to cover timely requirements.
5. Enhanced programming with Boys and Girls Club of America and 4-H
programs offer innovative curriculum and outreach services. Continuous partnership
allows new interests, opportunities, and clubs for youth to explore.
6. Opportunities with School Liaison can coordinate connections and
communication with local school systems.
7. Consideration in utilizing network of Morale, Welfare, and Recreation
departments and other agencies for resources and partnerships. A focus in the marketing
department can offer advertising opportunities and play a factor in increasing future
youth enrollment.

b. Programs Challenges/Issues:

1.The requirement of background checks and the slow process of clearance
currently impede successful program operations. There is a limited number of cleared
staff and it creates obstacles regarding accountability ratios and staff distribution.
2. Staffing vacancies are often open and prolonged. This can delay in offering full
core service areas and programs to youth.
3. Limited use of marketing resources. Building a partnership with marketing to
utilize advertising opportunities. Awareness of program can be wide spread.
4. Connections with local elementary schools can be strengthened to allow an
exchange of information and partnership to monitor and oversee youths well being.
5. Government budget approvals vary and are not definitive at times. This can
impact program operations and planning.
6. A high turnover of staff and children due to facets of military life (permanent
change of station, staff in reserve or guard service) can lead to challenges of providing
consistent programming and long-term staff.
7. Fiscal environment- Implementation of Home Alone Policy may offer parents
convenient and economical options to leave youth at home. Youth enrollment at Mesa
School Age Center can be impacted.
8. Developing and maintaining parent involvement within program. Family
Advisory Board can serve as catalyst to build parent network.

4. Program Goals and Objectives

1. Successfully complete and receive accreditation. Maintaining accreditation will be a priority
for the next five years.
2. Assess and survey parents on youth program and operations. Build Family Advisory Board
and parent involvement/support.
3. Fully staff and stabilize Mesa School Age Center team.
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4. Enhance quality of programming through many mediums including Boys & Girls Club of
America, 4-H, trainings, and professional education workshops for staff.
5. Constructing academic enrichment and youth programs that focus higher level thinking in all
core service areas. Expanding practical skills for all youth through mentorship and guidance.
6. Parent and Youth ownership of Mesa School Age Center programs.
7. Offer parent/family education workshops that offer school age theme issues and resources to
reinforce family readiness.


Long Term Goals/Objectives are as follows:

SY 2014
Submit self study for accreditation and prepare for successful accreditation visit. Open
opportunities for child input in fieldtrip and summer planning. Improve quality of club and long-
term projects. Strengthen partnership with Boys and Girls Club of America. Introduce and train
staff on 4-H and implementation of curriculum. Implementing new accountability system for
program to allow smoother transitions and ratio count. Invite parents to join and develop Family
Advisory Board. Introducing Parent Participation Program as an incentive to reduce cost fees.
Coordinate with other Child & Youth Services programs to offer extension and outreach
programs. Introducing a system of indicators to assess developmental appropriate materials and
supplies. Ensure retention of youth enrollment during and after summer program. Promote
calendar of community resources and events for families and youth.

SY 2015
Receive and plan to maintain certification for the next five years. Performing Arts programming
underway in setting annual projects and productions. Hold educational/informational classes for
parents at least four times per year. Growth in Parent Participation Program. (at least 50 parents).

SY 2016

Maintain COA

SY 2017

Maintain COA

SY 2018

Maintain COA
Continued growth in Parent Participation Program (at least 65 parents).
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5. Program Strategies to Meet Goals and Objectives

Mesa School Age Center is currently engaged in a self-study process for the Council of
Accreditation. Submission of self-study will be in July 2014. Endorsers will visit the program in
September 2014. The program is currently working to involve parent in the self-evaluation
process. Family Advisory Board is slowly developing with guidance of management and staff.
Staff and management are also establishing new efficient program environments to entice youth.
After a comprehensive staff assessment, staff members are assigned to areas with matched
interests to set successful engagement with youth. The accountability system for the program has
been refined to allow youth to navigate freely and make independent decisions. It is also a
reliable system for face to name accountability.