About Us >> Goals The 2004 National Governor’s Association Extra Learning Opportunities Summit convened local afterschool programs, statewide youth organizations, school administrators and board members, state and local elected officials, government agencies, business representatives, and charitable organizations to produce a clear mandate for three high-priority goals: Goal 1: Sustain a network of partnerships that influence afterschool policies and collaborative efforts. • Network and guide public and private afterschool constituencies.   • Maintain a forum for communication that represents diverse afterschool stakeholders in the policymaking process.   • Develop a statewide public awareness strategy, largely delivered at the community level, to build public support for sustainable afterschool programs in every community.  Goal 2: Develop and sustain resources for new and existing afterschool programs. • Establish a base of sustainable funding for afterschool programs at state and local levels, emphasizing school-community linkages.   • Propose recommendations and channel influences through contact with key decision makers at local and state levels.  • Lead efforts to promote new and expanded afterschool programs, emphasizing communities with the greatest need.  • Develop or adapt tools to sustain rural afterschool programs.   • Secure funding for continued support of the state network.  Goal 3: Promote resources that improve afterschool program quality. • Foster a training and technical assistance structure that ensures programs are of high quality, meet the needs of a diverse population and are likely to be sustained.  • Develop a statewide evaluation system that includes quality standards, self-assessment, continuous improvement strategies and outcomes.  • Maintain a support network for program providers to disseminate best practices, facilitate mentoring and share resources.