NJSACC’s 2026-2027 Professional Development Opportunities
NJSACC offers a variety of engaging virtual and in-person professional development and technical assistance opportunities for all staff working in school-age child care, afterschool, and out-of-school-time (OST) programs.
Guided by the New Jersey Quality Standards for Afterschool (NJQSA), training topics include leading activities, behavior and inclusion, team building, leadership development, program planning/management, STEM, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), working with families, and so much more!
Check out the professional development opportunities being offered by NJSACC this year.
Register soon – space is limited!
What can your program accomplish with the right support?
The Quality Support for Afterschool (QSA) Program gives school-age child care programs the opportunity to take a closer look at their program, identify areas for growth, and turn ideas into action, with NJSACC support along the way.
Over seven months, participating programs receive individualized coaching, opportunities to learn with peers, access to select NJSACC workshops and conferences, free resources, toolkits and more!
Your program. Your goals. NJSACC support.
The 2026–2027 QSA cohort is grant-funded and cost-free for eligible licensed and subsidized programs in New Jersey. Space is limited, and applications are due September 18th.
Not eligible for the grant-funded cohort? NJSACC also offers individual QSA components or the full intensive package to school-age child care programs for a reasonable fee.
Ready to see what your program can accomplish? Check out the attached flyer for more information or contact me at ppugliese@njsacc.org.
Starting each aspect of the day right can make the difference between a great day, a so-so day, & one that is challenging. Join NJSACC and our trainer from Kids Included Together (KIT) for this virtual workshop that provides practical strategies for staff to recognize and create inclusive, welcoming, and flexible transitions from the school day to afterschool.
This grant funded, cost free workshop is appropriate for all levels of school age OST staff.
Registration is through NJCCIS.
Event ID 155476
Tuesday, 9/29/26, 6:45-7:45 PM
APPLICATION DEADLINE OCTOBER 30, 2026
Please Contact Quality Team Director Dagmar Wojcik at dwojcik@njsacc.org with any questions regarding this opportunity.
Including all youth in OST programs can be very challenging, but nothing is more rewarding than witnessing a child make a friend, enjoy a game, or experience an accomplishment. Join NJSACC and our trainer from Kids Included Together (KIT) for this virtual workshop designed to help staff explore disability inclusion and socially responsible language to develop a plan to overcome inclusion barriers in their program.
This grant funded, cost free workshop is appropriate for all levels of school age OST staff.
Registration is through NJCCIS.
Event ID 155477
Tuesday, 10/27/26, 6:45-7:45 PM
Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification Training
Identity. Understand. Respond.
The Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification course empowers participants to recognize, understand, and respond effectively to mental health and substance use challenges in youth ages 12–18. This valuable training supports staff, benefits the young people they serve, and promotes the well-being of the entire community.
In order to complete and receive credit for the training participants MUST adhere to the following guidelines:
* Participants must complete 2 hours of pre-work AHEAD of the start of the training. The date will be established by the trainer and made known to all participants
*Participants must attend BOTH days of the training
*Participants must have access via computer to a camera and microphone throughout the virtual training with the expectation that the camera will be on for the duration. If this is an issue, please contact the trainer, Patricia Pugliese, NJSACC Senior Quality Specialist, at ppugliese@njsacc.org prior to registering for the course to determine what accommodations may be possible.
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children & adolescents ages 12-18.
The course will teach you how to apply the MHFA Action Plan (ALGEE):
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm.
- Listen non-judgmentally.
- Give reassurance and information.
- Encourage appropriate professional help.
- Encourage self-help and other support strategies
Appropriate for all staff, ages 18 and over; led by Patricia Pugliese, Technical Assistance Specialist with NJSACC and Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor.
Virtual via Zoom: November 9 ,2026 10am – 1pm AND November 10, 2026 10am – 1pm
Save with Early Bird Registration! Register by October 4, 2026 for the $80 per person rate.
After October 4, the fee increases to $85 per person. Registration closes October 12, 2026.
November 09, 2026 and November 10, 2026
The Leadership Mirror: Reflect, Recognize, Retain
Great leaders know themselves AND their teams. This in-person session for afterschool & out-of-school time (OST) leadership will give participants the opportunity to reflect on their own leadership style and gain tools to identify staff needs, strengthen relationships, boost retention, and foster a culture of growth and appreciation in their programs. Appropriate for all leadership from directors to site supervisors, this is a great way to set up your staff teams for success this year! Registration is limited – don’t miss out.
Date: 10/28/26
Time: 9am-2:15pm
Location: NJSACC Office – 170 Elm Street, Westfield, NJ 07090 (located in the First Baptist Church)
Cost: $85 which covers lunch and materials
Register Online by October 23, 2026
Wednesday, 10/28/26, 9:00 am – 2:15 PM
Working with multiple age groups can be challenging, especially when they start with Pre-K & extend through grade school ages. Join NJSACC and our trainer from Kids Included Together (KIT) for this virtual workshop where we’ll explore how to create an inclusive environment for a broad range of ages by understanding the differences between typical developmental behaviors and those that may signal a need for additional support.
This grant funded, cost free workshop is appropriate for all levels of school age OST staff.
Registration is through NJCCIS.
Event ID 155478
Tuesday, 11/17/26, 6:45-7:45 PM
Join NJSACC and our trainer from Kids Included Together (KIT) for this virtual workshop introducing the four guiding principles of inclusion and the KIT Support Pyramid. Participants will explore how to use these concepts to create a program that strengthens inclusion and behavior support. By the end of this training, participants will be able to describe at least one strategy at each level of the pyramid to support school age youth in their OST program.
Registration is through NJCCIS.
Event ID 155509
Tuesday, 1/26/27, 6:45-7:45 PM
This virtual workshop will focus on the essential question: What does behavior tell us? Join NJSACC and our trainer from Kids Included Together (KIT) in using the ABCs of behavior (antecedent, behavior, and consequences) to better understand the WHY of behavior and how to select appropriate strategies and techniques to support positive behavior.
This grant funded, cost free workshop is appropriate for all levels of school age OST staff.
Registration is through NJCCIS.
Event ID 155510
Tuesday, 2/23/27, 6:45-7:45 PM
Children use behavior. Providers are challenged by behavior. Join NJSACC and our trainer from Kids Included Together (KIT) for this virtual workshop that introduces the KIT Behavior Thermometer and steps for understanding and de-escalating a situation according to whether the behavior is typical, challenging, concerning, and/or unsafe.
This grant funded, cost free workshop is appropriate for all levels of school age OST staff.
Registration is through NJCCIS.
Event ID 155511
Tuesday, 3/23/27, 6:45-7:45 PM
Autism Spectrum Disorder influences the developmental skills of youth in a variety of ways that can impact their participation and relationships. Join NJSACC and our trainer from Kids Included Together (KIT) for this virtual workshop exploring strategies to support social interactions, communication, and the sensory processing needs of the youth in our care.
This grant funded, cost free workshop is appropriate for all levels of school age OST staff.
Registration is through NJCCIS.
Event ID 155512
Tuesday, 4/20/27, 6:45-7:45 PM
Positive relationships are the foundation for supporting youth, but making connections with every youth is not always easy, especially with youth who consistently show concerning or unsafe behavior. In this NJSACC virtual workshop, led by our Kids Included Together (KIT) trainer, we’ll gain valuable tools and explore how self-reflection and acknowledgement can be used to build trust and positive relationships.
This grant funded, cost free workshop is appropriate for all levels of school age OST staff.
Registration is through NJCCIS.
Event ID 155513
Tuesday, 5/25/27, 6:45-7:45 PM
