Social and emotional support is foundational to learning environments, including after school. That’s why AlphaBEST and Kids Included Together (KIT) have partnered for more than 6 years to ensure that students receive strong social and emotional support through group activities, individual instruction, and evidence-based staff training. Using the nationally recognized Pyramid Model, KIT takes a strengths-based approach to supporting students’ social and emotional health.
“With nearly 29 years in the business, KIT’s mission is fundamentally about ensuring every child receives compassionate care,” says Anna Luther, KIT’s VP of Operations. And that care is dependent on the supportive and well-trained adults around them.
Read below for more of our conversation with Anna Luther, KIT’s VP of Operations, as she describes the way social-emotional learning is embedded throughout the child’s experience at AlphaBEST after-school enrichment, and how KIT provides ongoing training and support for extended-day staff.
What sets KIT apart is their unique, strength-based model, Luther says. Instead of focusing solely on a student’s challenges, KIT champions an approach that acknowledges the reality of challenges while building on the student’s existing capabilities. When students feel seen and appreciated for their individuality, they are more likely to trust their supervisors and be open to behavior support guidance.
At AlphaBEST, students interact with KIT throughout the extended-day time, often without realizing it. With extensive training from KIT, AlphaBEST staff find big and small ways to encourage students to practice their social and emotional skills, from identifying the emotional needs of others to regulating their own emotions during activities.
The Pyramid Model prioritizes relationships as the foundation for support. KIT has found that strengthening essential relationship layers—along with addressing the environment and teaching social-emotional skills—significantly reduces the need for individualized, intensive supports. By working with AlphaBEST site directors and area managers, KIT guides staff in discovering a student’s underlying needs to ensure any recommendations are feasible and effective for their specific site.
KIT utilizes a blended learning approach, combining coaching, training sessions, and online learning with interactive activities to shift adult perspectives on child behavior. These methods are crucial for nurturing key staff skills such as:
AlphaBEST and KIT continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of students and communities. In-person and virtual training will continue to guide and support AlphaBEST employees, as they grow to support the diverse needs of students.
To learn more about KIT and AlphaBEST’s curated partnerships, contact us here.
