The East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS) and BREC have signed a cooperative agreement to pilot an after-school program, which will offer children ages 6-12 a safe and fun place to go after the school day ends.

The Youth 360 Program will operate like BREC after-school programs currently held at Antioch Park, Jackson Park, Church Street Park and Plank Road Park. For $48 per month, children will be provided time for homework as well as offerings of recreational and character development program activities and a healthy snack.

On January 7, Youth 360 camps will begin immediately after school and operate until 5:30 p.m. each afternoon that school is in session. The School System will provide bus transportation for approved school bus riders as needed. BREC staff personally will escort children who are close enough to walk to the after-school camp, and parents will be responsible for picking up their child or children at the end of each day.

A study was conducted by EBRPSS to determine sites for the pilot program in which transportation could be provided at no additional cost to the School System and where after-school programs at school sites are not currently available for all students.

The Youth 360 pilot program will be held at BREC recreation centers for students enrolled at the following schools beginning in January: Ryan Elementary, Scotlandville Elementary, Magnolia Woods Elementary, Glen Oaks Park Elementary, Merrydale Elementary, Bernard Terrace Elementary, Melrose Elementary, Howell Park Elementary, Capitol Elementary, Northdale Elementary, Crestworth Elmentary and Delmont Elementary schools.

"Working as a team with BREC on the Youth 360 after-school program expansion is just one of the many ways the School System is actively moving to broaden its partnerships with community organizations," said Dr. Bernard Taylor, Jr., superintendent of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. "We appreciate this opportunity to join BREC in continuing to provide quality educational and after-school opportunities for our students."

“BREC’s core mission is to play an active role in the fight against crime and childhood obesity, and this program will offer students a safe, structured environment after school each day,” said BREC Superintendent Carolyn McKnight. “We are excited about our growing partnership with the East Baton Rouge School System and hope this pilot program works so well that we can expand it and offer Youth 360 to students across the parish by the start of the next school year.”

For information on how to register for Youth 360, call Diane Drake at 225-272-9200 or email her at ddrake@brec.org.