Frequently Asked Questions
General
What age group does Kids Count serve? Kids Count serves elementary-aged students in 1st-5th grades. What schools do Kids Count students attend? Our students attend Rawlings and Metcalfe Elementary schools. How are the children selected to be a part of Kids Count? Kids Count students are recommended by teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators. We give priority to siblings of current students in the program. When is the program in session? We are open Monday-Friday immediately after the school day ends. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday we run from 2:15pm to 5:30pm, and on Wednesdays, we run from 1:30pm to 5:00pm. Volunteers are welcome during these times.
Volunteer
What are the qualifications needed to volunteer? Volunteers must attend an orientation and complete a level 1 background screening. All necessary paperwork will be completed at the orientation, and Kids Count will provide the background screening at a cost of $20. Please visit the "Get Involved" tab to complete the online interest form. What do volunteers do? Our volunteers serve in a variety of ways including academic tutoring, helping with homework, and assisting the staff with preparing and implementing activities. Can I get class credit for volunteering? Yes! If you are a high school or college student in need of service hours, we can provide the documentation that you need! Is there a minimum amount of time volunteers have to spend at Kids Count each week? We ask that volunteers commit to at least 1 hour per week. Is there public transportation to the Kids Count sites? Both of our sites are located near RTS bus stops.
Donation
Does my donation stay local? Yes! Kids Count is a local organization serving Alachua County students. How is my donation used? Donations are used for program expenses such as supplies, transportation, field trips, staff salaries, etc. If you would like your donation to go towards something specific, you are welcome to make a note on your donation so that we can allocate it accordingly! Can I donate something other than money? Yes! If you have something specific you would like to donate, please contact us! Kids Count also has a wishlist of supplies on Amazon (click here!)
Caregiver
How does my child get to Kids Count? Children are led by staff members either by walking or driving, depending on their site and school location. This is to make sure our students are safely getting to Kids Count from school. What if my child will be absent? We do require our students to attend regularly, and parents must tell us if their child will not be at Kids Count for the day. Students must attend 80% of offered program days to continue enrollment. What will my child gain from being at Kids Count? Students at Kids Count get the opportunity for academic, emotional, and mental health assistance. They will also have tutoring and homework help throughout the week with 2 snacks every day. On Friday's, students go on field trips and have enrichment activities. How is Kids Count different than other after-school programs? At Kids Count, we provide one-on-one tutoring and homework help, social emotional learning, and character development alongside mental health counseling. We try to support our students as a whole, helping them academically, emotionally, and mentally. What does a day at Kids Count look like? Students will be taken to Kids Count directly from their school and have their first snack of the day with time for free play. They then split up into their age groups and rotate between homework room, social emotional learning, and character development. During homework room, they will have their second snack. After their three rotations, they will end with free play until they are picked up. Who can pick up my child? Only approved people age 16+ can pick up your child. They will be able to use their custom code and sign them out. We use this process to ensure the safety of our students. Does my child need to go to a specific school or be in a certain grade? Kids Count provides services to students in 1st through 3rd grades at Melcalfe and Rawlings Elementary, with leadership opportunities for 4th and 5th graders, too.