After school programs provide safe spaces for children, supporting their learning and play while parents are occupied. These programs can improve academic performance and decrease risky behaviors, promoting overall health through structured activities and healthy habits. Eloah Rocha, a youth counselor, highlights the importance of these programs based on her extensive experience in child psychology.

1. After School Programs Provide
Safe Havens for Children
Eloah Rocha

2. Introduction
• With more than a decade of experience in the field of
child psychology, Eloah Rocha serves as a youth
counselor at Los Angeles Children’s Hospital. Outside of
her professional obligations, Eloah Rocha works with
children in other ways, including helping to raise money
for after school programs.
After school programs offer many benefits to children,
including providing them with safe spaces to learn and
play while their parents are working, attending school,
or handling other business. Some programs work to
improve the academic standings of children and may
include homework along with structured activities that
reinforce and supplement what they learn in school.

3. After School Programs
• Participation in after school programs often
decreases the risk that children will engage in
troubling behaviors in or out of school and
increases the likelihood that they will do well
and graduate.
The structure of after school programs may
include exercise and healthy snack schedules. As
a result, these programs often boost physical
activity, healthy eating habits, and the overall
health of children.