After-school programs help to improve student academic achievement, keep children safe after school, keep children out of trouble, and build self confidence. This pamphlet summarizes the benefits of after-school programs, provides suggestions for locating a program, and delineates features of quality programs. The pamphlet also briefly describes four effective after-school programs and provides suggestions for parents on getting involved in their community to improve the quality of after-school programs. Finally, the pamphlet delineates organizational and Web site resources and provides a postcard to be used to obtain additional information on after-school programs. (KB)