The Educational Council is a partnership of the 16 Franklin County School Districts playing a vital role in helping Franklin County School districts personalize educational success by widening and deepening learning environments and experiences that nurture creativity, innovation, global competence and wellness through strengthening programming, providing resources and training staff on skills that touch all academic and non-academic barriers of each student's success. KIDSConnect is an award-winning program of The Educational Council, serving middle school students in south/eastern Franklin County, Ohio. Students receive academic assistance and social enrichment opportunities in an afterschool setting that fosters positive connections between family, school and community. Included are homework assistance, academic enrichment activities, teambuilding activities and service learning projects with ATOD prevention, environmental, nutrition/fitness, media awareness, and character building themes. KIDSConnect has an 11-year history of providing afterschool programs aligned with local and national standards for quality service and best practices, while providing real-world training for college age site coordinators.