Introduction

The Flourish Lab is dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of afterschool programs by providing comprehensive onboarding, training, and professional development for staff. Our approach combines an engaging e-learning platform with in-person training sessions, focusing on practical strategies and social-emotional learning to foster meaningful connections between educators and students. By equipping afterschool professionals with the tools and knowledge they need, The Flourish Lab aims to create enriching environments where both staff and students can thrive.

St. Vrain Valley School District, situated in the Northern Metro area of Denver, Colorado, serves over 2,400 children across 31 OST sites with a mission to enrich the lives of children and families in safe and welcoming environments. This case study explores the impact of The Flourish Lab's training on St. Vrain's afterschool staff and how a shift from passive training to engaged development led to more confident educators, stronger team dynamics, and a better experience for students.

Background & Challenges

St. Vrain’s OST program operates with over 200 staff members whose goal is to help every child—and staff member—flourish. Before partnering with The Flourish Lab, staff faced several key challenges:

• Passive Training: Traditional PD felt dull and ineffective. Staff often described past training as something they "clicked through" with little relevance or engagement. Sessions lacked interactivity, emotion, and practical value—leading to low retention and minimal impact on real-world practice.
• Disconnected Application: Staff struggled to apply what they learned to real-world settings. Training failed to address afterschool-specific challenges like managing transitions, fostering student connection, and adapting to diverse needs. Many felt unprepared when facing common behavioral issues or navigating high-energy group environments.
• Burnout: The emotional toll of compliance tasks, paperwork, and daily logistics left staff feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from their purpose. The demands of OST work—often fast-paced and emotionally intense—led to exhaustion, especially in the absence of strategies for managing stress and energy.
• Weak Team Dynamics: Communication issues and differing work styles led to misunderstandings and a lack of cohesion. Without shared tools for collaboration, many teams operated in silos or fell into recurring conflict cycles.
• Feeling Undervalued: Many OST professionals felt their roles were overlooked, with few development opportunities tailored to their unique experiences. This lack of recognition contributed to high turnover and diminished morale, even among passionate staff.

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“It definitely helps to even just take a couple deep breaths before you walk through the door. How you come in really sets the tone for your staff and your kids.” – Trish

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St. Vrain needed a training solution that validated these experiences, empowered staff with actionable tools, and renewed their passion for youth development.

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The Flourish Lab’s Solution

St. Vrain adopted a blended learning approach that combined The Flourish Lab’s e-learning platform with targeted in-person training, addressing both logistical and emotional needs of staff.

E-Learning

The platform provided structured, self-paced modules tailored to afterschool environments. Staff could engage with the content independently while accommodating their unique schedules and learning styles. Key modules focused on emotional regulation, student engagement, intentional planning, and building trusting relationships. The tone was accessible and affirming, ensuring every staff member felt seen in their daily experience.

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“It wasn’t one of those things where you just kind of sort of fall asleep and hit the next button. It really kept me focused on what they were trying to teach.” – Tarah

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Following each module, group discussions were held to reflect, share insights, and brainstorm applications. These conversations deepened understanding and fostered team connection. Reflection wasn’t just encouraged—it was embedded into the learning process.

In-Person Training

In-person sessions were designed to build on e-learning content and dive into the challenges staff were experiencing in real time. These workshops emphasized emotional intelligence, team-building, and leadership. The sessions were dynamic and human-centered, encouraging participants to bring their full selves to the room.

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“They really make you feel and think about things. Everyone leading these sessions shares and is vulnerable, and that makes a huge difference.” – Donna

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The interactive format encouraged vulnerability, reflection, and problem-solving—creating space for growth, connection, and skill-building. Facilitators modeled presence and empathy, encouraging a culture of authenticity and curiosity.

Leadership Development

The Flourish Lab also created a leadership track for Site Leads and Coordinators, focused on developing:

• Self-awareness: Leaders reflected on their personal energy patterns and leadership identities to better understand how they show up in their roles.
• Coaching and communication tools: Participants practiced asking powerful questions, holding compassionate accountability, and facilitating meaningful conversations with staff.
• Managing energy and emotional regulation: Leaders learned tools to manage stress and sustain presence, even during moments of conflict or chaos.
• Navigating difficult conversations: The training emphasized practical strategies for addressing concerns early, naming tensions, and co-creating action steps

This series equipped leaders to show up as their best selves, support their teams, and create stronger site cultures..

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“It helped us grow as a team… we’re not fighting against each other anymore. The kids feel more calm and at ease with us.” – Leadership team member

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Implementation Timeline

• 2022: St. Vrain invited The Flourish Lab to speak at an afterschool-wide PD event.
• Early 2023: Staff onboarding to e-learning platform began. Site Leads attended an experiential session to build buy-in.
• Spring 2023: An afterschool-wide in-person PD day brought 100+ staff together to deepen learning.
• 2024: Continued e-learning modules, two additional in-person PD days, and a customized leadership development series.‍
• 2025: Plans include three PD days, continued e-learning, and enhanced support for embedding practices into daily routines.

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Results & Impact

The partnership between The Flourish Lab and St. Vrain School District has resulted in significant improvements in staff engagement, teamwork, and overall program effectiveness. Here are the most notable successes:

More Engaged and Empowered Staff

Staff reported feeling more connected to the training content and more confident applying strategies to their daily routines. The training encouraged agency, curiosity, and reflection. Staff were more likely to take ownership of their professional development and show up with purpose.

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“One of my team members was very disorganized—it was one of her first classes. Then she did the Flourish Lab on planning. The very next time, she came in totally organized, and ran the entire thing perfectly. Huge difference.” – Leadership team member

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Stronger Student Relationships

With tools to build connection and trust, staff were more equipped to engage even the most withdrawn or challenging students. They gained strategies for validation, presence, and relationship-building that created more consistent, nurturing environments.

Improved Team Communication

Shared language and training improved collaboration and reduced friction. Staff were more willing to discuss challenges, offer support, and share ideas. The team dynamic shifted from fragmented to unified.

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“I feel like my staff is more present with the kids during program, because they’ve planned everything ahead of time. When they go into program, it’s like — game on. They’re 100% with the kids.” – Leadership team member

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Increased Confidence & Readiness

Training helped staff navigate behavior challenges, plan effectively, and maintain composure in tough situations. Emotional resilience became a shared value. Staff were able to anchor in their "why" even during stressful days.

More Structured, Predictable Programs

Intentional planning reduced chaos during transitions and helped create more consistent environments for students. Sites that once struggled with unpredictability reported smoother flow and increased student engagement.

A Shift in How PD Is Perceived

Perhaps most notably, training was no longer seen as a task to complete—but as an opportunity to grow. Staff described the sessions as refreshing, validating, and directly applicable to their work.

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“They are sessions that actually add value—not just checking a box. They’re engaging, realistic, and things I will actually use in my program.” – Donna

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Lessons for the Field

Other OST programs can learn from St. Vrain’s approach:

• Blended Learning Works: Self-paced modules paired with live sessions create a dynamic model that’s flexible and relational. This combination respects adult learners while creating consistency and depth.
• Make Training Relevant: Training that centers real-life experiences—managing energy, transitions, behavior, and team dynamics—is more likely to resonate and stick. Practicality builds buy-in.
• Develop All Leaders: Leadership happens at every level. When site leads and frontline coordinators are equipped with self-awareness and communication tools, they elevate the entire culture.
• Address the Emotional Side of Work: Recognizing the emotional toll of OST work and giving staff tools to manage stress helps prevent burnout and fosters long-term retention.
• Affirm and Celebrate Afterschool Pros: Training that names the invisible labor of youth workers and affirms their impact helps staff feel seen, valued, and committed to their roles.

Conclusion

The Flourish Lab’s partnership with St. Vrain School District demonstrates the transformative power of intentional professional development rooted in emotional intelligence and real-world application. By equipping OST staff with tools for self-awareness, planning, communication, and leadership, St. Vrain has cultivated stronger teams, calmer classrooms, and more connected student relationships.

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“Think of yourself as someone coming in and making a difference for all of these students. Be prepared. Be ready. Be engaged. Have fun.” – David

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When adults feel seen, supported, and equipped, they show up differently. They build community. They lead with empathy. They help young people flourish.

We’d love to help your team do the same.

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