MAPS Community Education ACES School Age Care Achieves I-SAC Accreditation
Mankato Area Public Schools (MAPS) Community Education’s ACES School-age Care program has officially achieved I-SAC Accreditation, a premier certification that recognizes high-quality school-age care programs across Minnesota.
I-SAC (pronounced “eye sack”) stands for Ignite School Age Care. Developed and facilitated by Ignite Afterschool, this rigorous accreditation ensures programs meet a high standard of quality, safety, and professionalism. Programs certified through the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) that achieve I-SAC Accreditation also qualify for increased Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) reimbursements.
To earn this recognition, ACES demonstrated excellence in six key areas:
- Intentional Program Design
- Supportive Relationships & Environment
- Youth Voice & Leadership
- Responsiveness to Culture & Identity
- Community & Family Engagement
- Youth Safety, Organizational Management & Staff Support
“We’re proud to have achieved I-SAC Accreditation,” said Audra Nissen Boyer, Director of Community Education. “This milestone is a reflection of our team’s dedication to providing high-quality experiences that are safe, supportive, and impactful for the young people and families we serve in our ACES School-age Care program.”
“We congratulate Mankato Area Public Schools Community Education on achieving I-SAC Accreditation,” added Devin Hanson, School Age Care Program Specialist at Ignite Afterschool. “Their nine-month commitment to this process demonstrates a deep investment in continuous improvement and quality care that benefits Minnesota’s youth.”
I-SAC: A New Standard for Minnesota Afterschool Programs
Unlike traditional accreditations that focus solely on proving standards, I-SAC emphasizes both proving and improving. Participating programs engage in a Continuous Program Improvement (CPI) process, supported by personalized coaching, cohort learning, and access to current research and best practices in the field.
I-SAC Accreditation by the Numbers:
- 4 Years: Accreditation is valid for four years with ongoing CPI participation
- 4 Cohort Sessions: Programs engage in peer and coach sessions during the cycle
- 6 Accreditation Areas: Known as the I-SAC “building blocks”
- 9 Months: Duration of the accreditation process, aligned with the school year
10 Steps: Structured process to guide programs through accreditation
