Lorraine Thoreson has extensive experience with workforce development for out-of-school time programs. Currently, she manages Michigan’s 21st Century Learning Communities within the Michigan Department of Education Office of Great Start. She has been instrumental in developing the Michigan Youth Development Associate credential, unique in being a state-led youth development credential. Lorraine also served on the executive board of directors of the National AfterSchool Association for 8 years and the Michigan AfterSchool Association executive board of directors for 10 years. Lorraine currently chairs the Quality committee and served on the Executive and Steering committee for the Michigan After-school Partnership which is a Mott funded afterschool network aligning partners interested in afterschool and out-of-school time programs.