Afterschool Snack

"I want every girl to know that her voice can change the world": An interview with Girls Empowerment Network

We spoke with Ami Kane, Deputy Director at the Girls Empowerment Network, to discuss how the Spark Change Project is empowering girls to become advocates for the issues that matter the most to them and strengthening critical supports for their students with help from the New York Life...

BY: Maria Rizo 10/24/22

Afterschool in the Time of COVID-19: A look at rural, suburban, and urban communities

Last month, the brief, “Access to Afterschool Programs Remains a Challenge for Many Families,” reported out on national survey results from nearly 1,500 parents or guardians of school-age children, finding that in the U.S., while afterschool programs are delivering on keeping children...

BY: Nikki Yamashiro 09/13/22

Resources to help you Engage Every Student from wherever you sit

New parent data shows that for every child in an afterschool program, there are now four more who are waiting for an available program. It is more important than ever to amplify ways for programs, communities, districts, and states to connect every student to an afterschool program that wants...

BY: Maria Rizo 09/08/22

New survey shows that afterschool programs are still in high demand

Back-to-school season is in full swing and intermixed with the uplifting news stories on students’ return to the classroom are stories of the challenges taking place after the school day ends, from families waitlisted for afterschool programs to program providers struggling to find staff to...

BY: Nikki Yamashiro 08/30/22

Guest blog: Foundations, Inc.'s REACH model accelerates learning recovery in afterschool

By Elizabeth Cieri and Paula Houghton of Foundations, Inc. Educators across the nation are dealing with academic losses due to the pandemic -- mitigating those losses requires inventive thinking and better practices. “Coming out of the pandemic, we knew all kids suffered learning...

BY: Guest Blogger 08/29/22

Planning tools for your Lights On Afterschool celebration

We’re nine weeks out from the 23rd celebration of Lights On Afterschool! If you’re in search of event ideas or unsure where to begin, we’ve got you covered. Read on to discover our top planning tools to help you organize your event! Register your Lights On event by September...

BY: Tierra Easter 08/19/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Kentucky case-study

By Mahika Gupta and Alexa Kamen, the Afterschool Alliance’s inaugural Summer Policy Interns. Mahika is entering her Senior year at Colby College in Maine, working on degrees in English Creative Writing and Astrophysics and participating as a staff writer for her college paper. Alexa...

BY: Guest Blogger 08/18/22

Ensuring access to school meals this fall

As we approach the upcoming school year, school nutrition programs are increasingly important in ensuring children are fed during the hours they are in and out of school and addressing food insecurity exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, the Afterschool Alliance participated in the...

BY: Maria Rizo 08/11/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Connecticut case-study

BY: Guest Blogger 08/05/22

Staffing and student well-being remain top concerns for afterschool program providers in new survey

“Community awareness of the need for out-of-school time (OST) care and support has increased dramatically. However, without more directed funding efforts, hiring and retaining staff at a livable salary remains difficult, and is veering toward impossible,” one provider shared in a...

BY: Sophie Kidd 08/01/22

Weekly Media Roundup: October 19, 2022

Boston's Investment in Summer Learning Converts into High Participation this Year, WBUR (Massachusetts) A new report from Boston After School and Beyond shows nearly 16,000 students in the Boston area attended summer learning programs at schools and community organizations this summer, with...

BY: Magen Eissenstat 10/19/22

Weekly Media Roundup: October 12, 2022

An After-School Program that Enriches Learning Academically, Socially and Emotionally: Cleveland’s Promise, Cleveland.com (Ohio) At Almira Elementary School’s afterschool program in Cleveland, Ohio, students are now taking boxing lessons in addition to drawing, digital animation,...

BY: Magen Eissenstat 10/12/22

Weekly Media Roundup: October 5, 2022

Afterschool Programs Mobilize in Wake of Mass Shootings, Youth Today As communities grapple with horrific mass shootings such as those in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, afterschool programs are focusing on mentorship and social and emotional learning activities to help children heal. For...

BY: Magen Eissenstat 10/05/22

Weekly Media Roundup: September 28, 2022

Project S.T.I.N.G. Unveiled at Goodyear School, West Valley View (Arizona) Thanks to a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, students at Desert Star School in Goodyear, Arizona now have access to a free afterschool program that offers science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)...

BY: Magen Eissenstat 09/28/22

Weekly Media Roundup: September 21, 2022

Many Children are Regularly Exposed to Gun Violence. Here's How to Help them Heal, National Public Radio In the Cameron Community Ministries afterschool program in Rochester, New York, students learn leadership skills, take part in community-oriented projects, and connect with mentors...

BY: Magen Eissenstat 09/21/22

Weekly Media Roundup: September 14, 2022

In- and After-School Programs Aim to Combat Mental Health Effects that COVID-19 Worsened, Youth Today The National Center for Health Statistics reports that in 2021, seven in 10 public schools saw a rise in children seeking mental health services. To support student wellbeing, schools and...

BY: Magen Eissenstat 09/14/22

Weekly Media Roundup: September 7, 2022

After-School Program Blends Tutoring, Circus Training, WBBM Newsradio (Illinois) At the CircEsteem afterschool program in Chicago, children ages 3 to 18 build their self-confidence by learning aerial arts, tumbling and juggling, alongside academic tutoring and mentorship. The program partners...

BY: Magen Eissenstat 09/07/22

Weekly Media Roundup: August 31, 2022

Boys & Girls Clubs Help Fill Need for After-School Programing, Fox 2 Detroit (Michigan) Amid historic unmet demand for afterschool, the Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan is helping close the gap for students and their families with programming that includes tutoring, meals,...

BY: Magen Eissenstat 08/31/22

Weekly Media Roundup: August 24, 2022

Local School Program Helps Students Succeed, Expands to Midland, WNEM (Michigan) Throughout the pandemic, R1SE Education & Recreation in Freeland, Michigan provided before- and after school programs and tutoring support to students to help keep them engaged and learning. This fall, they are...

BY: Magen Eissenstat 08/24/22

Weekly Media Roundup: August 17, 2022

North Carolina YMCA Afterschool Programs Growing Students Critical Skills, WFMY (North Carolina) Recent assessments of North Carolina Alliance of YMCAs’ afterschool programs found that two-thirds of participating students improved in two or more character development skills this past year....

BY: Magen Eissenstat 08/17/22

"I want every girl to know that her voice can change the world": An interview with Girls Empowerment Network

BY: Maria Rizo 10/24/22

Expanding possibilities for students with The Wooden Floor, a New York Life Foundation Aim High grantee

In a follow-up conversation with 2021 New York Life Foundation Aim High grantee The Wooden Floor, we spoke with Chief Executive Officer Dawn S. Reese to discuss more on how the Aim High grant has continued to support the program in the past year and what she is seeing among youth today. Read our...

BY: Maria Rizo 09/29/22

5 ways to share your students' entrepreneurial mindsets during Lights On

By Scott Mann, VentureLab, Jessie Jones and Kelly Biggar of Young Entrepreneur Institute (YEI), and Liz Nusken, Ohio Afterschool Network (OAN). Photo courtesy of Youth Panel on Entrepreneurship Education. Afterschool programs play a vital role in helping young people explore and develop...

BY: Guest Blogger 09/26/22

September resources from Million Girls Moonshot

To help students see themselves with a future in STEM and to broaden understanding of science history, it is important for students to learn about a diverse range of scientists and engineers. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we highlight a few of the Hispanic and Latinx scientists and engineers...

BY: Chris Neitzey 09/20/22

Resources to help you Engage Every Student from wherever you sit

BY: Maria Rizo 09/08/22

Energy Superheroes to celebrate Lights On Afterschool!

We’re thrilled to share that Energy Superheroes and Trailblazers are joining in the nation’s celebration of afterschool programs, Lights On Afterschool! Energy Superheroes and Trailblazers are real-life women with superpowers and careers that are leading the energy transition. Many of...

BY: Shaun Gray 09/06/22

August resources from Million Girls Moonshot

The school year has started for many across the country, and the August assets from Million Girls Moonshot focus on opportunities and resources for Networks and partners to build the capacity of program providers around the four transformative programming areas: 1) Equity and Inclusion, 2)...

BY: Chris Neitzey 09/01/22

Guest blog: Foundations, Inc.'s REACH model accelerates learning recovery in afterschool

BY: Guest Blogger 08/29/22

NCES data release shows increased opportunities for summer learning and more mental health supports

In early August, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a part of the Institute of Education Services, the research branch of the Department of Education, released findings from its June 2022 School Pulse Panel (SPP) study. The study’s goal is to collect data on the impact the...

BY: Sophie Kidd 08/25/22

Planning tools for your Lights On Afterschool celebration

BY: Tierra Easter 08/19/22

Opportunity: CCDF supplemental funds available for school-age programs

Now and over the next year, states are focusing on spending “child care CCDF supplemental funds” that must be obligated by 2023 and liquidated in 2024. State administrative agencies of the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF, also known as CCDBG) recently faced three concurrent...

BY: Jillian Luchner 10/25/22

Uplift youth voices during Lights On Afterschool!

We are just three weeks away from Lights On Afterschool! Here is your weekly to do list: Distribute a media alert telling reporters about your event. Facing uncertainty about an element of your event? Review our case studies for expert advice from afterschool...

BY: Tierra Easter 09/30/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Kentucky case-study

BY: Guest Blogger 08/18/22

New resource from Department of Education on implementing quality afterschool and summer programs

In tandem with the launch of the historic Engage Every Student initiative last month, the Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES) released a new tool to support states, school districts, and community based programs in using evidence to implement and expand quality...

BY: Erik Peterson 08/16/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Connecticut case-study

BY: Guest Blogger 08/05/22

Congress approves the CHIPS and Science Act, including new programs to support informal STEM learning

If you blinked you may have missed a new name for the competitiveness package. What started in the Senate as the Endless Frontier Act became the U.S. Innovation & Competition Act (USICA), then CHIPS, then CHIPS +, and finally settled as the CHIPS and Science Act. On Wednesday, July 27, the...

BY: Chris Neitzey 08/02/22

Senate Bill for FY 23 Appropriations proposes $85 million increase for 21st CCLC

The Senate Appropriations Committee released a Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill on July 28, 2022. The Fiscal Year 2023 proposed bill would increase overall spending from last year’s LHHS appropriations by 10 percent or $21 billion dollars. The bill...

BY: Jillian Luchner 07/29/22

New summer and afterschool meal flexibilities being rolled out by Department of Agriculture

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) recently issued a news release announcing several new child nutrition program nationwide waivers and flexibilities under authority provided by the recently passed Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022 to support child nutrition program operations in Summer...

BY: Erik Peterson 07/19/22

Congress looks to address United States competitiveness in recent legislative effort

In early May, congress officially took the biggest step in negotiating a competitiveness bill by naming 107 members of congress (26 Senators and 71 House members) to the conference committee charged with reconciling differences between the House’s COMPETES Act and the Senate’s USICA...

BY: Chris Neitzey 07/08/22

Congress works to address summer and school meal challenges before end of month deadline

Update (6/24): After the Senate passed an amended version of the Keep Kids Fed Act (removing the provision that would have allowed reduced price meals to be free next school year), on June 24 the House followed the Senate and passed the bipartisan Keep Kids Fed Act sending it to the...

BY: Erik Peterson 06/23/22

More than half of superintendents say summer learning/enrichment programs will decrease or end after ARP funding runs out, according to new survey

This summer, The American Association of School Administrators (AASA) released the third part of their series “School District Spending of American Rescue Plan Funding” which surveys district leaders on how they’re using ARP funds to respond to the pandemic and learning...

BY: Sophie Kidd 10/11/22

Learning about summer learning

Summer enrichment funding for every state was required in the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER). The State of Summer Learning Grants: An Analysis of States’ Use of ARP Summer Enrichment published in July by the organization Education...

BY: Jillian Luchner 09/19/22

Resources to help you Engage Every Student from wherever you sit

BY: Maria Rizo 09/08/22

Guest blog: Foundations, Inc.'s REACH model accelerates learning recovery in afterschool

BY: Guest Blogger 08/29/22

NCES data release shows increased opportunities for summer learning and more mental health supports

BY: Sophie Kidd 08/25/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Kentucky case-study

BY: Guest Blogger 08/18/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Connecticut case-study

BY: Guest Blogger 08/05/22

Staffing and student well-being remain top concerns for afterschool program providers in new survey

BY: Sophie Kidd 08/01/22

New examples of COVID relief funding for afterschool from National League of Cities

In the next phase of our COVID work and to celebrate the launch of the Engage Every Student Initiative, we have collaborated with the National League of Cities (NLC) on the next iteration of our map that shows where COVID funds are supporting afterschool & summer programs across the country....

BY: Sophie Kidd 07/22/22

Roundup of afterschool in State Budgets Part 2

With state legislative sessions wrapping up and state budgets now finalized, we bring you our second installment of the roundup of afterschool funding in state budgets. As highlighted in the previous post from June, this year brought a number of new investments in afterschool at the state level....

BY: Chris Neitzey 07/21/22

Planning tools for your Lights On Afterschool celebration

BY: Tierra Easter 08/19/22

The future of learning

Photo: Courtesy of YMCA of Honolulu at Herton Branch By Ridgway White, president and CEO of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. This article originally was published as a Mott Perspectives piece on the Foundation’s website. It has been reposted here with permission. This is a...

BY: Guest Blogger 06/21/22

Philanthropists MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett invest in a host of afterschool programs

As part of a larger series of gifts to nonprofit organizations, this spring, philanthropists MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett announced the contribution of a combined investment of more than $500 million towards at least 29 afterschool, summer learning, and positive youth development organizations....

BY: Erik Peterson 04/18/22

Afterschool community mourns passing of Rep. Don Young

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), who passed away this weekend, was a tireless and powerful champion for children and families in Alaska and across the country, and one of Congress’ most ardent and dedicated supporters of the afterschool and summer learning programs that help children and youth...

BY: Erik Peterson 03/24/22

10 minutes of your time can help us continue to tell the story of afterschool

A recent Associated Press story highlighted the staffing challenges afterschool programs are grappling with. A Youth Today article last fall described the how the demand for summer programs was outpacing programs’ resources. Thanks to afterschool and summer program providers’ responses...

BY: Nikki Yamashiro 03/23/22

Giving a big #AmeriThanks to AmeriCorps VISTA members!

It’s AmeriCorps Week! Organizations around the country are taking this opportunity to acknowledge the work of national service members that participate in programs such as AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps VISTA, Senior Corps, and National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). In that spirit, we want to...

BY: Alexis Steines 03/18/22

Announcing winners of the afterschool staff gratitude campaign

As 2021 came to a close, the Afterschool Alliance launched a gratitude campaign across social media to encourage the field to recognize the amazing work of afterschool professionals. From teaching critical life skills outside of the classroom to “shaping the next generation of leaders,”...

BY: Maria Rizo 02/01/22

Mentorship "show[ed] me my self-worth... the value that I have as a human."

Photo by Josh Sorenson on Unsplash The impact of afterschool and summer programs last well beyond a student’s formative years. The relationships that afterschool youth build with the adults in their programs often lead to academic success and future leadership opportunities. Mentored youth...

BY: Tierra Easter 01/25/22

Understanding “comprehensive afterschool” in the American Rescue Plan

In the American Rescue Plan, funds are allocated specifically for “the implementation of evidence-based interventions aimed specifically at addressing learning loss, such as summer learning or summer enrichment, extended day, comprehensive afterschool programs, or extended school year...

BY: Charlotte Steinecke 01/21/22

Afterschool as a teacher pathway

By Sam Piha, founder and co-director of Temescal Associates and The How Kids Learn Foundation, both organizations dedicated to promoting the learning and healthy development of youth. Our national teacher shortage predated COVID-19, however there is growing evidence that suggests that the...

BY: Guest Blogger 01/20/22

Archives:

Weekly Media Roundup: February 1, 2023

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Weekly Media Roundup: February 1, 2023

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RECENT AFTERSCHOOL SNACKS

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In the Field

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Meet our 2023 Youth Afterschool Ambassadors

Policy

Mammoth spending bill includes support for afterschool, summer, mentoring, and more

In the Field

Building peer-to-peer relationships and taking "safe risks": Project Morry

News Roundup

Weekly Media Roundup: January 18, 2023

In the Field

Welcome Elizabeth Bannan, our new Project Associate!

research

New America After 3PM brief focuses on Native American youth and families

News Roundup

Weekly Media Roundup: January 11, 2023

In the Field

January is National Mentoring Month

Policy

Previewing the 118th Congress: What does it mean for afterschool?

Policy

D.C. Mayor Bowser pledges to build robust afterschool programs in inaugural address

News Roundup

Weekly Media Roundup: January 4, 2022

"I want every girl to know that her voice can change the world": An interview with Girls Empowerment Network

Afterschool in the Time of COVID-19: A look at rural, suburban, and urban communities

Resources to help you Engage Every Student from wherever you sit

New survey shows that afterschool programs are still in high demand

Guest blog: Foundations, Inc.'s REACH model accelerates learning recovery in afterschool

Planning tools for your Lights On Afterschool celebration

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Kentucky case-study

Ensuring access to school meals this fall

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Connecticut case-study

Staffing and student well-being remain top concerns for afterschool program providers in new survey

Weekly Media Roundup: October 19, 2022

Weekly Media Roundup: October 12, 2022

Weekly Media Roundup: October 5, 2022

Weekly Media Roundup: September 28, 2022

Weekly Media Roundup: September 21, 2022

Weekly Media Roundup: September 14, 2022

Weekly Media Roundup: September 7, 2022

Weekly Media Roundup: August 31, 2022

Weekly Media Roundup: August 24, 2022

Weekly Media Roundup: August 17, 2022

"I want every girl to know that her voice can change the world": An interview with Girls Empowerment Network

Expanding possibilities for students with The Wooden Floor, a New York Life Foundation Aim High grantee

5 ways to share your students' entrepreneurial mindsets during Lights On

September resources from Million Girls Moonshot

Resources to help you Engage Every Student from wherever you sit

Energy Superheroes to celebrate Lights On Afterschool!

August resources from Million Girls Moonshot

Guest blog: Foundations, Inc.'s REACH model accelerates learning recovery in afterschool

NCES data release shows increased opportunities for summer learning and more mental health supports

Planning tools for your Lights On Afterschool celebration

Opportunity: CCDF supplemental funds available for school-age programs

Uplift youth voices during Lights On Afterschool!

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Kentucky case-study

New resource from Department of Education on implementing quality afterschool and summer programs

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Connecticut case-study

Congress approves the CHIPS and Science Act, including new programs to support informal STEM learning

Senate Bill for FY 23 Appropriations proposes $85 million increase for 21st CCLC

New summer and afterschool meal flexibilities being rolled out by Department of Agriculture

Congress looks to address United States competitiveness in recent legislative effort

Congress works to address summer and school meal challenges before end of month deadline

More than half of superintendents say summer learning/enrichment programs will decrease or end after ARP funding runs out, according to new survey

Learning about summer learning

Resources to help you Engage Every Student from wherever you sit

Guest blog: Foundations, Inc.'s REACH model accelerates learning recovery in afterschool

NCES data release shows increased opportunities for summer learning and more mental health supports

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Kentucky case-study

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Connecticut case-study