As conversations around federal funding and education priorities continue to evolve, one thing remains constant: strong advocacy is essential to ensuring that young people have access to high-quality afterschool and summer learning opportunities.

While federal investments remain a cornerstone of the field, today's landscape underscores the importance of cultivating sustainable support at the state and local levels. Across the country, advocates are successfully building momentum for dedicated afterschool funding by engaging policymakers, building coalitions, and making a compelling case for investment.

That's why we're highlighting An Advocate's Playbook: Strategies to Expand State Investments in Afterschool & Summer from our strategic partners at the Afterschool Alliance. Whether you're leading a statewide campaign, supporting local advocacy efforts, or simply looking to better understand how public investments are made, this practical resource is packed with strategies that can help.

The playbook draws on successful efforts from states across the country and outlines four core advocacy strategies:

• Collect and use data to demonstrate need and impact
• Build relationships with policymakers and key stakeholders
• Communicate clear, compelling messages about the value of afterschool
• Mobilize partners and champions around shared funding goals

You'll also find state funding spotlights, messaging tools, budget process guidance, and practical resources that organizations, coalitions, and statewide afterschool networks can adapt to their own communities.

Effective advocacy has to be about more than just responding to change — it's about creating lasting opportunities for young people and families. As states continue to explore new ways to invest in afterschool and summer learning, resources like this one can help advocates build the relationships, strategies, and momentum needed to make those investments a reality.

Explore the playbook and consider how its ideas can strengthen your own advocacy efforts.

Students are far more likely to attend school when they feel connected, capable, and engaged. In this timely piece for The 74, NAA Board of Directors Vice Chair Shawna Rosenzweig argues that afterschool and summer programs must be part of any serious strategy to address chronic absenteeism. Drawing on research and real-world examples, she highlights how high-quality out-of-school time programs foster meaningful relationships, build confidence, spark curiosity, and create a sense of belonging—factors that often determine whether young people show up and succeed.

Her thoughtful perspective is a powerful reminder that addressing absenteeism requires more than attendance interventions during the school day. In addition, focus and investment needs to be put towards the experiences and supportive environments that help young people thrive both in and beyond the classroom. Read the full article to explore how out-of-school time programs can help drive stronger attendance, academic success, and student well-being.

As communities prepare for another summer of learning and enrichment, a recent research brief from The Wallace Foundation offers a timely look at what it takes to sustain high-quality summer programs in an era of funding uncertainty.

Drawing on the experiences of leaders from 13 school districts participating in the District Summer Learning Network (DSLN), the brief examines how districts are working to maintain and strengthen summer learning opportunities even as pandemic-era relief funding comes to an end.

The findings will feel familiar to many afterschool and summer learning professionals. The brief highlights four key strategies that districts are using to sustain progress: engaging in early, collaborative planning; building broad support among families, students, community members, and decision-makers; developing durable partnerships with local organizations and institutions; and leveraging multiple funding sources to support program quality and access.

One of the report’s strongest messages is that summer learning cannot be treated as a stand-alone initiative. Districts that have made the most progress are embedding summer planning into their broader educational strategies, creating cross-departmental teams, strengthening relationships with community partners, and elevating student and family voices in decision-making. These efforts help build the internal commitment and external support needed to sustain programs over time.

The brief also explores the difficult choices many districts face when funding becomes less predictable. Rather than abandoning summer learning altogether, leaders are finding ways to preserve core program elements while adapting staffing models, enrollment targets, or enrichment offerings as needed.

For afterschool and summer learning leaders, the report serves as both a practical resource and a reminder that strong partnerships, strategic planning, and sustained advocacy are essential ingredients for long-term success. As the field continues to navigate changing funding landscapes, these lessons offer valuable guidance for ensuring young people continue to have access to meaningful summer experiences.

Read the full Wallace Foundation brief to explore the strategies, examples, and recommendations emerging from districts across the country.

New findings from the Afterschool Alliance's latest America After 3PM summer research underscore a troubling reality: while Black and Brown families overwhelmingly value summer learning opportunities, many continue to face significant barriers to accessing them.

A recently released summer brief finds that parents of 24.6 million young people want access to summer programs that provide safe, engaging environments where children can learn, build relationships, and stay active. Yet approximately 12.6 million children are missing out on the summer opportunities their families want for them.

For many Black and Brown families, affordability remains the greatest obstacle. The report shows that cost is a major barrier for low- and middle-income households, which often spend a larger share of their income on summer programs than higher-income families. As a result, access to enriching summer experiences remains uneven, despite strong demand.

These findings align with recent America After 3PM briefs focused on Black and Hispanic families. Those reports reveal exceptionally high demand for out-of-school time opportunities, with roughly three out of four Black children and nearly four out of five Hispanic children who want to participate in programs unable to access them. Families cited cost, transportation challenges, limited availability, and insufficient program capacity as key barriers.

At the same time, families overwhelmingly recognize the benefits of these programs. Parents report that afterschool and summer learning opportunities help young people build life skills, develop positive relationships, stay engaged in productive activities, and support working families by providing peace of mind and reliable care. Public support for funding these programs remains strong across communities and political affiliations.

As communities work to expand access to quality summer and afterschool programs, the data serve as a reminder that increasing affordability, availability, and accessibility will be critical to ensuring all young people have opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive beyond the school day.

A new national report from the Afterschool Alliance reveals that millions of families are struggling to access affordable summer opportunities for their children, even as demand for structured summer programs continues to grow. The findings come from The Summer Struggle for Everyday Families, part of the organization’s latest America After 3PM research series.

According to the report, parents of 24.6 million children want their child to participate in a structured summer experience — such as a summer camp, enrichment program, sports program, summer school, job, or internship — but only 12 million children are enrolled. That leaves roughly 12.6 million young people missing out due to barriers including cost, transportation, accessibility, and limited program availability.

The study, based on a survey of more than 30,000 parents nationwide, also underscores the value families place on summer learning opportunities. Parents identified safe environments, engaging educational activities, physical activity, caring staff, and reduced screen time among the most important qualities they seek in summer programs. Families whose children were able to participate reported overwhelmingly positive experiences, with 96% of parents expressing satisfaction with their child’s program.

The report also found broad public support for investment in summer learning, with nearly nine in ten parents supporting public funding for summer programs.

“Finding affordable summer programs for their children is one of the greatest challenges many working families face,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. She added that summer programs provide children with safe spaces, opportunities to stay active and engaged, and support for working parents — but emphasized that many families are still unable to access the programs they need.

The new summer findings build on the Afterschool Alliance’s broader America After 3PM initiative, which examines participation in and demand for afterschool and summer learning programs nationwide. The research was conducted by Edge Research with support from The Wallace Foundation.

To explore the full report, national and state data dashboards, and additional resources, visit the Afterschool Alliance’s America After 3PM page

A new national report from the Afterschool Alliance reveals that millions of families are struggling to access affordable summer opportunities for their children, even as demand for structured summer programs continues to grow. The findings come from The Summer Struggle for Everyday Families, part of the organization’s latest America After 3PM research series.

According to the report, parents of 24.6 million children want their child to participate in a structured summer experience — such as a summer camp, enrichment program, sports program, summer school, job, or internship — but only 12 million children are enrolled. That leaves roughly 12.6 million young people missing out due to barriers including cost, transportation, accessibility, and limited program availability.

The study, based on a survey of more than 30,000 parents nationwide, also underscores the value families place on summer learning opportunities. Parents identified safe environments, engaging educational activities, physical activity, caring staff, and reduced screen time among the most important qualities they seek in summer programs. Families whose children were able to participate reported overwhelmingly positive experiences, with 96% of parents expressing satisfaction with their child’s program.

The report also found broad public support for investment in summer learning, with nearly nine in ten parents supporting public funding for summer programs.

“Finding affordable summer programs for their children is one of the greatest challenges many working families face,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. She added that summer programs provide children with safe spaces, opportunities to stay active and engaged, and support for working parents — but emphasized that many families are still unable to access the programs they need.

The new summer findings build on the Afterschool Alliance’s broader America After 3PM initiative, which examines participation in and demand for afterschool and summer learning programs nationwide. The research was conducted by Edge Research with support from The Wallace Foundation.

To explore the full report, national and state data dashboards, and additional resources, visit the Afterschool Alliance’s America After 3PM page

America After 3PM: The Summer Struggle for Everyday Families will take place on May 19, 2026, at 1 p.m. Eastern and will feature findings from the Afterschool Alliance’s hallmark America After 3PM nationwide household survey. The webinar will highlight what families are experiencing today when it comes to accessing summer learning opportunities and what the latest data means for communities, educators, and youth-serving professionals across the country.

Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant will share key findings and lead a conversation with a distinguished panel of leaders representing philanthropy, education, youth development, and public safety. Featured speakers include Gigi Antoni of The Wallace Foundation; Lindsey R. Blevins of Tuscaloosa City Schools and Alabama’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers; Carlos M. Gonzalez Jr., Superintendent of Roma ISD in Texas; and Travis Patten, Sheriff of Adams County, Mississippi.

Together, panelists will discuss the importance of summer learning opportunities, the growing demand for programs, and the role afterschool and summer initiatives play in supporting young people, families, and communities. Attendees will also learn more about policy recommendations and advocacy priorities informed by the new research.

The America After 3PM summer findings are based on research funded by The Wallace Foundation and offer valuable insights for program providers, school district leaders, advocates, policymakers, and community partners working to expand access to high-quality summer learning opportunities.

Registration is free, but advance registration is required.

Register for the webinar here.

As summer approaches, new research from The Wallace Foundation offers timely insights for the out-of-school time (OST) field. Their recent brief, Sustaining Momentum: Summer Learning – Building Capacity and Strengthening Partnerships, underscores what many afterschool professionals already know: high-quality summer learning is essential to keeping young people engaged, supported, and thriving beyond the school year.

The brief highlights the importance of strong cross-sector partnerships, intentional program design, and sustained, diversified investment in both programs and the workforce. It reinforces that effective summer learning is not a one-time intervention, but part of a broader, year-round strategy to support academic, social, and emotional development.

For OST leaders and professionals, this is a critical moment. Summer is right around the corner, and planning now can ensure programs are staffed, supported, and ready to deliver meaningful experiences for youth and families. As research and field experience continue to affirm, skilled professionals are the backbone of quality programs and positive youth outcomes.

We encourage our members and partners to explore this new resource and consider how its insights can strengthen summer planning, partnerships, and workforce supports across the field. Click through and learn more today.

In the fall 2025 edition of AfterSchool Today, Jamie Dansereau, shares a powerful example of what happens when a community decides that out-of-school time (OST) isn’t an add-on, it’s essential infrastructure.

In the West River Valley of Southern Vermont, the school board and broader community made a bold choice: remove financial barriers so every child can participate in OST. No fees. No tradeoffs. No impossible choices for families.

In West River, families no longer have to weigh afterschool participation against groceries, rent, or heating fuel. Staff no longer spend time chasing payments. Employers benefit from stable workforces. Teachers see students arriving more prepared to learn. And young people experience consistent support beyond the school day.

By committing public dollars to OST, West River built a model grounded in sustainability and shared responsibility. The return on investment speaks for itself. Research shows that afterschool programs generate a $3 return for every $1 invested — a 200 percent ROI. For comparison, that far outpaces average S&P 500 returns. But in West River, the impact is measured in more than numbers. It’s visible in students discovering leadership skills, in alumni returning as mentors and staff, and in families who can work without fear of childcare gaps.

Read the full article to learn about how West River integrated OST more fully into the community.

A new brief from the National League of Cities (NLC) reinforces what many in the afterschool field have long known: local leaders view afterschool programs as foundational to thriving communities.

In City Voices on Afterschool Programs: A Summary of Survey Responses, NLC shares findings from a 2025 survey of 165 city leaders. The results reveal overwhelming support for afterschool and position these programs not as optional extras, but as core civic infrastructure.

Broad, Cross-Country Consensus

The numbers are striking:

• 96.4% of city leaders rated afterschool programs as important to their community.
• 76.4% rated them as very important.
• Only 3.6% said they were not at all important.

Support spans city sizes and regions. Larger cities (200,000+ residents) reported the highest share rating afterschool as “very important” (about 87%), and leaders in the South and Midwest showed particularly strong enthusiasm .

For leaders, advocates, and funders in the OST space, this confirms a critical point: municipal buy-in is not the barrier. The appetite for afterschool investment is already there.

Why Cities Value Afterschool

City leaders linked afterschool programs to three interconnected priorities:

Youth development and opportunity.
Respondents emphasized teamwork, character development, and exposure to career pathways beyond traditional academic routes.

Safety and supervision.
Leaders cited the disconnect between work hours and school hours and the need for safe, structured environments during out-of-school time.

Community and economic impact.
Afterschool was framed as a workforce strategy and long-term economic investment,  helping communities attract and retain families, build future talent pipelines, and even shift trajectories from poverty to generational wealth.

This framing matters. When municipal leaders connect afterschool to economic vitality and workforce readiness, the conversation moves beyond enrichment and into systems-level investment.

Delivery Is Shared — and That Creates Opportunity

The survey also clarifies who is delivering services locally. School districts are the most common providers, followed closely by community-based organizations. Cities play a particularly strong role in enrichment and coordination.

However, the brief highlights an important gap. Decades of research show that comprehensive programs, those which combine enrichment, academic tutoring, and social-emotional supports, drive the strongest outcomes. Yet cities most often provide enrichment activities, while academic supports are more frequently led by school districts .

That misalignment between research and delivery represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Stronger municipal–district–CBO partnerships, along with intentional funding strategies, could help communities move from fragmented offerings to comprehensive systems.

Implications for the Field

NLC’s findings send a clear signal to the afterschool ecosystem:

• Afterschool is widely viewed as core infrastructure, on par with public safety and transportation.
• Cities serve as critical conveners and connectors, even when they are not the primary operators.
• Cross-sector collaboration is essential to ensure equitable access and long-term sustainability .

For advocates and funders, this is a moment of alignment. Local leaders already understand the value of afterschool. The next step is matching that commitment with sustained, comprehensive investment, particularly in academic supports and system coordination.

As the brief concludes, cities that treat afterschool as essential infrastructure and align resources accordingly position themselves for a skilled, resilient, and civically engaged future workforce .

The field now has timely evidence that municipal leaders are ready. The opportunity ahead is to help translate that consensus into durable systems that serve every child and strengthen every community.

A new Wallace Foundation article highlights how a community-powered approach to out-of-school-time (OST) systems can lead to more equitable, responsive, and sustainable opportunities for youth, especially in neighborhoods where traditional systems have struggled to meet local needs.

 The COVID-19 pandemic and national calls for racial equity revealed deep gaps in access to quality afterschool and summer learning programs across many cities. In response, out-of-school-time intermediaries — the organizations that help anchor, coordinate, and support citywide OST systems — are shifting their role from centralized coordinators to community cultivators that ensure local voices shape decisions and strategy.

Baltimore’s Family League serves as a compelling example of this shift. As the city’s OST intermediary, it not only distributes funding and provides professional development, but also builds partnerships that intentionally include grassroots organizations and community stakeholders.

By creating processes such as community advisory boards, offering tailored proposal support, and tapping youth feedback through annual surveys, Family League demonstrates how authentic engagement can increase trust, build local leadership, and strengthen program quality.

Why this matters to providers:

• Equity in action: Designing grants and supports that meet local needs can help smaller community programs grow and thrive rather than disappear in the wake of big funder priorities.
  
• Shared leadership: When youth and families help shape decisions, programs become more relevant and effective.
• Stronger systems: When shared and acted upon, data and feedback loops build continuous improvement into OST ecosystems.

Elevating community voice isn’t just a nice add-on. It’s central to building OST systems that are sustainable, equitable, and truly reflective of the young people and families they serve. Read the full Wallace Foundation article for deeper insights and ideas to bring community-centered practices to your own OST efforts.

In 2025, the Afterschool Alliance released the fifth edition of the America After 3PM, revealing that demand for out-of-school time programming is enormous, dramatically outpacing access. As the report revealed, more than 3 in 4 young people are missing out on programs that their families would like to be able to participate in. Two new reports show that this is especially true in Black and Hispanic households.

These briefs show that a huge majority of Black and Hispanic parents recognize the value of OST programs for both young people and their families, regardless of whether they have a child enrolled in a program or not. Despite this, about 3 in 4 Black children and nearly 4 in 5 Hispanic children who do want to participate in afterschool programs are unable to access one. In fact, demand increased 7% for Black families and 5% for Hispanic families just in the years since 2020. As the report found for the larger population, barriers including affordability, transportation, and availability prevent these families from enrolling their children as well.

The briefs also show that an overwhelming majority (over 90%) of Black and Hispanic families are in support of public funding for OST programs, and this support crosses party lines. Additionally, Black and Hispanic families who do have a child enrolled in an afterschool program report an array of available supports and are satisfied with most aspects of the program, including safety and quality of staff.

Click to dive deeper into the briefs or to check out the AA3 report in full.

The Fall 2025 edition of AfterSchool Today represented a joint effort between the National AfterSchool Association and the Afterschool Alliance to platform advocacy in all its forms. With the recent release of the Alliance’s report America After 3PM 2025, that call to action feels even more urgent.

Based on a survey of more than 30,000 U.S. parents, America After 3PM 2025 paints a clear picture: families want afterschool programs, but far too many can’t access them. Parents of nearly 30 million children wish to enroll them, yet only 7 million children and youth are currently in afterschool programs. That means more than three in four kids whose families want afterschool are being shut out.

In her article, Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant breaks down what’s driving the gap — including cost, transportation and safety challenges, and a lack of available programs — and how inequities are widening along income and race. She also highlights what the field has on its side: overwhelming parent support. Families value afterschool for supporting learning and life skills, reducing stress, boosting wellbeing, and helping parents keep their jobs. Public backing is strong, too, with nearly nine in ten parents supporting public funding across demographic and political lines.

Read the Full Article.

Grant’s piece is both a data-grounded snapshot and a push for what comes next: more stable funding, stronger outreach, and everyday advocacy that elevates program stories and voices to decision-makers and the broader public. If you’re looking for timely stats and clear talking points to power your own advocacy, this is a must-read.

In the latest edition of AfterSchool Today, Sunni Rae Tainter, Network Lead for the New Hampshire Afterschool Network, offers a powerful reminder of the ways that OST serves as a lifeline woven into the daily realities of families and communities.

Through vivid stories of grandparents stepping in to raise grandchildren, foster youth navigating constant transitions, and caregivers finding support in moments of uncertainty, Tainter illustrates how OST programs often become the steady force holding everything else together. These aren’t “extras.” They’re everyday acts of advocacy, the kind that rarely make it into reports, but fundamentally change lives.

Read the Article Now

Tainter makes a compelling case for why sharing these stories matters. When we lift up the ways OST supports families, connects systems, and keeps kids grounded, we help decision-makers understand its true value in the childcare and education landscape. Her piece is a reminder that the future of the field depends on making this work visible and on the voices of those who live it every day.

In the latest edition of AfterSchool Today, National AfterSchool Association CEO Gina Warner sat down with Elliot Haspel, author of Raising a Nation: 10 Reasons Every American Has a Stake in Child Care for All.

In the interview, Haspel shared what led him to write the book, why care needs to be seen as a public good, and how afterschool fits into a broader care system. For Haspel, child care isn't just a personal issue. It’s a public one, one that affects our communities, our economy, and our future.

Read the Article Now

Haspel’s message is clear: If we want strong kids, families, and communities, we need to treat care at all stages as public infrastructure. That includes school-age care and afterschool programs. If you haven’t read Raising a Nation yet, pick up a copy to start connecting the dots between your daily work and the broader movement for care as a public good.

The National AfterSchool Association is proud to celebrate the Wallace Foundation’s launch of Advancing Opportunities for Adolescents, a bold new multi-year youth development initiative investing up to $120 million to expand out-of-school opportunities for young people across seven communities nationwide.

This initiative underscores the critical role of afterschool and youth development in shaping futures by helping adolescents discover new interests, build essential skills, and explore career pathways that promote long-term economic mobility.

A Shared Vision for Youth Development

At its heart, Wallace’s initiative reflects what the field has long known: out-of-school time learning is essential to helping young people thrive. From culturally sustaining practices to the power of strong youth-adult relationships, the activities Wallace is supporting — professional development, data-sharing, youth mentorship, and system sustainability — mirror the priorities that NAA champions every day.

As Wallace Vice President of Youth Development, Gigi Antoni, noted: “Although these seven partnerships have different zip codes, what they all have in common is their commitment to economic mobility, their openness to learning and trying new approaches, and the strong foundation they each have in place to take on this endeavor.”

Alignment with NAA’s Mission and Work

Wallace’s announcement builds on a powerful momentum in the field, one reflected in the National Academies’ report, The Future of Youth Development: Building Systems and Strengthening Programs. NAA is proud that our work already aligns with these national calls to action.

• Elevating Quality: Our forthcoming Youth Development Foundational Practices Credential will strengthen everyday practices that create inclusive, empowering environments for youth.
• Supporting the Workforce: Through our Thriving Workforce Initiative, NAA advocates for fair compensation, career advancement, and recognition for OST professionals—the very backbone of these systems.
• Strengthening Systems: NAA’s Affiliate network and partnerships connect leaders across 37 states, sharing strategies, elevating intermediaries, and building the systems needed to sustain lasting change.
• Centering Equity and Access: Just as Wallace emphasizes equitable career-focused opportunities, NAA continues to provide tools, frameworks, and policy recommendations to ensure every young person has access to high-quality OST experiences.
• Driving Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Like Wallace, NAA is deeply committed to research, sharing evidence-based strategies, and amplifying practitioner voices to drive systemic change.

A Bright Future for Adolescents and the OST Field

Wallace’s Advancing Opportunities for Adolescents initiative is a testament to what’s possible when communities, funders, and the field come together around a shared vision. It recognizes that economic mobility begins with access, opportunity, and caring adult relationships.

At NAA, we look forward to learning alongside our colleagues throughout the country and to sharing tools, stories, and insights that will strengthen the OST profession and inspire the next generation of youth leaders.

Together, we can ensure that afterschool and youth development are prioritized, resourced, and celebrated as vital pathways to thriving futures.

The National AfterSchool Association is proud to celebrate the Wallace Foundation’s launch of Advancing Opportunities for Adolescents, a bold new multi-year youth development initiative investing up to $120 million to expand out-of-school opportunities for young people across seven communities nationwide.

This initiative underscores the critical role of afterschool and youth development in shaping futures by helping adolescents discover new interests, build essential skills, and explore career pathways that promote long-term economic mobility.

A Shared Vision for Youth Development

At its heart, Wallace’s initiative reflects what the field has long known: out-of-school time learning is essential to helping young people thrive. From culturally sustaining practices to the power of strong youth-adult relationships, the activities Wallace is supporting — professional development, data-sharing, youth mentorship, and system sustainability — mirror the priorities that NAA champions every day.

As Wallace Vice President of Youth Development, Gigi Antoni, noted: “Although these seven partnerships have different zip codes, what they all have in common is their commitment to economic mobility, their openness to learning and trying new approaches, and the strong foundation they each have in place to take on this endeavor.”

Alignment with NAA’s Mission and Work

Wallace’s announcement builds on a powerful momentum in the field, one reflected in the National Academies’ report, The Future of Youth Development: Building Systems and Strengthening Programs. NAA is proud that our work already aligns with these national calls to action.

• Elevating Quality: Our forthcoming Youth Development Foundational Practices Credential will strengthen everyday practices that create inclusive, empowering environments for youth.
• Supporting the Workforce: Through our Thriving Workforce Initiative, NAA advocates for fair compensation, career advancement, and recognition for OST professionals—the very backbone of these systems.
• Strengthening Systems: NAA’s Affiliate network and partnerships connect leaders across 37 states, sharing strategies, elevating intermediaries, and building the systems needed to sustain lasting change.
• Centering Equity and Access: Just as Wallace emphasizes equitable career-focused opportunities, NAA continues to provide tools, frameworks, and policy recommendations to ensure every young person has access to high-quality OST experiences.
• Driving Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Like Wallace, NAA is deeply committed to research, sharing evidence-based strategies, and amplifying practitioner voices to drive systemic change.

A Bright Future for Adolescents and the OST Field

Wallace’s Advancing Opportunities for Adolescents initiative is a testament to what’s possible when communities, funders, and the field come together around a shared vision. It recognizes that economic mobility begins with access, opportunity, and caring adult relationships.

At NAA, we look forward to learning alongside our colleagues throughout the country and to sharing tools, stories, and insights that will strengthen the OST profession and inspire the next generation of youth leaders.

Together, we can ensure that afterschool and youth development are prioritized, resourced, and celebrated as vital pathways to thriving futures.

A new report from Children’s Funding Project outlines successful strategies that state leaders are using to provide stable, long-term funding for programs and services outside of the traditional K-12 school day. Separate from their general budgets, these funds are allocated by state legislatures or ballot measures approved by voters, meaning that this funding is more protected from budget cuts.

The new report, State Strategies for Sustained Investment in Kids: A Landscape of Dedicated Funding, contains strategies designed to support advocates, policymakers, and community leaders in creating these types of dedicated funds to support young people in their own states. Based on the work already done in 21 states and the District of Columbia, this report offers guidance for sustainably funding programs from cradle to career, including as prenatal care, early childhood education, after-school programs, and other forms of support for children and youth from birth through age 24.

Download the report now for actionable insights and recommendations for developing sustainable supports in your state. Want to hear directly from advocates who have successfully created these kinds of funds? Watch a recent webinar from Children’s Funding Project to learn more.

Now more than ever, we recognize how crucial it is to advocate for the unique value and impact of OST) organizations and coordinated systems. Years of research show that afterschool programs increase school attendance, improve grades, and help young people develop essential life skills like communication, teamwork, and problem solving. According to a recent Afterschool Alliance survey, 92% of parents agree these programs provide vital opportunities to build life skills, and 74% say afterschool makes children more excited about learning and engaged in school.

However, as we know, many young people from lower-income families still lack access to quality programs. To address this gap, cities across the country are building coordinated afterschool systems. These systems bring together public agencies, private funders, businesses, schools, and program providers to share resources and create high-quality, engaging opportunities for youth.

The Wallace Foundation identifies four key elements that make afterschool systems successful:

• Committed leadership from mayors, school superintendents, families, and community stakeholders
• An established coordinating entity such as a public agency or nonprofit intermediary
• Effective use of data to inform decisions and improve programming
• A clear focus on program quality with shared standards and supports

By investing in these elements, cities can build sustainable afterschool systems that maximize the positive impact and return on investment for young people and their communities — and demonstrate their value.

Read the full Wallace Foundation article here: Why Do Afterschool Systems Matter?

Out-of-school-time (OST) programs are proving to be powerful tools in reversing chronic absenteeism. In a recent op-ed for Future Ed, Jodi Grant of the Afterschool Alliance, Emma Banay of Overdeck Family Foundation, and Hedy N. Chang of Attendance Works make a compelling case for centering OST in strategies to boost school attendance and engagement.

Drawing on both national research and local success stories, the authors highlight how high-quality OST programs help students reconnect with learning by making it exciting, hands-on, and relevant. They build trust, foster relationships with caring adults, and create a sense of belonging — all factors that increase the likelihood students will show up and stay engaged.

The impact is real. In Tulsa, students participating in afterschool or additional learning time were 43% less likely to be chronically absent. In Washington, D.C., participants in Horizons Greater Washington’s summer learning program not only made significant academic gains but also returned to school with better attendance than their peers.

Yet despite growing evidence of their effectiveness, many OST programs are on the chopping block under new federal funding policy and as states face budget pressures. Grant, Banay, and Chang argue that sidelining OST now would be a costly mistake and a missed opportunity to address a problem that affects millions of students and families.

Read the full op-ed to explore how OST programs are helping students return, recover, and thrive.

A recent report from The Wallace Foundation highlights the continued commitment of U.S. school districts to summer learning programs as a strategy to combat learning loss exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new report, Districts Continue to Invest in Summer Programs: Selected Findings from the American School District Panel, draws on survey data from approximately 200 districts in 2023 and 300 districts in 2024. The findings reveal that districts are increasingly prioritizing summer programs alongside tutoring to support students' academic recovery.

The study assesses the quality of these programs against indicators established by the National Summer Learning Project (NSLP), an initiative funded by The Wallace Foundation. The NSLP provides evidence-based recommendations for designing effective summer programs that combine academic instruction with enrichment activities.

Key insights from the report include:

• High-quality summer learning programs are among the top strategies employed by districts to address pandemic-related learning setbacks.
• Many programs align with NSLP's quality indicators, though opportunities for improvement remain, such as extending program duration and targeting students most in need.
• Districts anticipate funding challenges for summer 2025, underscoring the need for sustainable investment in these programs.

For a comprehensive understanding of the report's findings and recommendations, readers are encouraged to access the full report on The Wallace Foundation's website.

A recent report from The Wallace Foundation highlights the continued commitment of U.S. school districts to summer learning programs as a strategy to combat learning loss exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new report, Districts Continue to Invest in Summer Programs: Selected Findings from the American School District Panel, draws on survey data from approximately 200 districts in 2023 and 300 districts in 2024. The findings reveal that districts are increasingly prioritizing summer programs alongside tutoring to support students' academic recovery.

The study assesses the quality of these programs against indicators established by the National Summer Learning Project (NSLP), an initiative funded by The Wallace Foundation. The NSLP provides evidence-based recommendations for designing effective summer programs that combine academic instruction with enrichment activities.

Key insights from the report include:

• High-quality summer learning programs are among the top strategies employed by districts to address pandemic-related learning setbacks.
• Many programs align with NSLP's quality indicators, though opportunities for improvement remain, such as extending program duration and targeting students most in need.
• Districts anticipate funding challenges for summer 2025, underscoring the need for sustainable investment in these programs.

For a comprehensive understanding of the report's findings and recommendations, readers are encouraged to access the full report on The Wallace Foundation's website.

Supporting young people from cradle to career takes more than good intentions — it requires smart, sustainable funding. Recently, Elizabeth Gaines, founder of Children’s Funding Project, sat down with the Wallace Foundation to talk about her professional journey and discuss how communities can better invest in youth by leveraging public funding and policy to create lasting change.

At Children’s Funding Project, Gaines is dedicated to helping local leaders find and maximize funding for initiatives that support children and families. Through the interview, she shares success stories from across the country, but also notes that the ever-changing national funding landscape means that her work is never done.

Want to dig deeper into her insights and learn more about Children’s Funding Project? Read the full interview here.

The Afterschool Alliance, our strategic partner, has released six new resources designed to help you educate policymakers, community leaders, and other decision-makers on the importance of investing in afterschool programs. Check out the resources below:

Fact Sheet: Afterschool Programs Strengthen the Economy
This new fact sheet breaks down how afterschool programs benefit kids, support working families, save businesses money, and boost local economies.

Poll Results: Voters Say Afterschool Programs are a Necessity
These results find that public support for afterschool programs is at an all-time high. Whether Democratic, Independent, or Republican; rural, urban, or suburban; younger or older; voters agree that programs are an absolute necessity.

Issue Brief: How Afterschool Programs are Building School-Day Engagement and Improving Attendance
Chronic absenteeism has immediate and long-term impacts on student success and a disproportionate effect on historically marginalized students. This brief presents the scope of chronic absenteeism today and how afterschool programs support school-day attendance and engagement

Issue Brief: A Mix of Highs and Lows for Afterschool Program Providers
This survey data shows that the afterschool field is experiencing areas of improvement, such as a decrease in difficulties staffing programs, but struggles with overall funding and sustainability continue.

Issue Brief: 21st Century Community Learning Centers
The 21st Century Community Learning Center initiative is the only federal funding source dedicated exclusively to before-school, afterschool, and summer learning programs. This brief provides an updated overview of the initiative, highlighting its impact on student success, the activities and supports it offers, and the current state of funding.

Graphic: Afterschool Benefits Kids for Life
A new graphic illustrates key findings from "Organized Afterschool Activities as a Developmental Context for Children and Adolescents," a 26-year longitudinal study led by Deborah Vandell of the University of California, Irvine. This research affirms that afterschool programs have lasting benefits, helping kids become stronger learners, earners, and leaders into adulthood.

At the National Afterschool Association, we understand that chronic absenteeism is more than just missed school days — it is a critical barrier to student success and equity in our K–12 education system. Recent research, as highlighted in an Afterschool Alliance brief, underscores that high-quality afterschool programs are indispensable in addressing this pervasive challenge.

Chronic absenteeism disproportionately affects students who are already at risk, robbing them of vital learning opportunities and the sense of belonging that a school community provides. Afterschool programs offer a proven remedy by extending the reach of education beyond the traditional school day. These programs create safe, structured environments where students receive academic support, engage in enrichment activities, and build essential social-emotional skills. Such environments not only bolster academic performance but also help students cultivate the self-confidence and resilience necessary to overcome obstacles to regular attendance.

Evidence from the report indicates that schools partnering with robust afterschool programs experience notable improvements in student attendance and overall engagement. By offering tutoring, mentoring, and hands-on learning experiences, afterschool programs bridge the gap between classroom instruction and home life, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive.

At NAA, we advocate for increased investment and policy support for afterschool initiatives, including job quality for those who work in OST programs. Our OST Quality Connection framework underscores the relationship between high quality programs and positive youth outcomes, which in turn is predicated on workforce stability caused by increased job quality. By supporting funding for programs and for the employees who work in them, communities can provide the comprehensive support that every young person needs to succeed, thereby reducing chronic absenteeism and creating a more equitable education system. Together, educators, policymakers, and community stakeholders can harness the power of afterschool programming to keep students connected, motivated, and on the path to lifelong learning.