Building Bridges: Students, Families and Legislators for OST
June 4, 2025, 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Pennsylvania State Capitol
Join PSAYDN, out-of-school times professionals, advocates and youth at the State Capitol for Afterschool Advocacy Day! Build your advocacy skills and make new connections to support afterschool programs and professionals.
From Learning to Earning: Preparing Youth for Tomorrow's Workforce - Panel Discussion
Feb. 28, 8:30 a.m. | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
This engaging panel will explore how out-of-school time and afterschool programs can play a pivotal role in preparing students for future careers. Panelists, including industry leaders, workforce development experts, and educators, will share best practices for fostering essential skills, building career pathways, and connecting young people with opportunities in emerging job markets.
Interested in attending the Workforce Development Panel?
The panel will also focus on innovative ways to align programming with workforce trends, inspire career exploration, and establish meaningful partnerships with local businesses and mentors to empower youth to succeed in the modern economy.
Meet our panelists:
John Baker, Ph.D., Vice President of Operations, 21st Century Partnership for STEM Education
Mayada Christiansen, Senior Managing Director of Programs, Partner4Work
Amanda Taylor Gehman, Program Manager, Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center
Laura Fridirici, Career Readiness Advisor and Special Consultant to the Secretary for Career Readiness, Bureau of Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education
Amanda J. Smith, Director of K-12 Engagement Network, The Pennsylvania State University
Tim Heffernan, CEO, Founder, Innovation Institute for Tomorrow Inc. and the PA Rural Robotics Initiative
Join AfterSchool HQ for an engaging and informative live discussion on Grant Reporting and Impact Metrics—a must-attend session for youth program leaders, educators and nonprofit professionals looking to strengthen their impact and secure sustainable funding.
Discover how AfterSchool HQ, an innovative software platform, helps youth program providers streamline operations, track outcomes, and build sustainable, thriving organizations. This free professional development opportunity will bring together youth program leaders from across the country to discuss best practices, challenges and solutions for effective grant reporting and impact measurement.
✅ Learn how to track and showcase program impact to funders. ✅ Explore tools for efficient grant reporting and data collection. ✅ Gain insights from industry experts and fellow youth program leaders. ✅ Get an exclusive demo of AfterSchool HQ’s platform.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your program’s sustainability and connect with peers in the field!
Afterschool programs are life-changing, and we need YOUR help to ensure they continue to thrive in Pennsylvania!
🏫 OST providers – take a moment to contact your local legislators and share why you, your students, and your community LOVE your afterschool program! Let them know how OST programs provide safe spaces, academic support, and enrichment opportunities that shape the future of our youth.
💘 Special Valentine’s Day Action! 💘
This February, we’re asking you to send a Valentine to your legislators ❤️📩! Have your students create Valentine’s cards with messages about why they love their afterschool program. Snap a picture and send it to your representatives or tag them on social media! Let’s fill their inboxes with love and advocacy for OST!
Pennsylvania Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) is an initiative of Center for Schools and Communities, division of Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit
275 Grandview Avenue, Suite 200, Camp Hill,PA,17011
