On Jan. 16, 2025, at the Northeast Frankford Boys & Girls Club in Philadelphia, Lt. Governor Austin Davis announced the allocation of $11.6 million in grants through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency's (PCCD) Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) program.
A total of 46 grants were awarded to support afterschool programs aimed at providing structured activities for at-risk school-age youth across the state. The BOOST initiative, funded by the Shapiro-Davis Administration, seeks to enhance safety and educational opportunities for young Pennsylvanians by investing in programs that offer mentorship, academic support, and enrichment activities during out-of-school hours. Lt. Governor Davis emphasized that such investments are crucial for saving lives and building safer communities.
Afterschool Alliance sends memo to President-elect Trump’s Transition Team
The Afterschool Alliance sent a memorandum to its transition team, emphasizing the importance of afterschool and summer learning programs. The memo advocates for increased federal investment in the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program and suggests providing refundable tax deductions to parents for afterschool expenses. It also highlights the role of these programs in career and technical education, urging the new administration to prioritize school and community partnerships. Additionally, the memo recommends boosting funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant and incorporating afterschool programs into teacher recruitment strategies. These initiatives aim to ensure students receive comprehensive support beyond the classroom, aligning with the administration's goals of skill development and youth safety.
Addressing Chronic Absenteeism through Afterschool Programs
This issue brief highlights the critical role of afterschool programs in combating chronic absenteeism, a growing challenge affecting nearly 1 in 5 students nationwide. By providing engaging, supportive and safe environments, afterschool initiatives help improve school-day attendance and academic performance. The report underscores the impact of such programs on historically underserved students, offering real-world examples of success, including increased school engagement, mentorship opportunities, and enriched learning experiences. It calls for a collective effort to leverage afterschool programs as essential partners in addressing absenteeism and fostering long-term student success.
This summer, give high school girls and non-binary students a chance to jumpstart their futures, find a supportive community, and dive into tech with Girls Who Code’s Summer Programs! Their Summer Programs are open to all skill levels–novice to advanced coders can choose their own adventure with two rewarding program options.
Each year, high school students across the country start a journey to sharpen their skills through the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO). From visual arts and business to performing and culinary arts, participants work with community-based volunteers for a year to develop projects and performances. The experience culminates in local and national events where students compete for scholarships and other rewards.
Students of African descent who are U.S. citizens enrolled in grades 9-12 and are amateurs in the categories are eligible to participate. Students can apply through their local NAACP branch.
The student application for the 2025 Harrisburg NAACP ACTSO competition, which will be held Saturday, April 12, 2025, is available! The goal this year is to have 100 students participate in the local competition. All Harrisburg student applications should be emailed to pgadsden@comcast.net or mailed to Life Esteem, 900 S. Arlington Ave., Suite 221B, Harrisburg, PA 17109.
Students are chosen from the local competitions to participate in the annual national ACT-SO competition .
The Learning Lamp’s "Best Day Ever!" Program Expands Resources for OST Providers
To address staffing shortages and rising costs in child care and OST programs, The Learning Lamp developed Best Day Ever!, offering free, easy-to-use lesson plans aligned with PA Academic and Early Learning standards. Since 2023, these resources have supported nearly 1,000 providers across 60 counties, benefiting over 98,000 children.
The January 2025 winter update introduces 10 new Kids’ Day Out and 10 new After School lesson plans.
In exchange for free access to Best Day Ever!, The Learning Lamp invites participating organizations to provide feedback and recommendations through a survey for each lesson they use. When a survey is completed, the user will be automatically entered into a drawing to win one of two $100 Amazon gift cards at the end of season.
2025 ELO and EMPOWER Pennsylvania Out-of-School Time Conference
2025 Extra Learning Opportunities and EMPOWER Pennsylvania Out-of-School Time Conference, Strengthening OST Professionals with Promising Practices and Proven Strategies, is a unique opportunity for out-of-school time professionals to deepen their knowledge, network, and stay up to date with best practices and innovative solutions in their field.
This year, we are bringing together the best of both conferences to create a comprehensive and enriching experience for administrators, educators, program staff, industry partners and other professionals passionate about enriching their students’ lives through OST programming.
The conference is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSADYN) and Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, and held in collaboration with Center for Schools and Communities.
Reduce Expulsion and Suspension with Socially and Emotionally Centered Practices
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 10-11 a.m. | Virtual
Expulsion and suspension are complex issues that affect many children and families. Understanding the data related to the expulsion and suspension of young children and the impacts on children and families is critical in turning these challenges into solution-oriented practices. Join us to explore socially and emotionally focused practices and strategies that support the reduction of expulsion and suspension and build child and family-centered pathways for positive child outcomes.
Get your team set up for success year-round with our comprehensive checklist! This essential resource covers everything from menu planning and production records to point-of-service efficiency, family communications, and proactive strategies for managing meal debt. Simplify your operations and ensure daily support for student success with this go-to guide.
Join the HEPA Pilot Project Webinar: Supporting Healthier Out-of-School Programs and discover how the HEPA Pilot Project helps out-of-school programs enhance their policies and practices to encourage healthier snacks and increased physical activity for kids.
The HEPA pilot project exists to support out-of-school programs to improve policies and practices to help children eat healthier snacks and to move more. In the webinar, attendees will learn about the HEPA Project, including web-based asynchronous professional development events, resources and strategies through the Out-of-School Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative (OSNAP), and technical assistance through the Pennsylvania Key and state Department of Health.
The Growing Emphasis on Social and Emotional Learning in Schools
Social and emotional learning (SEL) continues to gain traction in K-12 education, particularly at the high school level, despite facing opposition in some states and communities. According to a 2024 survey by RAND and CASEL, 83% of principals reported implementing SEL curricula or programs, a significant increase from 73% in 2021-22 and 46% in 2017-18.
The Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) now has FAFSA-only hours on evenings and weekends to provide FAFSA form support to students and families. The expanded hours extend through March 2, 2025. Students and families can reach agents at the FSAIC in English or in Spanish. Information on requesting interpretation services in additional languages can be accessed at StudentAid.gov/interpreter.
PHEAA Statewide Virtual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) Completion Workshop
Feb. 19, 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.
Join us for virtual one-on-one assistance during our FAFSA Completion Workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 19. We offer four 30-minute sessions from 5:00 to 7:00 PM (ET). Registration is only required for one family member, if you will be using the same device. If you plan to use two devices in two different locations, you can share the meeting link with other family members who need to join at their location.
Are you working with middle school youth? The New York Life Foundation's 2025 Aim High grant competition is now accepting applications! With a total of $1.8 million in funding available, 30 grants will be awarded to afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs that serve middle school youth in under-resourced communities. Grants will be awarded basedon a program’s success in helping youth transition to ninth grade and providing strong academic, social, and emotional supports. Eligible programs can apply for grants of either $20,000 or $100,000. Explore the opportunities and find the grant category that aligns with your program’s mission and goals today!
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
