PSAYDN and 21st CCLC Successfully Host Statewide OST Conference
The Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN), in collaboration with the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) project, proudly hosted the 22025 ELO and EMPOWER Pennsylvania Out of School Time Conference, Feb. 26 – 28. This highly anticipated event brought together a dynamic mix of educators, afterschool and OST providers, policymakers, and community stakeholders, all committed to advancing high-quality programming and opportunities for youth across Pennsylvania.
Artwork provided by Dafmark Dance Theater - 21CCLC Cohort 11
With 346 attendees, the conference provided an essential space for learning, networking, and collaboration. Participants engaged in 58 thought-provoking sessions, led by 65 expert speakers who shared their insights on critical topics such as:
STEM Education – Expanding hands-on learning opportunities and aligning with Pennsylvania’s STEELS standards.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) – Strategies to foster resilience, emotional intelligence, and well-being in youth.
Youth Workforce Readiness – Equipping young people with the skills and experiences needed for future careers.
Beyond the engaging sessions, the event also featured 20 exhibitors who provided valuable resources and tools to support afterschool programs. The conference’s success was further amplified by the generous support of five sponsors, whose contributions ensured a high-quality experience for all participants.
PSAYDN and 21st CCLC remain dedicated to strengthening the OST landscape in Pennsylvania, and this conference was a testament to the power of collaboration and shared learning. We extend our gratitude to all who participated and look forward to continuing these important conversations throughout the year.
Stay Connected! If you missed this year’s event, be sure to follow PSAYDN for updates on upcoming training opportunities, resources, and next year’s conference details!
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Continued Changes at Department of Education as Layoffs Announced
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Afterschool Alliance is lifting up youth perspectives. Join us in elevating youth voices and the role of afterschool and summer programs in providing youth with opportunities to lead and grow.
With federal budget cuts looming, it's particularly important to connect with our representatives in Congress and show them the power of afterschool.
Get featured on the Afterschool Alliance site! Each day of Youth Voice Week we will publish a guest blog submitted by a program or youth. Your submission can be an existing piece; no need to create something new! Selected pieces will be published on the Afterschool Snack, and promoted on our social feed and our weekly newsletter.
2024-25 National School Bus Safety Week Poster Contest
Submission deadline: April 18
Calling all young artists! The 2024-25 National School Bus Safety Week Poster Contest is now open, inviting students to create posters that highlight this year’s theme: "Safety First - Safety Always." This competition is open to students from Kindergarten through 8th grade, as well as special education students and those using Computer-aided Drawing (CAD). Winners at the state level will advance to the national contest. The poster creation period runs from Oct. 1, 2024, to April 1, 2025, with state submissions due by April 18.
The 2025 Kindness Games, hosted by the Values-in-Action Foundation, is a national competition encouraging schools to promote kindness among students. Running from February to April 18, schools can participate by tracking and submitting acts of kindness performed by students. The top schools with the most logged kind acts will be eligible for prizes. First place is $5,000, second place is $2,500 and third place is $1,000. This initiative fosters a positive school culture and is open to schools looking to engage youth in meaningful, character-building activities.
Consistent attendance is the cornerstone of thriving afterschool programs. This interactive workshop, facilitated by Jim Coughenour of Steps To Achieve, will provide actionable strategies to increase student participation by building stronger connections with students, families, and the community.
Participants will gain practical tools and insights to:
Identify and address common barriers to attendance with proactive solutions.
Analyze attendance data and trends to inform decision-making.
Strengthen family and community engagement to foster collaboration and commitment.
Design welcoming, engaging, and student-centered programs using evidence-based practices proven to encourage consistent attendance.
Walk away from this session with ready-to-implement ideas to boost attendance, deepen engagement, and ensure the long-term success of your afterschool program.
Building Pathways, Partnerships & Future-Ready Youth
Wednesday, April 2, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Virtual
Penn State is shaping the future of education by fostering meaningful partnerships, hands-on learning experiences, and innovative pathways for youth engagement. Through 377+ youth programs, and collaborations with schools, community organizations, and initiatives, we are preparing students to be adaptable, forward-thinking, and ready for anything.
This webinar will explore:
✅ How Penn State’s youth programs impact 30,000+ students annually, offering immersive learning experiences.
✅ The Readiness Institute’s mission to empower youth to thrive in their communities and future workforce.
✅ The Global Impact Forum High School Student Spotlight connecting students’ innovation and ideas with global leaders.
✅ The Penn State K12 Sustainability Summit, where educators collaborate with experts to drive solutions for a more sustainable future.
✅ The impact of Remake Learning Days, a celebration of creativity, exploration, and discovery that empowers youth and educators.
Whether you're an educator, school leader, or out of school time leader, discover how we can collaborate to build sustainable learning ecosystems that empower students to explore, create, and lead in a rapidly evolving world.
Join us for a virtual session introducing RISE, a ready-to-use, five-week curriculum designed to boost ELA and Math outcomes for K–8 students in out-of-school time (OST) settings. RISE offers OST educators high-quality instructional materials, targeted professional development, and built-in pre- and post-assessments to identify learning gaps and measure student progress. Backed by third-party research, RISE has shown impressive results—students gained the equivalent of 4–5 additional weeks of learning, while English Language Learners (ELLs) saw gains of 7–8 weeks compared to peers. In summer 2024 alone, RISE supported more than 38,000 students across 105 community-based organizations (CBOs) and 350 school districts nationwide.
Whether you're looking to enhance academic enrichment or align with Pennsylvania’s learning standards, this session will provide a practical overview of how RISE can elevate your summer and afterschool programming.
Gain an in-depth look at the effects of trauma on school-aged children and receive practical strategies for incorporating a trauma-informed lens into social and emotional (SEL) and behavioral approaches. The webinar will be divided into two segments: one focusing on K-4th grade and the other on 5th-8th grade. In each segment, we will explore risk and protective factors for trauma, as well as how trauma presents itself in children and youth. Together, we will enhance our SEL toolkits by discussing strategies that foster resilience and create opportunities for growth, both for the students and within the broader educational community.
Shifting Our Focus from Mandating Reporting to Mandated Supporting
Wednesday, March 25, 2 p.m. | Virtual
In this crucial webinar, we’ll explore efforts to shift from mandated reporting to supporting. The vast majority of Child Protective Services (CPS) hotline calls are not deemed appropriate for investigation and even fewer actually result in open cases. Understand the importance of connecting children and families with appropriate resources before making potentially harmful hotline calls.
Gain valuable insights into how we can identify potential biases in our decision-making, locate local resources, and learn more about advocacy efforts happening across the country to change mandated reporting laws. This webinar is essential for social workers, educators, law enforcement officers, child welfare professionals, and anyone committed to child and family well-being.
Well-being and Well-becoming Through the Arts: Centering Culture and Community in Youth Arts Programs
Monday, March 31, 3 p.m. | Virtual
Join a thought-provoking discussion on how culture-centered, community-based youth arts (CCYA) programs create spaces where young people feel seen, heard, and valued. This session will explore how CCYA programs foster well-being, belonging, and personal growth through the arts, featuring insights from a new report by the University of Pittsburgh and the Forum for Youth Investment. Learn from teaching artists and program providers about key characteristics of effective youth arts programs and how to strengthen support for them. Whether you're a practitioner, researcher, or policymaker, this session offers valuable takeaways to enhance youth arts initiatives. Register to attend live or receive the recording afterward!
Looking for a fun way to help youth spread kindness and gratitude? This engaging calendar, covering August 2024 – July 2025, is packed with ideas to encourage thoughtful actions and meaningful connections every day. Let’s make the year brighter—one kind act at a time!
Spark curiosity and excitement with seven incredible virtual field trips! Whether exploring the wonders of science, history, or nature, these adventures bring learning to life—no permission slips required!
A new Learning Policy Institute report highlights how nine states are successfully expanding high-quality summer learning programs through targeted funding, strategic policy initiatives, and data-driven improvements. Discover how state policies are shaping the future of summer learning and what lessons can be applied to local efforts.
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
