New Pennsylvania Summer and Afterschool Data Highlights Need for OST Investment and Access
New summer learning and afterschool data from the Afterschool Alliance America After 3PM Dashboard highlights the continued demand for affordable, high-quality summer and afterschool programs across Pennsylvania. These programs support academic success, youth well-being, workforce readiness, STEM learning, and working families.
The site also includes downloadable Pennsylvania fact sheets and resources that can support advocacy, community awareness, grant writing, and stakeholder engagement, including:
Philadelphia Youth Network (PYN) recently hosted an engaging “Shark Tank”-style entrepreneurship event as part of its afterschool programming, providing young people with the opportunity to pitch innovative business ideas and strengthen their presentation, communication, and problem-solving skills. Students from seven afterschool programs showcased their creativity and entrepreneurial thinking while receiving feedback and encouragement from community leaders and judges. The event highlighted the importance of career-connected learning experiences that prepare youth for future workforce opportunities and inspire confidence, leadership, and innovation.
Join Pick Up Pennsylvania and the Greatest American Cleanup in Honor of America’s 250th Anniversary
We invite residents across the Commonwealth to help showcase Pennsylvania at its best by registering for Pick Up Pennsylvania. Registration is open! Events can include litter and illegal dump cleanups, community greening and beautification, special collections, and anti-litter education events.
Events must be registered to receive free cleanup supplies. As an added incentive, submit your event's before and after photos to Pennsylvania Resources Council’s Lens on Litter for a chance to win $500!
A new report from The Wallace Foundation highlights the importance of listening to young people when designing out-of-school time programs. Youth identified barriers such as cost, transportation, and experiences of discrimination that can limit participation. They also emphasized the value of programs that foster belonging, leadership, skill-building, and connections to their interests and future goals.
The findings reinforce that youth voice is essential to creating inclusive, engaging, and equitable afterschool and summer learning opportunities.
A new Pennsylvania report highlights child care as a key workforce and economic development strategy. Access to affordable, high-quality child care helps parents remain employed, supports business recruitment and retention, and strengthens the Commonwealth’s economy. The report calls for continued investments and partnerships to expand child care access and support working families.
5 AI Moves School Leaders Should Make Before Next School Year
A recent GovTech article encourages education leaders to move beyond AI experimentation and focus on improving student outcomes. Key recommendations include starting with educational challenges rather than technology tools, building AI as an organizational competency, creating clear governance and implementation plans, investing in staff capacity, and ensuring AI efforts are aligned with teaching and learning goals.
Schools Are Banning AI. Students Are Using It Anyway.
New research highlighted by Psych of Tech finds that AI use among teens is growing rapidly, regardless of school policies. Roughly two-thirds of teens report using AI for schoolwork, and usage rates are similar in schools with AI bans and those without. The study also found that parents significantly underestimate how often their children use AI.
New Federal AI Priorities Create Opportunities for Afterschool Programs
The U.S. Department of Education has finalized new priorities on advancing artificial intelligence (AI) in education, opening the door for future grant opportunities that support AI literacy, computer science education, educator training, digital citizenship, career pathways, and personalized learning. While afterschool programs were not specifically named, the Department affirmed that out-of-school time services may be included in grant-funded projects where allowable. The new priorities position afterschool and summer learning programs as important partners in preparing youth for an AI-driven future.
Elementary school libraries are increasingly serving as STEM launchpads, offering hands-on learning experiences that foster creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. Through makerspaces, coding activities, and design challenges, libraries are helping students explore STEM concepts in engaging and accessible ways.
Federal Investments Are Reshaping the STEM Workforce
A recent STEMconnector analysis highlights how federal investments in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, defense, semiconductor production, and AI are driving unprecedented demand for STEM talent. As workforce needs evolve, the report emphasizes the importance of career-connected learning, employer partnerships, and STEM education pathways that prepare young people for emerging careers.
A new resource from the Afterschool Alliance and Youth Service America helps young people apply STEM skills to solve real-world community challenges. The guide combines STEM learning, leadership, and civic engagement, empowering youth to become problem-solvers and changemakers in their communities.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, with funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), is seeking civic and environmental leaders in 10th -12th grade to keep Pennsylvania clean and beautiful through the Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania program.
The Young Ambassadors program empowers young community stewards and civic leaders to become ambassadors in their community for a shared vision of a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania. Ambassadors will have the opportunity to train and network with industry leaders, state agencies, local media and the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful network, and will receive a taste of life in the public service sector.
Applicants should be passionate about the environment and committed to protecting Pennsylvania’s natural beauty and environmental health through volunteerism and leadership.
Applications are being accepted through June 10. Students will be chosen through a competitive application process. Students interested in applying should visit keeppabeautiful.org or contact Kylie McCutcheon at 724-836-4121 x114 or kmccutcheon@keeppabeautiful.org.
Beyond the Talent Pipeline: The Hidden Benefits of Youth Apprenticeships
A new New America report highlights four often-overlooked benefits of youth apprenticeship programs for employers. Beyond developing future talent, employers reported increased employee engagement and workplace morale, stronger leadership and mentoring skills among staff, improved training and onboarding systems, and greater collaboration across teams. The findings suggest that youth apprenticeships are not only a workforce development strategy but also a powerful tool for strengthening organizational culture and employee growth.
Every Hour Counts Virtual Conference: Charting a Path Forward in Changing Times
June 10, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. ET and June 11, 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. ET | Virtual
In a moment defined by rapid change, our collective strength matters more than ever. Young people are navigating economic insecurity, shifting policies, and an uncertain world — while organizations face funding pressures and political headwinds. This conference is about coming together to share what's working, build on each other's knowledge, and move forward as one field, with one voice.
Building HOPE: The Power of Positive Childhood Experiences
June 23, 2026, 10 a.m. – noon | Virtual
Many professionals who support children and families are trained to identify challenges, risks, and barriers.
Those are important conversations. But what if we also asked:
What positive experiences can we help create?
Join us for "Building HOPE: The Power of Positive Childhood Experiences" to explore practical strategies that can be integrated into existing programs, services, and support practices.
This session is designed for:
Healthcare and behavioral health professionals
Home visiting and parenting support programs
Social workers and case managers
Children and youth agency professionals
Early childhood and family support professionals
Participants will learn how to:
Build Positive Childhood Experiences into everyday moments.
Foster supportive relationships and meaningful connections.
Create environments where children and families feel safe, valued, and supported.
Apply the four Building Blocks of HOPE in their work with children, youth, and families.
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Community Youth Organization (CYO) Coach Course
Sept. 22-23 | Camp Hill, PA
Training for Community Youth Organizations (CYO) equips youth-serving organizations with practical, evidence-based strategies to prevent bullying, reduce bullying incidents, and strengthen peer relationships in out-of-school settings.
The CYO Coach Course prepares youth program leaders to effectively train and support their organizations in implementing Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP).
Career Opportunity: Director of Human Services, Allegheny County
Allegheny County is seeking a visionary and equity-focused leader to serve as the next Director of the Department of Human Services (DHS). The position oversees one of the nation’s most respected human services systems, with responsibility for strategic leadership, data-driven decision-making, community partnerships, and the management of more than 1,300 staff. The role offers an opportunity to shape policies and services that impact children, youth, families, older adults, and vulnerable populations across the region.
PDE Connections Corner: Resources for Safe and Supportive Learning Environments
The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Connections Corner serves as a central hub connecting schools, families, and community partners with resources focused on school climate, student well-being, mental health, bullying prevention, school safety, equity and inclusion, and career-ready skills. The resource supports collaborative efforts to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments where all students can thrive.
STEM Next has released new family resources to help parents and caregivers talk with children about artificial intelligence. The guides provide practical tips for understanding what AI is, how it is used in everyday life, and how it may impact future careers. The resources encourage families to focus on critical thinking, responsible AI use, and exploring how technology can support learning and career readiness.
The William Penn Foundation will release six new RFPs on June 17. In advance, we are sharing registration details for informational webinars on each RFP. The live 45-minute webinars will review key information from the RFP packet including details about funding eligibility, the application and review process, and the timeline for each opportunity, with time to ask questions of our program staff. (Attendance at webinars has no impact on your ability to apply or be considered for funding).
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
