Families 

Service Providers

Institute for Youth Development 

Professional Development Opportunities

A decade of research indicates that children and youth who regularly participate in quality afterschool and summer programs benefit in terms of their academic performance, social and emotional learning, and health and wellness. In addition, youth who participate in OST programs have improved school attendance, higher graduation rates, lower dropout rates, stronger academic performance, and improved positive behaviors and work habits.

The Value of Out-of-School Time Programs

To better understand the value and effectiveness of out-of-school-time (OST) programs, RAND researchers examined programs through the lenses of content, dosage (the hours of content provided), and outcomes measured, focusing on rigorous (i.e., experimental or quasi-experimental) large-scale evaluations and meta-analyses. The overall conclusion is that OST programs are generally effective at producing the primary outcomes that would be expected based on their programming. However, the primary benefits of such programs are often understudied or underreported. When making funding decisions, federal, state, and local governments and private foundations should consider all the benefits that programs provide to youth and families and emphasize program quality. Read the report here. 

OST Needs Assessment

What to Look For in an Afterschool Program

Afterschool Alliance released a guide to help families select the right afterschool program to accommodate the different academic, physical, and social-emotional needs of children (5-10), pre-teens and teens (10-14), and teenagers (14-18). Access this resource here.