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News

April 1, 2026

UnConference: Authentic Engagement in Out-of-School Time Programs

Trying Together, in partnership with APOST, will host UnConference: Authentic Engagement in Out-of-School Time Programs on Thursday, June 11 at the Boys & Girls Club of Western PA.

This UnConference is intended to be a collaborative, interactive approach to high-quality summer programming for school-age children. The audience will be educators, staff, and administrators working with children in summer programs; engaged parents and caregivers; and early childhood education and out-of-school-time advocates.

There will also be an add-on option for those interested in taking part in a First Aid/CPR training on June 10 (with an additional fee).

More information and registration coming soon!

Details

UnConference: Out-of-School Time

  • Thursday, June 11
  • 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  • Boys & Girls Club of Western PA
  • $25 (Registration is required)

 UnConference: Out of School Time + First Aid/CPR Training Add-on

  • First Aid/CPR Training: Wednesday, June 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • UnConference: Thursday, June 11 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Boys & Girls Club of Western PA
  • $60 (registration is required)

About UnConference

The UnConference is an innovative, hands-on professional development training format in which a deeper experience is provided around a particular theme. Local and national speakers are invited to present and participants are encouraged to engage hands on in the workshops.

The day concludes with a roundtable discussion on how to apply these experiences and ideas in the early childhood environment and share ideas on how to partner with new colleagues.

Thank You To Our Sponsors and Partners

A huge thank you to our series sponsor PNC Grow Up Great and workshop partner APOST.

 

News

March 11, 2026

UnConference: Out of School Time

Trying Together, in partnership with APOST, will host UnConference: Out of School Time on Thursday, June 11 at the Boys & Girls Club of Western PA.

The UnConference, which will be sponsored by PNC Grow Up Great, is intended to be a collaborative, interactive approach to high-quality summer programming for school-age children. The audience will be educators, staff, and administrators working with children in summer programs; engaged parents and caregivers; and early childhood education and out-of-school-time advocates.

There will also be an add-on option for those interested in taking part in a First Aid/CPR training on June 10. This option will cost more than just attending the UnConference.

Registration will open soon for the UnConference. More information on workshops for the event will also be available soon.

Trying Together’s Save the Date is available to print. Sign up for UnConference reminders.

Details

UnConference: Out of School Time

  • Thursday, June 11
  • 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  • Boys & Girls Club of Western PA
  • $25

Add-On: First Aid/CPR Training + UnConference: Out of School Time

  • First Aid/CPR Training: Wednesday, June 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • UnConference: Thursday, June 11 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Boys & Girls Club of Western PA
  • $60

News

January 2, 2026

Allegheny County Announces New Out-of-School-Time Programs Dashboard

The Allegheny County Department of Children Initiatives (DCI) has created a new Out-of-School Time (OST) Programs Dashboard to explore the locations of OST programs in the county.

Learn More

The interactive tool, which was developed in partnership with RAND and made possible with funding from the McElhattan Foundation,  is intended to make data and information supporting children more available. 

The tool allows users to explore the locations of OST programs throughout Allegheny County and relate these to other features, such as schools, public transportation, youth population, and community needs.

Using the Tool

The tool’s filters are available using selectors on the website’s top right-hand corner that display programs based on certain features, such as their location on school property, program type, by community level of need, and/or municipality. 

The tool’s Select a School District Boundary feature helps to focus the map and display both OST programs and schools within the district’s boundary.

The map’s More Tools menu provides additional features that allow users to search the map by address, toggle feature layers, and change the basemap.

Map Popups show more information based on the selected layer – for example, OST Programs, Community Need Index, and Youth Population provide detailed, unique information when visualized in the Layers tool.

All filters can be reset by selecting the Reset Arrow on the bottom right that appears after a filter is applied. Selecting the reset button returns the dashboard to its default settings and position. 

To search for out-of-school-time programs in your community, check out the OST Programs Dashboard.

News

December 10, 2025

APOST Releases Spring Professional Development Calendar

Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time has released its schedule of professional development workshops for the spring.

Learn More

The organization will offer 13 workshops that run from January through April. Registration is required for each workshop and closes three days prior to a session or when the course is full.

Each workshop takes about two-and-a-half to three hours and locations vary. Location details are listed on the registration page for each workshop.

For workshops that take place at CoLab18, APOST will provide parking validation for attendees who park in the Nova Place garage.

In the event of low registration, Weikart workshops may be cancelled and advance notice will be provided.

APOST’s spring professional development calendar includes the following workshops:

For more information, visit APOST’s spring professional development offerings website.

News

October 13, 2025

Applications for APOST Managers Consort Due By Oct. 21

Those interested in taking part in Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time’s 2025-26 managers consort must submit an application by Tuesday, October 21.

Learn More

The program is aimed at new out-of-school time program managers looking to gain knowledge and skills that will help them to be more effective within their own organization. The consort will also include discussion on how to advance professionally within the out-of-school time field.

The learning consort will run from November through April and include 15 people who identify as new managers within out-of-school time programs. It will consist of several sessions, including a closing celebration.

The sessions will be a mix of in-person and virtual and will cover a variety of topics. The consort’s expected time commitment is approximately 30 hours, which includes time spent on homework assigned between sessions. The assignments are estimated to take up no more than one hour per month.

All participants will deliver a five-minute presentation at the closing celebration about their OST impact project, which is due at the culmination of the project. 

Session topics will include:

  • Overview and community building
  • Leadership, management, and coaching
  • Program evaluation
  • Crafting impactful stories
  • Nonprofit financial management and fundraising 101

Those interested in applying must do so no later than 5 p.m. on October 21.

News

September 30, 2025

APOST to Sponsor OST Professional in TALI’s Emerging Leaders Program

Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST) announced that it will sponsor one out-of-school time (OST) professional to participate in The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI)’s Emerging Leaders Program.

Learn More

The program addresses the needs of rising Black leaders and their allies by using the pillars of academic instruction, alumni mentoring, and peer networking to hone the skills professionals who are growing in the leadership phase of their career need to move into higher levels of management, successfully navigate challenges they may encounter, and support their ascent up the organizational ladder.

Candidates may include strong individual contributors with supervisory aspirations and those in managerial positions. Applicants must have a minimum of three to five years of professional work experience in corporate, nonprofit, government, or entrepreneurial sectors. A bachelor’s degree or five years of additional, equivalent, and relevant experience is required.

The program’s sessions are held once a month on a consecutive half-day Friday (noon to 5 p.m.) and half-day Saturday (8 a.m. to noon) from January through June. All sessions are held in person on the Carnegie Mellon University campus. 

The deadline to apply is Oct. 15. Those interested can apply online. 

News

September 3, 2025

Deadline to Apply for APOST’s Lights On Afterschool Mini-Grant is Sept. 23

Those interested in applying for Allegheny Partners for Out of School Time’s (APOST) Lights on Afterschool 2025 mini-grants must do so by Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Learn More

Celebrating its 25th year, Lights on Afterschool is a nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families, and communities. The program is meant to draw attention to the many ways afterschool programs support students by offering them opportunities to learn new things – such as science, community service, robotics, poetry, Tae Kwon Do, and other new skills.

APOST celebrates Lights on Afterschool by awarding mini-grant funds to local out-of-school time programs to showcase their work and share the importance of their mission.

The deadline to apply for APOST’s mini-grants is 5 p.m. on Sept. 23. To be eligible, organizations must be located within Allegheny County and qualify as a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

A maximum of one award will be given per event or project.

Mini-grant requirements include:

  • Events or projects must take place within the week of Monday, Oct. 20 to Friday, Oct. 24.
  • Events or projects must be submitted to the Lights on Afterschool Directory by Monday, Oct. 13.
  • At least one photo of the event or project must be sent to APOST to be shared publicly. 

Providers chosen for the grant will receive $500 to implement a Lights On Afterschool-inspired event or project. APOST staff may attend the event or participate in a project where possible, and chosen events or projects will have a chance to be spotlighted in the News You Can Use newsletter or on the APOST website.

For more information, visit APOST’s Lights On Afterschool web page.

News

August 5, 2025

APOST Announces Professional Development Courses for Fall

Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST) has released its list of professional development course offerings for the fall.

Learn More

All of APOST’s fall workshops take approximately two-and-a-half to three hours and locations vary. Registration is required for all courses and closes three days prior to an event or when a session is full.

In the event of low registration, Weikart Workshops may be cancelled. Advance notice will be provided.

For workshops that take place at CoLab18, APOST will provide parking validation for attendees who park in the Nova Place garage. 

SEL Series

Participants are encouraged to complete a full set of SEL (Social & Emotional Learning) Youth Work Methods Workshops, a new series this season from The Forum for Youth Investment.

It is recommended to register for and take all three workshops in a single season because they build off one another. All three workshops are offered this fall.

More information about the SEL series is available online.

Fall Lineup

The complete lineup of courses that APOST will offer this fall includes:

  • Ask-Listen-Encourage (Thursday, Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at AIU)
  • Foundations & Self Awareness of Social Development (SEL Series) (Friday, Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at AIU)
  • Reframing Conflict (Thursday, Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Homewood CEC)
  • Foundations & Self Awareness of Social Development (SEL Series) (Friday, Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CoLab18)
  • Reframing Conflict (Thursday, Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at CoLab18)
  • Fostering Teamwork (SEL Series) (Friday, Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CoLab18)
  • Planning & Reflection (Thursday, Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at CoLab18)
  • Structure & Clear Limits (Friday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at CoLab18)
  • Youth Voice (Thursday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at CoLab18)
  • Promoting Responsibility & Leadership (SEL Series) (Friday, Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CoLab18)

News

July 23, 2025

APOST Seeking Presenters in Southwest PA to Facilitate OST Workshops

Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST) is seeking presenters from Southwest Pennsylvania to facilitate workshops on topics relating to out-of-school time (OST) for its 2025 conference.

Learn More

The conference, which will be held in partnership with the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, will be held on Monday, Sept. 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, located at 475 E. Waterfront Drive in Homestead.

APOST is currently looking for local presenters who are interested in facilitating one-hour workshops on any OST-related topic through the lens of or in connection to “partnerships in OST.” These can include:

  • Interactive learning experiences that are creative in their engagement of the audience
  • What an organization has to offer as a partner to OST organizations (and how the organization has worked in partnerships with others)
  • Multiple organizations presenting together or leading a panel discussion on partnerships in action

The deadline to submit a topic is 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 4. All submitters will be contacted and notified whether their proposed workshop was selected by Aug. 11. APOST will offer a $400 honoraria per workshop.

Workshop topics can be submitted online.

News

June 26, 2025

APOST Strategic Plan to Provide Support to Out-of-School Time Providers

A new strategic plan developed by Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST) will provide providers of out-of-school time programs in Allegheny County with more focused support.

Learn More

The recently completed plan positions APOST to both strengthen and celebrate the valuable work of the county’s out-of-school time providers. The strategic plan for 2025-27 involves three priorities: to improve awareness and support of out-of-school time, to support the organizational strength of its providers, and to professionalize the out-of-school time workforce.

“Our vision is that every young person in Allegheny County will have access to high-quality out-of-school time learning opportunities,” said Karen Dreyer, APOST’s executive director. “We know that the learning that goes on outside of the school day contributes to educational and social benefits for young people, their families, and the larger community. We also know that availability and quality of such programs are not consistent throughout the county.”

Out-of-school time is a valuable part of the educational and workforce development ecosystems, providing positive youth outcomes through safe, creative spaces for young people to learn during the hours out of school. APOST’s role is to be a convener, connector, and collaborator with out-of-school time providers focusing on school-aged youth in Allegheny County.

Kathryn Vargas, APOST’s board president, said APOST can affect policies and funding, program quality standards, and the professional growth of workers in the field. She said the plan will keep APOST focused on sustainability and growth of out-of-school time providers in the county.

“As we developed the plan, we recognized that many people don’t understand what out-of-school time really is or the contributions these programs make to students, families, and communities,” said Dr. Robert Scherrer, chairman of APOST’s strategic planning committee. “Our first objective is to develop a shared understanding of the definition and value of both out-of-school time and APOST.”

APOST has long focused on professional development opportunities for both leaders and front-line workers in out-of-school time programs. For the current year, it also plans to implement professional development initiatives that will elevate program excellence.

The strategic plan was developed by APOST staff, board members, and stakeholders over a period of seven months. More information on the plan can be found on the organization’s website.