July 23, 2025 Deadline to Submit RFP for DHS Out-of-School Time, Teen Programming is July 31 The deadline to submit an Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS) request for proposal (RFP) for additional out-of-school time and teen programming is Thursday, July 31. Learn More The DHS is seeking proposals from qualified proposers to provide on or both of the two following types of youth programming for the 2025-26 school year: Out-of-School Time Programming – The DHS is seeking up to three proposers for additional out-of-school time programs, which offer a safe place for students to go after their school day ends or during the summer. Teen Programming – The DHS is seeking up to three proposers for teen programming for creative programming that occurs outside of traditional school hours for school-age teens. Proposals must be submitted electronically on DHS’s Bonfire Portal by 3 p.m. on July 31. For more information, check out the DHS’s RFP.
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.
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.
May 7, 2025 APOST-Pitt Focus Group for Out-of-School Time Professionals The University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education and Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST) will host focus groups with regional out-of-school time professionals on the design phase for an upcoming project. Learn More Pitt Education and APOST are working to increase the capacity of out-of-school time staff and organizations in program evaluation. The two organizations will host focus groups with local out-of-school time providers to gather insights, identify challenges, and shape the design for a cohort of organizations to receive training and tools to strengthen their program evaluation. The input from the project will inform the creation of an evaluation toolkit that will be publicly available in summer 2026. Focus groups will be held on the following dates: May 21, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Homewood CEC (includes lunch at noon) May 21, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., Homewood CEC (includes lunch at noon) May 21, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., CoLab18 at Nova Place (includes dinner at 6 p.m.) Those interested in taking part in the Program Evaluation Cohort Focus Group should fill out an application.
April 29, 2025 OST Professionals Invited to Take Part in APOST-Pitt Focus Group Regional out-of-school time professionals who are currently evaluating programs for the upcoming year are invited to participate in focus groups on the design phase for an upcoming APOST and Pitt Education project. Learn More The University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education and Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST) are working to increase the capacity of out-of-school time staff and organizations in program evaluation. The two organizations will host focus groups in May with local out-of-school time providers to gather insights, identify challenges, and shape the design for a cohort of organizations to receive training and tools to strengthen their program evaluation. The input from the project will inform the creation of an evaluation toolkit that will be publicly available in summer 2026. Focus groups will be held on the following dates: May 7, 10:30 a.m. to noon, virtual May 21, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Homewood CEC (includes lunch at noon) May 21, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., Homewood CEC (includes lunch at noon) May 21, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., CoLab18 at Nova Place (includes dinner at 6 p.m.) Those interested in taking part in the Program Evaluation Cohort Focus Group should fill out an application.
April 14, 2025 National Afterschool Association to Celebrate Week Honoring Out-of-School-Hours Professionals The National Afterschool Association is celebrating Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week in late April to recognize those who work with young people during out-of-school hours. Learn More The week – which runs from April 21 to 25 – will be marked by celebrations, public relations, and advocacy efforts that encourage appreciation and support for afterschool professionals. According to the National Afterschool Association, approximately 7.8 million young people participate in afterschool programs annually in the United States. More than 850,000 afterschool professionals work with children during out-of-school hours but, the association notes, they are often not recognized or appreciated for their work. Research shows that afterschool programs result in increased social-emotional skills, school attendance, and academic performance, the association said. The association developed articles, flyers, and graphics in a press kit as part of its Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week celebration. Its suggestions on how to show appreciation during the week include: Posting on social media about how research shows that afterschool professionals make an impact on the lives of young people Giving a hand-written card to the afterschool professionals who work with your child Sending an email to an afterschool professional’s supervisor to describe why they are appreciated Making healthy or non-food treats for the staff at your child’s afterschool program For more information, visit the National Afterschool Association’s website celebrating Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week.
December 3, 2024 Nominate an Organization for the Engage Every Student Recognition Program Those who benefit from out-of-school time programs can nominate an organization for the 2024-25 Engage Every Student Recognition Program. Learn More In 2023, the U.S. Department of Education and partnering organizations designed the Engage Every Student Recognition Program in regard to the Engage Every Student initiative. The initiative’s aim is to ensure that every student who wants a spot in a high-quality out-of-school time program gets one. High-quality is defined as meeting students’ social, emotional, mental, and physical health as well as their academic needs. Out-of-school programs – which take place after the school day or outside of the regular school year – include everything from comprehensive afterschool or summer-learning and enrichment programs to vacation academies, work-based learning programs, youth development programs, and experiential or service-learning programs. Criteria For an organization to be eligible for a nomination, it must be a: Nonprofit organization working in collaboration with local education agencies City municipality or local government entity working in collaboration with local education agencies Local education agency working with a nonprofit organization or city/municipality or local government entity Additional criteria can be found on the Engage Every Student Recognition Program page. Those interested in nominating an organization must do so by Jan. 31. Eligible entities can self-nominate or be nominated.
October 18, 2023 Celebrate Lights On Afterschool Day 2023 On October 26, celebrate Lights On Afterschool Day. This is a nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families, and communities. About Lights On Afterschool This year, Governor Josh Shapiro has proclaimed that October 26 is Lights On Afterschool Day. The Afterschool Alliance has recorded that over half of students participate in afterschool programming across the nation. Therefore, they have organized the Lights On Afterschool campaign 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, Tae Kwon Do, and poetry—and discover new skills. This year they invite you to participate and host your own “Lights On” event. Events Happening in Pittsburgh: Dragon’s Den Tuesday, 10/24 | 3:30 – 5 p.m. 1008 Amity Street, Homestead, PA 15120 Family Resources/ BJWL Homewood Wednesday, 10/25 | 4 – 6 p.m. 10 Albertice Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Neighborhood Learning Alliance Wednesday, 10/25 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Arsenal K – 5, 215 39th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Woolslair K – 5, 501 40th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 Allegheny Youth Development Thursday, 10/26 | 4 – 7 p.m. 3530 Fleming Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Center That Cares Thursday, 10/26 | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. 2701 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Learn More Earthen Vessels Outreach Thursday, 10/26 | 4 – 6 p.m. 250 S. Pacific Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 Melting Pot Ministries Thursday, 10/26 | 3 – 6:30 p.m. 5811 Curry Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236 Register Neighborhood Learning Alliance Thursday, 10/26 | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Concord K – 5, 2350 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15210 Roosevelt Intermediate, 17 W. Cherryhill Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15210 Project Destiny Thursday, 10/26 | 4 – 6 p.m. Destiny of Faith Church, 3737 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Pittsburgh Manchester PreK – 8 School, 1612 Manhattan Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15233 Rankin Christian Center Thursday, 10/26 | 4 – 6:30 p.m. 230 Third Avenue, Rankin, PA 15104 SLB Radio Productions Thursday, 10/26 | 4 – 6 p.m. 10 Children’s Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 The Maker’s Clubhouse Thursday, 10/26 | 4 – 6 p.m. PPS – Lincoln, 238 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 PPS – Faison, 7430 Tioga Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 Youth Opportunities Development Thursday, 10/26 | 3 – 8 p.m. 501 Mitchell Avenue, Clairton, PA 15025 Assemble Friday, 10/27 | 4 – 6 p.m. 4824 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 Find Other Events Communities nationwide, including many in western Pennsylvania, are celebrating. Find local events online. For more information and the toolkit, visit the Lights On Afterschool webpage. Learn More About Afterschool Programs Afterschool programs or Out-of-School-Time (OST) programs offer countless benefits to the community and significantly impact students behaviorally and academically. In Allegheny County alone, there are over 180,000 students between the ages of 5-17 years old that are eligible to participate in these programs. That is why it is important to know about the programs that are operating in your community. To learn more, please visit the APOST event calendar.
July 7, 2023 2023 Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest Deadline Approaching The 2023 Lights On Afterschool poster contest will close on Monday, July 10 and interested individuals must enter their submissions before the midnight deadline. About the Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest Sponsored by the Afterschool Alliance, the 2023 Lights On Afterschool poster contest is a great opportunity for an afterschool program to gain national recognition for the opportunities it offers. With the winning submission printed on more than 50,000 posters, it will be seen at more than 8,000 Lights On Afterschool events around the world. Additionally, the winning artist will be featured on the Afterschool Alliance website and blog, as well as in a national press release, and their afterschool program receive a grand prize of $500. Closing on July 10, voting will take place July 11-13 on the Afterschool Alliance Facebook and Instagram pages, where followers can vote on the top five submissions. Rules and Guidelines Do: Submit any artwork that represents the spirit of afterschool programs. Submit either new or existing artwork. If your program has pre-made artwork celebrating afterschool, you can submit it. The artwork does not have to be created specifically for the Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest, but it must represent afterschool. Submit any of many kids of art (e.g. murals, paintings, graphics, etc.) Be creative! Think of the many ways your program has opened the doors to new opportunities for children. Also, look for artwork that can represent how afterschool staff has been an inspiration to children. Portray ideas in abstract or realistic renderings. Additionally, encourage students to use bright, bold markers, or paint to bring life to their images. Submit all physical artwork on 11 x 14 size paper. For digital submissions, make sure the artwork is in PDF format and is no larger than a 2 MB file with a DPI of 350. For higher resolution photos, email sgray@afterschoolalliance.org and request a link to our file transfer account. Don’t: Use a specific program name within the submission. If your artists do include the phrase Lights On Afterschool in their designs, make sure “afterschool” is written as one word, consistent with the national branding of the celebration. Submit a Poster To submit a poster, simply: Review the rules and guidelines to verify that you’re submission is eligible for contest entry. Complete the entry form. Either: Mail your completed entry form and physical poster submission to: Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest 1101 14th Street NW, Suite 700 Washington, D.C. 20005 OR Email your completed entry form and digital poster submission to: lightson@afterschoolalliance.org. Please note: Mailed submissions must be postmarked no later than Monday, July 10. Additionally, artwork sent via email must be in PDF format and no larger than 2 MB with a DPI of 350. For higher resolution photos, email sgray@afterschoolalliance.org and request a link to our file transfer account. Learn More To learn more, visit the Afterschool Alliance website. Source Information for this post was taken directly from the Afterschool Alliance website. Some text may have been added, paraphrased, or adapted for readability and comprehension. Related Content & Resources PSAYDN Accepting Applications for Afterschool Ambassadors Program 2023 Summer Reading Programs for Young Readers Allegheny County Family Resource Map Highlights Supports for Locals Updated: Summer Food Programs Offer Free Meals to Children Allegheny Afterschool Bridge to Learn ELRC Region 5
June 19, 2023 PSAYDN Accepting Applications for Afterschool Ambassadors Program The Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) is now accepting applications for its 2023-24 Pennsylvania Afterschool Ambassadors Program. The Pennsylvania Afterschool Ambassadors Program establishes a coalition of leaders who possess the necessary knowledge and experience to champion and advocate for high-quality, out-of-school time (OST) programs. Applications are due by Friday, July 14. About Afterschool Ambassadors Afterschool Ambassadors are part of a larger cohort who will engage with policymakers regarding support for the OST field in Pennsylvania. As ambassadors, participants will establish relationships with policymakers and OST providers statewide, and increase access to regional, state, and national OST experts. Additionally, they will actively contribute to the advancement of the OST field across Pennsylvania, and support and promote OST initiatives. Afterschool Ambassador Commitments participate in a 10-month training opportunity also participate in an in-person orientation in Harrisburg, PA on August 14-15, 2023 participate in the monthly trainings from September 2023 to May 2024 correspondingly share experience and knowledge with other Afterschool Ambassadors through presentations, discussions, and a capstone project conduct independent study and research to expand on the issues and pain points revealed in the program eventually participate in the 2023 Empower Conference and 2024 Afterschool Advocacy Day Afterschool Ambassador Incentives $250 participant stipend $250 travel and lodging stipend (available for participants more than 50 miles from Harrisburg, PA) parking reimbursement for August orientation Act 48 credit for trainings free registration to the 2023 Empower Conference Apply Interested individuals should apply using the online 2023-24 Pennsylvania Afterschool Ambassadors Program Application. Applications are due by Friday, July 14. Learn More Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee to ensure a diverse cohort, and prospective ambassadors will be notified on or after July 19. Those who are selected will be asked to sign a letter of agreement committing to fulfill the duties of an ambassador. To learn more, visit the PSAYDN website.
