News

May 5, 2026

Allegheny County Executive Announces Expanded Access to Child Care, OST Programs

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato recently announced a new initiative to strengthen stability, opportunity, and quality of life for working families in the county by expanding access to child care and out-of-school time (OST) programs.

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As part of the coordinated Forward with Families initiative, the county has a goal of creating 5,000 new slots over the next five years.

Led by the Allegheny County Department of Children Initiatives, the expansion of slots will focus on increasing capacity, supporting providers, and addressing gaps in care, especially for infants and toddlers, evenings and weekends, and before- and after-school programming.

Forward with Families includes a multi-pronged approach to addressing challenges facing families today. The five pillars of the initiative are:

Health and well-being
Child care caregiving and learning
Employment and education
Housing and food
Savings and cash

Allegheny County is also promoting a refreshed tool – the Forward with Families Program Finder, where county residents can input information about their address, children, and what kind of program they are looking for and find options for child care, out-of-school time slots, and summer camps.

Additional components of Forward with Families will be announced in the coming months.

“Young people learn how to collaborate, create, problem solve, and dream in out-of-school time programs, all skills that are needed for healthy individuals and communities,” said Karen Dreyer, executive director for Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST). “The county’s investments will get us closer to closing the gap to ensure that all youth have access to high-quality OST learning opportunities.”

News

April 1, 2026

UnConference: Out-of-School Time

Trying Together, in partnership with APOST and Allegheny County DHS, will host UnConference: Out-of-School Time on Thursday, June 11 at the Boys & Girls Club of Western PA’s Estelle S. Campbell Clubhouse.

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.

The UnConference will begin with a keynote presentation by Twanda Clark-Edgal, a learning strategist for LIGHT Social Change Agents LLC, and will be followed by morning and afternoon sessions. A light breakfast with coffee and tea and a boxed lunch will be provided as part of the registration fee.

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).

A total of 4.5 PQAS and Act 48 credit hours are available for attendees.

Free parking will be available in the Teamster’s temple parking lot across the street from the Boys & Girls Club and metered parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Details

UnConference: Out-of-School Time

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

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

First Aid/CPR Training: Wednesday, June 10 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
UnConference: Thursday, June 11 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Boys & Girls Club of Western PA, Estelle S. Campbell Clubhouse
$60 (bundled with UnConference ticket)

Sessions

MORNING SESSIONS (10-11:30 a.m.)

Play on Purpose: Theatre Games for Youth and the Adults Who Support Them
Presenter: Katie Trupiano, City Theatre

This highly interactive workshop invites participants to experience the power of theatre games as tools for building stronger, more joyful summer learning environments for both children and staff. Through movement, storytelling, improvisation, and collaborative play, attendees will explore how theatre-based activities support social-emotional learning, positive behavior management, and staff well-being. Participants will rotate through hands-on games, practice facilitation techniques, and reflect on how play can be intentionally woven into daily routines in out-of-school time settings. The session emphasizes inclusive approaches that honor student voice, choice and creativity. Attendees will leave with a toolkit of games, adaptations, and implementation strategies for summer programming.

Beyond Behavior: Trauma-Informed Practices to Support Every Child in OST Programs
Presenter: Tameka Anderson, Cultivate Potential Strategies

This interactive session equips OST educators and caregivers with trauma-informed strategies to support children’s social-emotional well-being. Participants will learn to recognize signs of trauma, understand how unaddressed ruptures impact behavior, and practice practical repair techniques to help children self-regulate. Through real-life scenarios, role-play, and hands-on tools, attendees will leave with actionable methods to foster safer, more supportive out-of-school environments, strengthen relationships, and manage challenging behaviors with confidence. Ideal for summer program staff, after-school educators, and caregivers, this session emphasizes actionable skills that transform understanding into daily practice.

Before the Program: How Emotional Regulation, Caregiver Well-Being, and Leadership Presence Shape Out-of-School Time Environments
Presenter: Toye Penny, Love You More International

Before programs, policies, and behavior strategies take hold, leadership presence sets the tone. This 90-minute interactive session explores how emotional regulation and caregiver well-being directly shape safety, behavior, and connection in out-of-school time environments. Participants will examine how stress, trauma, and depletion show up in leadership and staff dynamics, and how grounding practices can interrupt reactive cycles before burnout or breakdown occurs. Through guided reflection, discussion, and practical application, attendees will leave with trauma-informed strategies to strengthen leadership capacity, support mental health, and cultivate stable, sustainable OST spaces where both caregivers and children can thrive.

Supporting Youth Mental Health in Summer & OST Programs: Practical Tools for Educators, Families, and Youth Leaders
Presenter: Dr. Britnee Weatherspoon, Erika’s Lighthouse

Youth mental health challenges often emerge or intensify during out-of-school time, including summer programming. This interactive session equips educators, OST professionals, and caregivers with practical strategies to promote depression awareness, social-emotional well-being, and help-seeking among school-age youth. Participants will explore adaptable activities, family engagement approaches, and culturally responsive practices that support inclusive environments. Drawing from public health, education, and youth mental health programming experience, this session emphasizes actionable tools that are free and can be immediately applied in summer camps, afterschool programs, and community youth settings.

Regulate & Recharge: Simple Tools for You and Your Community
Presenter: Tessa Karel, Open Up

This interactive 90-minute session explores simple, engaging self-regulation tools that support calm, focus, and connection in out-of-school time settings. Participants will experience adaptable practices including gentle yoga, breathing exercises, thought strategies, and social games that help youth navigate moments of dysregulation. Activities are designed to be inclusive, trauma-aware, and accessible across ages and abilities. By practicing together, participants will leave with concrete tools they can use immediately to support individual well-being and strengthen a culture of community care in their programs.

AFTERNOON SESSIONS (12:45-2:15 p.m.)

Stop Making it Easy
Presenter: Cristina Ramirez, DashStrom

In an era of screen passivity, AI, and helicopter parenting, children aren’t developing the social-emotional connections they need to thrive. One key aspect of SEL is learning through struggle. This hands-on session reveals how children rise to their innate potential through challenge, not ease. Attendees experience a modified DashStrom game and feel the internal shift when facing something hard and pushing through. We then unpack the psychology behind that transformative moment, leaving participants more empowered to handle their own challenges while equipping them with practical strategies and coaching language to help children overcome theirs in OST programs.

Power in Partnership: Practical Strategies for Youth-Adult Collaboration in Summer and Out-of-School Time Programs
Presenter: Saher Mahmood, Community. Leadership. Action. Youth. LLC (C.L.A.Y LLC)

Many programs value youth voice but struggle to translate that value into structures where young people meaningfully influence decisions. This interactive session explores how authentic youth–adult partnership can strengthen engagement, leadership development, and program culture within summer and out-of-school time settings. Participants will examine real examples from youth leadership initiatives, reflect on how decision-making currently functions within their own programs, and participate in collaborative activities to design youth leadership structures that fit their setting. Attendees will leave with practical tools, including leadership structure templates, meeting guides, and youth engagement strategies, that can be implemented immediately to strengthen youth participation and shared leadership.

Trauma at the Center: Strengthening Pathways to Resilience

Presenters: Ingrid Fulton-Edwards, LCSW & Denise McGill-Delaney, MSW, Gwen’s Girls Inc.

Trauma at the Center: Strengthening Pathways to Resilience explores how trauma shapes behavior, relationships, and decision-making across the lifespan and how it can impact child and youth engagement in OST programming. This interactive workshop equips participants with practical, trauma-informed strategies to recognize trauma responses, respond with empathy, and build environments that promote healing and growth. Grounded in resilience research and relational practices, the session highlights protective factors such as safe relationships, emotional regulation, and community support. Participants will leave with tools to shift from “What’s wrong?” to “What happened?”—strengthening pathways that help individuals, families, and communities move from surviving to thriving.

Bring an Umbrella: Preparing for the Unexpected in Summer Camp
Presenters: Nicole Fratich, Amanda Peretin, and Heather Buchmann, The Learning Lamp

Don’t get caught in the rain of unpredictability without an umbrella! Session participants will add strategies and resources to their teaching toolkit to prepare for material and curriculum challenges that arise, whether that be making the most of a restrictive budget or keeping all children engaged. Participants will develop a personalized reference guide of strategies to help them develop quick learner modifications for different age groups and abilities, as well as complete a challenge that will have them racing the clock to develop an activity using materials they already have on hand.

Supervision For Super Summer
Presenter: Betsy Saatman, PA Key

This session equips staff of summer programs with practical strategies to supervise youth effectively, ensure participant safety, and create high-quality, engaging experiences. Participants will explore core supervisory skills for the dynamic nature of summer programming. Together we will review different types of supervision needed, how to plan a program with supervision as the priority and how to effectively communicate to ensure that the program runs smoothly, participants are safe and engaged.

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 partners APOST and the Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

News

March 11, 2026

UnConference: Out-of-School Time

Trying Together, in partnership with APOST and Allegheny County DHS, will host UnConference: Out of School Time on Thursday, June 11 at the Boys & Girls Club of Western PA’s Estelle S. Campbell Clubhouse.

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).

A total of 4.5 PQAS and Act 48 credit hours are available for attendees.

Free parking will be available in the Teamster’s temple parking lot across the street from the Boys & Girls Club and metered parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Registration must be completed by June 1. Please have the following information ready before registering you or your group: name/email, dietary needs, accessibility requests, and session preferences.

Registration is now open for the UnConference. See more details and workshop information.

Details

UnConference: Out of School Time

Thursday, June 11
8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Boys & Girls Club of Western PA’s Estelle S. Campbell Clubhouse
$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 30, 2026

Trying Together Calls for Presentation Proposals for June UnConference

Trying Together invites those interested in presenting at its June 11 UnConference, “Out-of-School Time,” to submit proposals for presentations relating to that topic by Friday, March 6.

Learn More

Trying Together’s UnConference is an innovative, hands-on professional development training format where a deeper experience is provided around a particular theme related to early childhood education. Speakers are invited to present and participants are encouraged to engage hands-on in the workshops.

Trying Together, in partnership with APOST and Allegheny County DHS, will host UnConference: Out-of-School-Time, on Thursday, June 11. More details will follow on the location and time. PQAS and Act 48 credits will be available for attendees.

Presentation Topics

Trying Together is seeking a focused range of topical presentations for the UnConference, which will focus on the topic of out-of-school-time. The audience for the UnConference 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.

Those submitting proposals should design them to fit a 90-minute session. Appropriate topics include – but are not limited to:

Mental health and social-emotional well-being
Poverty responses
Trauma-informed practices for OST programs
Positive behavior management
Game-based learning strategies
Project-based learning for after school and summer programs
Managing interpersonal conflict among staff
Parent and family engagement for OST programs
The importance of play

Proposals will be selected based on a variety of criteria, including the extent to which the proposal targets and is relevant to the ECE workforce, experience or expertise of presenters, definition and focus of the topic, ability to engage participants in discussion and hands-on learning experiences, practical application of material and takeaways, and timeliness and importance of the topic.

Each workshop proposal should encourage active learning; present culturally inclusive ideas, practices, and/or relevant research aimed at positioning attendees as leaders at the early learning programs in which they work; offer strategies for effective implementation of information acquired; include presenters who have significant expertise in the topic area; and cover a 90-minute block of time.

Submitting a Proposal

Trying Together will offer a stipend of $250 for any organization or individual whose proposal is chosen to be presented at the UnConference. Proposals will be due on March 6 and, on March 16, applicants will be notified about the status of their proposal. Presentation slides and materials as well as an overview of the presentation will be due on May 28.

To submit a proposal, applicants should download the submission form and save it to their desktop. Then, submit the proposal as an attachment to learning@tryingtogether.org with the subject line “June 2026 UnConference Proposal” no later than 11:59 p.m. on March 6.

For more information on submitting proposals for Trying Together’s UnConference, check out this flyer.

Trying Together recognizes that summer programs may not have hired their summer staff yet. If you know how many staff you plan to send to the UnConference, we strongly encourage you to reserve their spots now. We will follow up later to get staff contact information. To reserve spots for your staff, email Gabby Lisella at gabby@tryingtogether.org.

News

January 20, 2026

United Way’s Beyond the Classroom Grant Application Process Open Until February 5

Those interested in applying for the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s Beyond the Classroom grants should do so before the Thursday, February 5 deadline.

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The purpose of the grant funding is to alleviate the unexpected needs of out-of-school-time programs that serve children and youth, from birth to age 8. Funding for those who obtain the 2026 multi-year grants would begin in July.

For more information on the grants and the application process, a video recording of a November information session is available online.

The letter of intent process – which opened on January 5 and runs through February 5 – asks for applicants to discuss their organization’s mission statement, the investment priority if the grant were to be received, and other topics. Those interested in the grant can apply online.

The next step in the process – which would being on March 2 – would be that invitations would be sent out to certain applicants to submit a full proposal. Application workshops with PACE would be held in early March and a full proposal would be due on April 2.

Those chosen to receive grants would be alerted in June for the funding year beginning July 1.

News

January 13, 2026

PCCD Announces State Violence Intervention and Prevention Funding Through OST BOOST Grants

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has announced the availability of $11.5 million in state Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) funding.

Out-of-school-time programs interested in obtaining the funding must apply for it by the end of the day on Monday, January 26.

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The goal of the FY 2025-26 Violence Intervention and Prevention and Building Opportunities Through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) grants is to support a variety of local community violence prevention and intervention strategies, including upstream prevention for at-risk school-age youth.

For the current fiscal year, a total of approximately $60 million in state funding for VIP has been directed to the PCCD for providing grants and technical assistance to address community violence.

Community violence is defined as intentional interpersonal violence – such as gun violence, group-related violence, or domestic or intimate partner violence – in areas of the state with high rates of firearm-related violent crime or injury.

VIP funding is intended to support community violence intervention strategies designed to address violence that is already occurring in communities.

Additionally, Act 45 of 2025 (Fiscal Code) directs PCCD to reserve at least $11.5 million of appropriated VIP funds for BOOST grants, which support statewide and local out-of-school time programming for at-risk school-age youth.

The maximum award amount under the FY 2025-26 VIP and BOOST solicitation will be $500,000 or no more than 50% of an organization’s annual operating expenditures, whichever is less. The maximum award amount is the total grant amount an applicant can request over the entire 36-month project period, and is not a per-year amount for each year of the project period.

For more information, read the PCCD announcement on the funding.

News

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.

News

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.

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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.

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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.

News

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.

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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.