January 6, 2026 Afterschool Alliance Survey Aims to Gather Information on Program Needs The Afterschool Alliance is asking those who operate afterschool or summer learning programs to take a survey to provide information on the needs that their programs face. Learn More The intention of the survey is for the alliance to better understand the support that afterschool and summer learning programs are currently providing as well as the challenges they face. It is also meant to gain insight into what the needs are for programs to be able to better help the children and families they serve. Answers in the survey will provide information that the alliance will share with funders, policymakers, education leaders, and the public on the importance of increasing investments to afterschool and summer programs that foster learning, connection, and belonging. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. All responses will be anonymous. Those who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing in which 50 respondents will receive a $50 gift card. Those interested in taking the survey can do so online.
November 4, 2025 Study Finds More Parents Want Children in After-School Programs But Needs Not Being Met Despite an increased number of parents wanting their children to participate in after-school programs, such demands are not being met for more than three in four children, according to data from America After 3PM. Learn More A report titled “Lost Opportunity: Afterschool in Demand, But Out of Reach for Many” noted that the after-school field has made great strides in the past 25 years from growth in federal and state funding to strong investment and positive outcomes for young people. America After 3PM conducts a study every five years to help guide work in the field and to examine how children and youth spend the hours after school and over the summer. The study’s 2025 edition found that after-school programs address many of society’s problems, give youths opportunities to connect them with peers and mentors while developing their skills and leadership, and provide parents with a lifeline to help them keep their jobs and lower stress. However, the study found that the nation is far from realizing its potential because many families cannot access after-school programs. A total of three out of four children whose parents want programs don’t have them, the study found. Since the previous America After 3PM study, a number school programs have closed, community organizations have been shuttered, and there has been a rise in youth mental health challenges and absenteeism. The report notes that after-school and summer programs play a critical role in supporting youth, their parents, and the economy. It calls for programs to be made available to all families who want to utilize them. For more details, read the entire America After 3PM study.
