Important Websites for the Field
These are the websites we've come to rely upon as steady sources of top-notch afterschool and youth development field-related news, research, resources and information. Many of them have e-newsletters or RSS feeds or Facebook pages. We recommend signing up for these services - that's how we keep on top of the flow of information ourselves.
Afterschool Alliance
The nation's leading voice for afterschool, the Afterschool Alliance is the only organization dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of afterschool programs and advocating for more afterschool investments. The Afterschool Alliance works with the Administration, the U.S. Congress, governors, mayors and advocates across the country.
The nation's leading voice for afterschool, the Afterschool Alliance is the only organization dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of afterschool programs and advocating for more afterschool investments. The Afterschool Alliance works with the Administration, the U.S. Congress, governors, mayors and advocates across the country.
The After-School Corporation
The After-School Corporation is a nonprofit organization based in New York City. We work in New York and the nation to change public policy and expand public funding so all kids from all backgrounds can have high quality experiences beyond regular school hours that support their intellectual, creative and healthy development.
The After-School Corporation is a nonprofit organization based in New York City. We work in New York and the nation to change public policy and expand public funding so all kids from all backgrounds can have high quality experiences beyond regular school hours that support their intellectual, creative and healthy development.
Afterschool.gov
This is a one-stop website connecting the public, and particularly afterschool providers, to federal resources that support children and youth during out-of-school time. A great range of resources, including issues that face America's youth, and information about starting and operating an afterschool program.
This is a one-stop website connecting the public, and particularly afterschool providers, to federal resources that support children and youth during out-of-school time. A great range of resources, including issues that face America's youth, and information about starting and operating an afterschool program.
Afterschool.org
The Afterschool.org website is for afterschool program directors who want to improve the quality of their programs. All sorts of other people will find it useful, too--people like program staff, volunteers, parents, community members, policymakers, funders, researchers, and anyone else who cares about children. As part of the website, Promising Practices in Afterschool (or "PPAS") is an effort to find and share things that are working in afterschool programs.
The Afterschool.org website is for afterschool program directors who want to improve the quality of their programs. All sorts of other people will find it useful, too--people like program staff, volunteers, parents, community members, policymakers, funders, researchers, and anyone else who cares about children. As part of the website, Promising Practices in Afterschool (or "PPAS") is an effort to find and share things that are working in afterschool programs.
Afterschool Investments Project
The Afterschool Investments Project provides technical assistance to Child Care and Development Fund grantees and other State and local leaders supporting afterschool efforts. The website links to resources, and state profiles including up-to-date profile of Washington State.
The Afterschool Investments Project provides technical assistance to Child Care and Development Fund grantees and other State and local leaders supporting afterschool efforts. The website links to resources, and state profiles including up-to-date profile of Washington State.
After School Matters
After School Matters is a nonprofit organization that offers Chicago teens innovative out-of-school activities through its science37, sports37, tech37, words37 and nationally-recognized gallery37 programs.
After School Matters is a nonprofit organization that offers Chicago teens innovative out-of-school activities through its science37, sports37, tech37, words37 and nationally-recognized gallery37 programs.
Asia Society
Asia Society is the leading global and pan-Asian organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders, and institutions of the United States and Asia. We seek to increase knowledge and enhance dialogue, encourage creative expression, and generate new ideas across the fields of arts and culture, policy and business, and education.
Asia Society is the leading global and pan-Asian organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders, and institutions of the United States and Asia. We seek to increase knowledge and enhance dialogue, encourage creative expression, and generate new ideas across the fields of arts and culture, policy and business, and education.
Aspen Institute
The Aspen Institute mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. Some of the most interesting community initiatives are coming out of their work.
The Aspen Institute mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. Some of the most interesting community initiatives are coming out of their work.
The Atlantic Philanthropies
The Atlantic Philanthropies is dedicated to bringing about lasting changes in the lives of people who are disadvantaged by their economic situation, race, nationality, gender, age, disabilities, immigration status, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religion. They make grants through their Aging, Children & Youth, Population Health and Reconciliation & Human Rights programs.
The Atlantic Philanthropies is dedicated to bringing about lasting changes in the lives of people who are disadvantaged by their economic situation, race, nationality, gender, age, disabilities, immigration status, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religion. They make grants through their Aging, Children & Youth, Population Health and Reconciliation & Human Rights programs.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life.
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life.
California Tomorrow
Helping to align the education field around broadened notions of success and equity-driven practice through research, partnerships, training, consulting, and grounding in the experiences of vulnerable students.
Helping to align the education field around broadened notions of success and equity-driven practice through research, partnerships, training, consulting, and grounding in the experiences of vulnerable students.
California After School Resource Library
The California After School Resource Center (CASRC, "cas-rac") supports quality after school programming via this comprehensive Web site, statewide circulating library of reviewed materials, online trainings, and technical assistance. The Resource Library has 18 searchable topics from tobacco to mental, emotional and social health. Within each topic you can narrow your search by audience, material type, specific population and language.
Center for Afterschool Education
The Center for Afterschool Education is the out-of-school time division of Foundations, Inc. Foundations believes that learning and healthy development can and should happen across the day—in school, after school, at home, and in communities.
The Center for Afterschool Education is the out-of-school time division of Foundations, Inc. Foundations believes that learning and healthy development can and should happen across the day—in school, after school, at home, and in communities.
The Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition is a coalition of organizations (including School's Out Washington) working on improving our overall environment so our children live a healthy, active lifestyle. This spring the Coalition launched Soda Free Sundays – a community-wide challenge to take a break from soda and other sugary drinks for at least one day each week for six weeks
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is a private, grantmaking foundation based in Flint, Michigan. The Foundation funds in four program areas: Civil Society, Environment, Flint Area, and Pathways Out of Poverty, and one of their identified issues is afterschool.The mission of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is to support efforts that promote a just, equitable and sustainable society.
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is a private, grantmaking foundation based in Flint, Michigan. The Foundation funds in four program areas: Civil Society, Environment, Flint Area, and Pathways Out of Poverty, and one of their identified issues is afterschool.The mission of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is to support efforts that promote a just, equitable and sustainable society.
Child Care Resources
Since 1990, Child Care Resources has been promoting school readiness, a stable community and equity for children by building a quality child care system. Child Care Resources leads efforts to promote equity for children, community stability, and school readiness by helping families access and choose high quality child and after school care, partnering with providers and caregivers to offer excellent care, and advocating for child care solutions that strengthen communities.
Since 1990, Child Care Resources has been promoting school readiness, a stable community and equity for children by building a quality child care system. Child Care Resources leads efforts to promote equity for children, community stability, and school readiness by helping families access and choose high quality child and after school care, partnering with providers and caregivers to offer excellent care, and advocating for child care solutions that strengthen communities.
Children's Alliance
As Washington's statewide, nonpartisan child advocacy organization, Children's Alliance works to ensure that laws, policies and programs work for kids and to hold our leaders accountable until they secure the resources required to make all children safe and healthy.
As Washington's statewide, nonpartisan child advocacy organization, Children's Alliance works to ensure that laws, policies and programs work for kids and to hold our leaders accountable until they secure the resources required to make all children safe and healthy.
The ultimate mission of D2L, to end childhood sexual abuse, can only be accomplished by sharing the solution of prevention, awareness and education with more and more people. This, in turn, builds momentum and over time, changes the way our nation and culture cares for, protects and nurtures our children. D2L supports youth serving organizations and families.
The David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality
The core mission of the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality is to position point of service quality as a powerful public idea that drives the out-of-school time field towards higher levels of understanding, expectation, and action about the quality of experiences available to youth.
The core mission of the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality is to position point of service quality as a powerful public idea that drives the out-of-school time field towards higher levels of understanding, expectation, and action about the quality of experiences available to youth.
Education Northwest
Chartered in the Pacific Northwest in 1966 as Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, Education Northwest now conducts more than 200 projects annually, working with schools, districts, and communities across the country on comprehensive, research-based solutions to the challenges they face.
Chartered in the Pacific Northwest in 1966 as Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, Education Northwest now conducts more than 200 projects annually, working with schools, districts, and communities across the country on comprehensive, research-based solutions to the challenges they face.
Edutopia.org
This website is what the George Lucas Educational Foundation calls "the tangible embodiment of our vision." Edutopia.org contains a deep archive of continually updated best practices, from classroom tips to recommendations for district wide change. Their "A New Day for Learning" program focuses on making the most of learning opportunities in out-of-school time so that students are engaged in full-time learning, no matter where they are.
This website is what the George Lucas Educational Foundation calls "the tangible embodiment of our vision." Edutopia.org contains a deep archive of continually updated best practices, from classroom tips to recommendations for district wide change. Their "A New Day for Learning" program focuses on making the most of learning opportunities in out-of-school time so that students are engaged in full-time learning, no matter where they are.
Every Child Matters Education Fund
The Every Child Matters Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization working to make children, youth, and families a national political priority. They promote the adoption of smart policies for children and youth, including expanding early-care and learning opportunities and after-school programs.
The Every Child Matters Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization working to make children, youth, and families a national political priority. They promote the adoption of smart policies for children and youth, including expanding early-care and learning opportunities and after-school programs.
Forum for Youth Investment
The Forum for Youth Investment is a nonprofit, nonpartisan "action tank" dedicated to helping communities and the nation make sure all young people are Ready by 21®: ready for college, work and life. Informed by rigorous research and practical experience, the Forum forges innovative ideas, strategies and partners to strengthen solutions for young people and those who care about them. A trusted resource for policy makers, advocates, researchers and program professionals, the Forum provides youth and adult leaders with the information, connections and tools they need to create greater opportunities and outcomes for young people.
The Forum for Youth Investment is a nonprofit, nonpartisan "action tank" dedicated to helping communities and the nation make sure all young people are Ready by 21®: ready for college, work and life. Informed by rigorous research and practical experience, the Forum forges innovative ideas, strategies and partners to strengthen solutions for young people and those who care about them. A trusted resource for policy makers, advocates, researchers and program professionals, the Forum provides youth and adult leaders with the information, connections and tools they need to create greater opportunities and outcomes for young people.
Foundations, Inc.
Foundations, Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to improving educational experiences for America’s children and youth—throughout the day, everywhere they learn. Partnering with education and community leaders, Foundations supports those who enhance the lives and prospects of our most vulnerable children.
Foundations, Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to improving educational experiences for America’s children and youth—throughout the day, everywhere they learn. Partnering with education and community leaders, Foundations supports those who enhance the lives and prospects of our most vulnerable children.
Harvard Family Research Project
Since 1983, the Harvard Family Research Project (HFRP) has helped stakeholders develop and evaluate strategies to promote the well being of children, youth, families, and their communities. They work primarily within three areas that support children’s learning and development—early childhood education, out-of-school time programming, and family and community support in education. Underpinning all of their work is a commitment to evaluation for strategic decision making, learning, and accountability. They have a particular interest in complementary learning, which is the idea that a systemic approach, which integrates school and non-school supports, can better ensure that all children have the skills they need to succeed.
Since 1983, the Harvard Family Research Project (HFRP) has helped stakeholders develop and evaluate strategies to promote the well being of children, youth, families, and their communities. They work primarily within three areas that support children’s learning and development—early childhood education, out-of-school time programming, and family and community support in education. Underpinning all of their work is a commitment to evaluation for strategic decision making, learning, and accountability. They have a particular interest in complementary learning, which is the idea that a systemic approach, which integrates school and non-school supports, can better ensure that all children have the skills they need to succeed.
Let’s Move! is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. Combining comprehensive strategies with common sense, Let’s Move! is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years.
National AfterSchool Association (NAA)
The National AfterSchool Association is the leading voice of the afterschool profession dedicated to development, education, and care of children and youth during their out of school hours.
The National AfterSchool Association is the leading voice of the afterschool profession dedicated to development, education, and care of children and youth during their out of school hours.
National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST)
For nearly 30 years, the National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST) at Wellesley College has moved the afterschool field forward through its research, education and training, consultation, and field-building. Much of NIOST’s work has encompassed projects of national scope and influence, several representing “firsts” for the field and many focusing on building out-of-school time systems.
For nearly 30 years, the National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST) at Wellesley College has moved the afterschool field forward through its research, education and training, consultation, and field-building. Much of NIOST’s work has encompassed projects of national scope and influence, several representing “firsts” for the field and many focusing on building out-of-school time systems.
National School Boards Association (NSBA)
The National School Boards Association is a not-for-profit organization representing state associations of school boards and their member districts across the United States. Its mission is to foster excellence and equity in public education through school board leadership. NSBA achieves that mission by representing the school board perspective before federal government agencies and with national organizations that affect education, and by providing vital information and services to state associations of school boards and local school boards.
The National School Boards Association is a not-for-profit organization representing state associations of school boards and their member districts across the United States. Its mission is to foster excellence and equity in public education through school board leadership. NSBA achieves that mission by representing the school board perspective before federal government agencies and with national organizations that affect education, and by providing vital information and services to state associations of school boards and local school boards.
National Summer Learning Association
The National Summer Learning Association serves as a network hub for thousands of summer learning program providers and stakeholders across the country, providing tools, resources, and expertise to improve program quality, generate support, and increase youth access and participation. They offer professional development, quality assessment and evaluation, best practices dissemination and collaboration, and other resources.
The National Summer Learning Association serves as a network hub for thousands of summer learning program providers and stakeholders across the country, providing tools, resources, and expertise to improve program quality, generate support, and increase youth access and participation. They offer professional development, quality assessment and evaluation, best practices dissemination and collaboration, and other resources.
Nellie Mae Education Foundation
The Nellie Mae Education Foundation focuses on the promotion and integration of, student-centered approaches to learning at the middle- and high-school levels. We believe that innovative, rigorous, year-round student-centered approaches that draw on the resources of the larger community will bring about a more equitable system that will help meet the economic, social, and educational challenges we face together as a society.
The Nellie Mae Education Foundation focuses on the promotion and integration of, student-centered approaches to learning at the middle- and high-school levels. We believe that innovative, rigorous, year-round student-centered approaches that draw on the resources of the larger community will bring about a more equitable system that will help meet the economic, social, and educational challenges we face together as a society.
Resources On Afterschool
Resources On Afterschool is an online tool featuring selected resources in the areas of: research and evaluation, promising practices, professional development, public awareness and communications, policy, and financing in afterschool.
Resources On Afterschool is an online tool featuring selected resources in the areas of: research and evaluation, promising practices, professional development, public awareness and communications, policy, and financing in afterschool.
Search Institute
Search Institute is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide leadership, knowledge, and resources to promote healthy children, youth, and communities. These are the folks who do the work on Developmental Assets, which are 40 common sense, positive experiences and qualities that help influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults.
Search Institute is an independent nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide leadership, knowledge, and resources to promote healthy children, youth, and communities. These are the folks who do the work on Developmental Assets, which are 40 common sense, positive experiences and qualities that help influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults.
United Way of King County
United Way of King County mobilizes the community by bringing the community together to address critical issues such as early learning and homelessness, investing in programs that provide the education, jobs, shelter, food and health people need to be successful, and encouraging people to contribute money and time to improve the community.
United Way of King County mobilizes the community by bringing the community together to address critical issues such as early learning and homelessness, investing in programs that provide the education, jobs, shelter, food and health people need to be successful, and encouraging people to contribute money and time to improve the community.
You for Youth (Y4Y) focuses first on grantees of the U.S. Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program. Whether you are a program director, site coordinator, activity leader or volunteer, Y4Y offers training and resources to help you build a better program. The site will help you connect and share resources with your colleagues, provide professional development and technical assistance opportunities, and offer tools for improving your program practices.
Washington Recreation & Park Association (WRPA)
Washington Recreation & Park Association is a not for profit professional and public interest organization comprised of over 1,600 members. WRPA is dedicated to enhancing and promoting parks, recreation, and arts pursuits in Washington State.
Washington Recreation & Park Association is a not for profit professional and public interest organization comprised of over 1,600 members. WRPA is dedicated to enhancing and promoting parks, recreation, and arts pursuits in Washington State.
Washington State Department of Early Learning
The Department of Early Learning's mission is to develop, implement and coordinate system oversight to early learning policy and programs that create safe, healthy, nurturing learning experiences for all Washington children. DEL sets rules for the Working Connections Child Care program and for the over 7,400 licensed child care settings in family home and child care centers serving children up to age 12. DEL also invests millions of dollars to support the quality of care Washington children receive from teachers and child care providers, which includes funding to School's Out Washington and WRAP to improve quality of school-age programs.
The Department of Early Learning's mission is to develop, implement and coordinate system oversight to early learning policy and programs that create safe, healthy, nurturing learning experiences for all Washington children. DEL sets rules for the Working Connections Child Care program and for the over 7,400 licensed child care settings in family home and child care centers serving children up to age 12. DEL also invests millions of dollars to support the quality of care Washington children receive from teachers and child care providers, which includes funding to School's Out Washington and WRAP to improve quality of school-age programs.
21st Century Community Learning Centers program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.