National AfterSchool Association (NAA)

Join us next Wed. at 2pm ET for a webinar about our new OST Job Quality Standards! Learn how to use the Standards to address recruitment and retention challenges. Register today: https://loom.ly/y8BZYGc

💡 From Cradle to Career: A Conversation with Elizabeth Gaines Supporting youth through every stage of life takes more than passion—it takes sustainable funding and smart policy. In a recent interview with the Wallace Foundation, Elizabeth Gaines, founder of the Children’s Funding Project, shares her professional journey and offers insights on how communities can leverage public funding to create lasting change for kids. This one’s a must-watch for anyone committed to systems that truly support young people—from cradle to career: https://loom.ly/4A3JJUE #AfterschoolMatters #YouthFunding #CradleToCareer #OSTLeadership

🔥 WATCH >> NAA25 Day 2: We Show Up! 🔥 Whether you were in the room with us in Nashville or catching the energy from afar, Day 2 of NAA25 was all about showing up—for kids, for each other, and for the future of afterschool. Relive the inspiration, big ideas, and unforgettable moments in our Day 2 recap—and don’t miss the General Session videos to experience the NAA magic for yourself: https://loom.ly/eL-DiJ4 #NAA25 #AfterschoolMatters #WeShowUp #OSTLeadership

🌟 APAW Spotlight: Lorenzo Harrison 🌟 Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week is almost here, and we’re celebrating by highlighting the powerful voices from #NAA25! Check out Lorenzo Harrison’s inspiring Story Showcase: "Turning Moments into Movement: Expanding Opportunities for Every Child." It’s a powerful reminder of how one moment can spark lasting change. WATCH >> https://loom.ly/u5eFkjM #APAW2025 #AfterschoolMatters #OSTLeadership #StoryShowcase

Join us for the Healthy OST Strategies Webinar! Celebrate the incredible work happening in out-of-school time programs across the country! Hosted by CAHE-OST and the National AfterSchool Association, this webinar will spotlight real stories and strategies that are supporting the health and wellness of both youth and staff. ✔ Get inspired by success stories ✔ Learn practical, field-tested strategies ✔ Celebrate the power of healthy OST environments 📅 Don’t miss it—register today: https://loom.ly/T4TxUkU #AfterschoolMatters #HealthyOST #YouthWellbeing #OSTProfessionals

The newest issue of the Journal of Youth Development is out now—packed with innovative practices, fresh research, and real-world strategies to elevate your work with young people. Whether you're in afterschool, youth development, or education, there's something here for you: https://loom.ly/jBe1EyI #YouthDevelopment #AfterschoolMatters #OSTLeadership #JYD

🧠 Why is it important to name it to tame it? Afterschool professionals are seeing it every day: kids are struggling with bigger emotions and fewer coping tools than ever before. Two recent Education Week articles echo what so many in OST already know—post-pandemic behavioral needs are on the rise, and there's no one-size-fits-all fix. But there are strategies that help. From helping kids name their feelings to creating calm, responsive environments, these tools can turn chaos into connection. Read more about what’s working—and how we can support kids through it: https://loom.ly/aEg8LqQ #AfterschoolMatters #SocialEmotionalLearning #BehaviorSupport #OSTStrategies

🌟 APAW Spotlight: Melvin Meade & Keanda Fuller 🌟 Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week is almost here! To celebrate, we're spotlighting amazing stories from #NAA25—starting with Melvin Meade and Keanda Fuller. Their Story Showcase highlights the power of mentoring and the impact of strong relationships in OST. 🎥 Watch their inspiring story here: https://loom.ly/XFTYLYo #APAW2025 #AfterschoolMatters #MentoringMatters #OSTLeadership

The latest issue of the Journal of Youth Development is here—packed with fresh ideas, strategies, and research to support your work with youth. Check it out: https://loom.ly/37Ng4LA #YouthDevelopment #AfterschoolMatters #OSTProfessionals

We’re proud to share that one of our 2025 Next Generation of Afterschool Leaders was recently featured on KRON 4 News. Congratulations to Think Together's Family and Community Engagement Coordinator Alexis Rivas! This incredible group of emerging OST professionals is rightfully being recognized for their innovation, leadership, and impact in the field—and we’re thrilled to see their work getting the spotlight it deserves. 👏 Help us celebrate these changemakers! Read the feature: https://loom.ly/BHfxIQ0 #AfterschoolMatters #NextGenLeaders #NAA25 #OSTLeadership #YouthDevelopment