AFTERSCHOOL ALLIANCE

The Afterschool Alliance is working to ensure every child has access to a quality, affordable afterschool program. Toward this goal, we aim to:
• Be an effective voice for afterschool in efforts to expand quality affordable afterschool and summer programs
• Serve as an information source on afterschool programs and resources
• Encourage the development of local, state, and national afterschool constituencies and systems
• Communicate the impact of afterschool programs on children, families, and communities

To expand support for quality afterschool programs, the Afterschool Alliance utilizes these strategies:
• Research & Publications: Covering topics such as STEM learning, best practices, and youth outcomes. Our America After 3PM report is the most comprehensive data available on youth in the afterschool hours.
• Policy & Advocacy: Educating policymakers about the value of afterschool and summer learning opportunities. Convening parents, youth, and afterschool leaders annually for trainings and meetings with members of Congress.
• Communications: Generating thousands of positive stories on afterschool every year reaching tens of millions. Growing an active online presence, boasting 34k+ social media followers.
• Field-Building: Providing resources on topics above with 25k afterschool programs; providing technical assistance to 50 state afterschool networks; helping 8k programs gain recognition during Lights On Afterschool; placing AmeriCorps VISTAs in communities to advance afterschool.

The Afterschool Alliance is a public resource and voice for afterschool, supporting 25,000 programs and 50 State Afterschool Networks. We work with agencies and organizations at the national, state, and local levels to expand afterschool resources and educate the public on afterschool issues. Our America After 3PM provides the most comprehensive data on how kids spend the hours after school. With initiatives in STEM, health and wellness, social-emotional learning, AmeriCorps VISTA, and a local leadership program, we help inform national policy and build the capacity of local programs through toolkits, webinars, issue briefs, and more.

For the past 2 years federal funding for afterschool was targeted for elimination. We used strategic communications and rallied supporters to help educate leaders about the value of these programs. In the end, Congress kept the funding intact and increased it, ensuring that 1.7M kids have a safe, engaging place to go after school.

Our key accomplishments:
• Sustain and expand investments in afterschool, helping increase the number and quality of programs
• Hold Lights On Afterschool, an annual celebration of afterschool programs attracting 1M Americans to more than 8k events nationwide
• Produce America After 3PM, the definitive survey of where kids spend the after school hours
• Bring afterschool leaders, including Afterschool Ambassadors, to D.C. for trainings and meetings on Capitol Hill

To ensure quality and affordable afterschool programs thrive, we will deepen public awareness of how afterschool programs help young people succeed in school, career, and life:
• Building awareness of social-emotional, STEM, and work-readiness skills developed in afterschool
• Highlighting model programs and best practices
• Launching new research that makes the case for afterschool
• Engaging new voices and allies in support of afterschool
• Coaching Youth Ambassadors and giving them opportunities to share their stories