In this “High-Quality Youth Development and Out-of-School-Time (OST) Opportunities” webinar hosted by the National Governors Association, Jodi Grant of the Afterschool Alliance and Dr. Deborah Moroney of the American Institutes for Research discuss how governors and states can best support students, families, and communities through high-quality youth development and OST opportunities. Dr. Moroney served as chair of the 2025 National Academies consensus study report, The Future of Youth Development: Building Systems and Strengthening Programs, which describes how OST programs serve as a bridge between school, home, and community. Jodi Grant is the Executive Director of the Afterschool Alliance, which recently released its most recent America After 3PM report offering new insights into families during the 3 to 6 p.m. window, when schools let out and many parents are still working.
According to Grant and Moroney, afterschool programs are a critical part of youth development. They point to research showing that young people benefit across a range of activities, whether as a scout, an athlete, or an artist, and that these experiences build a lasting commitment to school and work. The value is heightened in an age of social media and rising youth mental health challenges, with afterschool giving kids meaningful time off screens while strengthening important skills. The data shared shows afterschool remains an urgent priority for parents, with demand still outpacing what many families are able to access. Both speakers emphasized the role of intermediaries: unlike school districts, OST systems rely on these backbone organizations to hold the field together, coordinating services, maintaining quality standards, and running staff development and supports.
Resources
- Presentation Slides
- National Academies: Promoting Learning and Development In K-12 Out Of School Time Settings For Low Income and Marginalized Children and Youth, (key takeaways here)
- Afterschool Alliance: America After 3PM
- The Wallace Foundation: The Time Has Come for Youth Development
- The Wallace Foundation: The Evolution of Out-of-School Time
