Ohio Afterschool Network

🌟 Join Us for the OAN Statewide Spring Meeting – May 6 (10 AM - 1 PM)!

Connect with out-of-school time professionals from across Ohio for a day of learning, networking, and inspiration! Explore OST resources, best practices, state and federal policy updates, and opportunities to collaborate with peers from around the state.

📍 New Location: Shine Bright Community Center, Whitehall
☕ Coffee & light refreshments provided
🥪 Bring your lunch or grab food nearby

Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and strengthen your work for Ohio’s youth!

Registration and details available here:

May 6, 2026 Ohio Afterschool Network Meeting Registration Form Join us for OAN's spring statewide meeting on Wednesday, May 6th, 10-1 at the Shine Bright Community Center, 4590 E Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43213. Plentiful parking is available in front of the building. Coffee, water, and light refreshments will be served; bring a brown bag lunch if you would....

Closing the Affordability Gap in Afterschool and Summer Programming

As federal funding becomes less certain, education experts are calling for a coordinated effort between providers, policymakers, and philanthropists to expand access to high-quality out-of-school programs for the 24 million children currently priced out of enrollment. Learn More Here

Making Afterschool & Summer Programs More Affordable for Millions of Families Banay & Grant: With federal funding less secure, providers, policymakers & philanthropies can help kids gain access to high-quality, enriching options.

During the Afterschool for All Challenge, Ohio Afterschool Network leaders from Cincinnati, Cleveland, Lorain, and Dayton met with elected officials and their teams on Capitol Hill. Urging support for Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and 21st Century Community Learning Center (21CCLC) funding, the team reminded leaders in DC that 44% of CCDBG dollars go to school-aged youth in Ohio. Funding for 21CCLC has been flat-funded since 2021. Add your voice here: 3to6.co/Congress

Full rooms, online and in person, filled with engaged voices and thoughtful discussion—exactly what progress looks like. Grateful to everyone who helped make today’s state-wide meeting such a success!

Ready to make a difference for Ohio’s kids? Join us for the OAN State Meeting on February 5th!

We’re gathering in Columbus to share information and updates, connect with partners, and set priorities for afterschool and summer learning in Ohio. Whether you’re looking for resources or policy insights from our committee chairs, you won’t want to miss this statewide gathering.

The Details:

Date: Thursday, February 5th

Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Location: State Library | 274 E. First Avenue, Columbus, OH

Virtual Option: A virtual attendance option is also available for those unable to join in person.

Food/Drink: This is a Brown Bag event! Bring your lunch, and we’ll provide the coffee!

Secure your spot today (for both in-person and virtual): https://forms.gle/Xg2aHSMqyccU3qRh8

We hope to see you at the Central OST Regional Hub Convening tomorrow! Join us in Worthington for updates, connection, and great conversation with fellow OST leaders across Central Ohio.

Your students have big, bold ideas that deserve a million-dollar stage!

The Dollar Challenge is the ultimate national pitch competition for kids and teens (K-12). Kids and teens dream up solutions, tackle real-world problems and present ideas that improve their very own schools, homes and communities.

All it takes is a simple 30-90 second video. No fancy editing. No special tools. Just their creativity, clarity and courage. Students can enter solo or in teams of up to three, and entries are due February 27, 2026.

Ready, set, GROW!

Learn more at mottmillion.org

Big news for Ohio as we celebrate Computer Science Education Week:

Ohio Afterschool Network is partnering with STEM Next Opportunity Fund on a new pilot bringing high-quality AI learning to afterschool programs across our state.

This effort will help educators guide young people as they explore AI, understand how it works, and build the skills they need for a future shaped by emerging technologies.

We are proud to be among the early adopters of this innovative strategy, made possible with leadership support from Qualcomm.

Full announcement: https://stemnext.org/opportunity-ai-release

📣 Don’t Miss the Upcoming OST Regional Hub Convenings!

There’s still time to register and join your region’s gathering where we’ll discuss Ohio OST priorities, share updates, and strengthen partnerships across the state.

🗓️ Upcoming Dates:

🌟 SE Ohio – Dec 2, Athens

🌟 SW Ohio – Dec 3, Dayton

🌟 NW Ohio – Dec 4, Toledo

🌟 Central Ohio – Jan 13, Worthington

Register here: https://forms.gle/G2ZUfYyMszZzbmNc7

Join for the 2025 Ohio Prevention Conference, December 10–11 in Columbus! Connect with prevention professionals from across the state, hear from inspiring keynote speakers, and choose from 30+ breakout sessions designed to strengthen and elevate prevention work in every community.

📍 Hyatt Regency Columbus
🔗 Register: https://preventionactionalliance.org/event/ohio-prevention-conference-2025/

Registration closes November 28.

You’re Invited! Join the upcoming OST Regional Hub Convenings — where quality, policy, and partnerships shape the future of out-of-school time in Ohio!

📍 Connect with local educators, leaders, and advocates
💬 Discuss OST priorities and statewide updates
🤝 Build partnerships across Ohio

🗓️ Up Next: Northeast Ohio – November 10, Cleveland
Coming soon: SE – 12/2 (Athens) | SW – 12/3 (Dayton) | NW – 12/4 (Toledo) | Central – 1/13 (Worthington)

🔗 Register here: https://forms.gle/G2ZUfYyMszZzbmNc7