2025 50 State Afterschool Network Leaders Meeting

This session will provide a space to exchange ideas about how to be more equity-centered in the leadership and management of our Networks. Using a range of reflection tools, we’ll explore culture and conflict, relationship building, staff development and supervision, and organizational operations. We’ll share our experiences and surface tangible ways to make transformational shifts in mindsets, behaviors and structures towards more equitable organizations and thriving teams.

Network models have the power to create movements that make the impossible possible. Join us to explore the why and how of a network approach and learn how to build your network to advance OST in your state ecosystem.

• What makes a network model unique?
• What is the value of a network approach?
• Examples of how OST has benefited from the network approach – we would not have achieved this if it had not been for a network model.
• Examples of how states have built and cultivated their network model:
  • Policy Example
  • Quality example
  • System building example
  • Investment in OST example
  • Increasing awareness/value of OST example

Youth voice can not only be cultivated, it can be turned into action and can create change in their lives and communities. Our Youth Empowerment Model walks adults through 4 phases of working with youth to bring their thoughts and ideas to life. We will talk through the 4 phase model, how the Search Institute's Developmental Relationships Framework fits into each phase, some example tools & ideas for bringing each phase to life, and how this model has worked in a wide variety of settings. From individual advocacy and action, to developing community change projects, our Youth Empowerment Framework provides the guardrails to ensure the youths' voices are leading the way.

Access session slides HERE.

Florida After School, Inc. just completed our second "Teen Day at the Capitol" with sell-out success. As we craft unique opportunities to engage young people at the state level and embrace equity of access, we want to share our lessons learned and ask others what they are doing to activate youth voice and choice beyond their own communities.

Youth voice has been a focal point in numerous discussions in recent months. Afterschool for Children and Teens Now (ACT Now) and the Michigan After School Partnership (MASP) have recently initiated youth afterschool ambassador programs aimed at amplifying youth voices within their networks. This dialogue will delve into the process undertaken by the Illinois and Michigan networks to establish these programs, or experiences thus far, and the insights we have gained along the way. We eagerly anticipate sharing our endeavors and extending support to other networks, while also learning how others have involved young people in their initiatives!