Recognizing the value of out-of-school time (OST) programs, U.S. cities across the nation have been working for years to coordinate OST efforts locally by creating city-wide OST systems. City-wide OST systems exist to ensure all youth have equitable access to the types of OST opportunities they need to thrive. The OST Ecosystem study examines how these systems responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and the long-standing and new equity concerns in the OST system, as well as the value of these responses to other system-level leaders, OST providers, and caregivers. The study aims to shed light on opportunities for future roles OST coordinating entities can play in fostering equity and resilience in their communities.
Out-of-School Time Coordination: Infrastructure for Supporting Healthy OST Ecosystems
Began in May 2023