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Register for the Advancing Health Equity in OST Virtual Institute here.

For the past two years, the National Urban League (NUL) has been working to change the conversation on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). They hosted a series of listening sessions with more than 50 parents, educators, community leaders, researchers, and others to gather feedback on SEL and other related approaches where people learn, grow, and develop in classrooms and across communities. With support from the Wallace Foundation, NUL worked with over 100 partners, including the Forum for Youth Investment, to co-create new tools that focus on the unique expertise and perspective of marginalized communities and those left out of the traditional education systems. These tools can be used to advance racial equity, justice, and empowerment.

Everyone can be an advocate. You don’t have to be a policy expert; all you need is to find your voice and stand up for what you believe in. Every afterschool professional has a compelling story to share. Stories inspire action and advocacy. Stories bring attention to important issues. Stories build an understanding and respect for the OST field. Now is the time to find your voice, use your story, and be an advocate.

The EdWeek Research Center recently produced The State of After-School Programs: Programming Results of a National Survey On Programming During a Pandemic. The report shares the results of the survey, which queried principals and afterschool employees about the types of activities that programs provide, perceptions of pandemic-related changes, and staffing challenges.