Policy

Providers, organizations and agencies interested in the field of afterschool look to OregonASK to answer questions and keep them informed about local, state and national issues and legislation that could have an impact on afterschool, children and youth and families in our communities. Our work is centered on educating policy makers and stakeholders, through research, tools, strategies, and partnerships with organizations throughout the state. We educate the community about ways that afterschool and summer programs keep kids safe, inspire learning and help working families.

Expanded Learning Programs Keep Kids Safe, Support Working Families, and Inspire Youth

Thanks to decades of research and impact studies, we know that expanded learning programs keep kids safe, support working families, and inspire young minds. Take a look at our recent policy briefs that explore how Oregon can help continue these efforts to meet the rising demands of youth and families across the state.

Town Hall on Expanding Afterschool & Summer Equitably

OregonASK partnered with ODE and OAESD to provide a virtual town hall for a statewide update on the “State of Expanded Learning”. We shared an overview on the progress of the Oregon Summer Collaborative and discussion of how we continue to meet what the moment brings as we actualize our potential together.

You can view the SLIDES HERE and check out the list of resources/links provided. We also shared the Future of Afterschool and Summer vision document that helps share information about this collaborative work moving forward to support youth, families, and our communities.

Policy Change

OregonASK has been actively supporting policy change at several levels since our inception in 2005. One of the greatest ways that we continue to support policy change is by helping equip you as advocates to share critical information with key decision makers.

Our policy work includes providing fact sheets, issues briefs, and gathering research about the impact and importance of expanded learning opportunities. We work directly with providers, public administrators, and elected officials to create policies that support the work of expanded learning partners, professionals, and youth throughout Oregon.

Check out our Advocacy Toolkit HERE to find out more about ways you can be active and important information you can use to share in your community.

Oregon Summer Learning Collaborative

OregonASK has been participating in the Oregon Summer Learning Collaborative since June of 2021 when a team of Oregon leaders interested in summer learning convened its own Collaborative to collectively create a space for sustained equity collaboration around out-of-school learning and enrichment that centers students and families year-round.

We hope that programs and partners from around the state will be able to join in to help leverage recent investments into long-term and sustainable impact, knowing

this can only be achieved in community. Read more about the Collaborative HERE. Sign up to join monthly meetings HERE.

Expanding Afterschool & Summer Experiences for Oregon

OregonASK partnered with Oregon Association of Education Service Districts, Boys & Girls Clubs Oregon Alliance, Oregon Alliance of Camps and Alliance of Oregon YMCA’s to showcase and celebrate how Summer Matters for All!

On January 24th, 2023 over 60 partners and advocates gathered together to:

Celebrate success leveraging $50 million in state funding for community based summer learning programs in 2022
Hear about the impact of expanding opportunities and access to life-changing summer programs for underserved and rural communities in Oregon
Learn more about how Oregon can ensure youth & families are able to access high-quality afterschool and summer programs

On January 25th, 2023, in partnership with Oregon Association of Education Service Districts and Region 16 Comprehensive Center, OregonASK co-hosted a virtual release of the full impact report created from the feedback and data collected from grantees in 2022. You can view the OCSG Impact Slides HERE from the presentation. The Report and Resource Portfolio can be found HERE. Videos from summer programs can also be found HERE.

Afterschool & Summer Programs Support Families

Check out this 60 sec video that captures how Afterschool & Summer Programs Support Families. Make sure to share it with your partners and local champions!

STEM in Afterschool

Give this video a watch to learn about the many opportunities that STEM programs in afterschool can bring to all youth!

Girls in STEM!

View this quick PSA that describes the need for STEM programs for girls to improve the underrepresentation of women in STEM careers.

It is critical that our state employ innovative strategies in order to build back better as we support the positive growth of our communities, workforce and economy.

We believe that all students can achieve given the right opportunity. We recognize that our state’s diverse student populations cannot be solely and equitably educated through the methods found in traditional schooling and have needs requiring innovative strategies, alternative pathways, and expanded learning opportunities beyond the school door.

Register Your Event Now for Lights On Afterschool October 28th