Start an OST Program

Despite the number of amazing OST programs operating across Michigan, there are still tens of thousands of children and youth who are alone and unsupervised after the school day ends. If you are considering creating an afterschool program in your community, there are many resources available to help you get started.

• The Afterschool Alliance offers Program Start Up Guides to help you get started, including funding resources and information on policy efforts.

• After signing up for a free National Afterschool Association membership, you will gain access to “How to Start an Afterschool Program: 10 Things to Consider,” which includes useful information on types of programs, quality standards, licensing requirements, funding, and more.

• This Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) toolkit provides a description of resources to support 21st Century Community Learning Center afterschool programs. Many of the entries also apply to before-school, summer, and community learning center programs.

• The Beyond the Bell® Toolkit is designed to help afterschool and expanded learning program directors, site coordinators, and other staff members create and sustain high-quality, effective afterschool and expanded learning programs.

• This Expanded Learning Project publication, edited by Terry K. Peterson, Ph.D., is a groundbreaking compendium of studies, reports and commentaries by more than 100 thought leaders including community leaders, elected officials, educators, researchers, advocates and other prominent authors.