Virginia Partnership for Out of School Time (VPOST)

In times of change, your role working with youth remains as vital as ever. While decisions at the national level may shift policies and structures, one thing remains constant: the impact you have on young people's lives. No matter what challenges come, your work matters. You are the foundation of knowledge, the champions of opportunity, and the mentors who inspire future generations. As we navigate potential shifts in the educational landscape, let’s focus on what truly matters—our kids. This is an opportunity to strengthen our communities, advocate for the needs of our youth, and innovate new ways to ensure every child receives the services they deserve. Stay strong, stay hopeful, and remember that the heart of education is not in a department or policy—it’s in you. Your dedication, resilience, and passion will always be the driving force behind meaningful learning. Together, we will continue to shape the future. With gratitude and support, The VPOST Team https://lnkd.in/eUUKdNTd

VPOST was proud to attend the NAA Convention and welcome our colleagues from Virginia! As the state affiliate, we are committed to supporting afterschool and OST professionals across the Commonwealth. The workforce summit reinforced the importance of improving job quality for those working to serve youth and families. We are inspired by the resilience and dedication of individuals across the field who continue to push forward, making a positive impact on young people, even in the face of unseen challenges. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for all! #NAA25

This week, the U.S. Department of Education announced a reduction in force impacting nearly 50% of the Department's workforce. Since January 20, 2025, the workforce at the Department has been reduced by approximately 1,950 employees, including approximately 600 who accepted voluntary resignation and retirement. The nearly 1,400 employees impacted by the non-voluntary reduction in force will be placed on administrative leave beginning Friday, March 21. According to a Department press release, the agency "will continue to deliver on all statutory programs that fall under the agency's purview, including afterschool and summer learning programs through 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Title I, Title IV Part A, and Full Service Community Schools will continue to be supported at the federal level." For more information on these layoffs, visit https://lnkd.in/e-eW4ifz

?? March 24-28 is #youthvoiceweek! Join the Afterschool Alliance in amplifying young people's voices as they share the issues that matter most to them. ?? On March 24th, take a moment to contact congress (https://lnkd.in/ebsHJFHn) and urge your elected officials to support the afterschool and summer programs our young people count on. Visit the Afterschool Alliance's website for more ideas!

Child Care Aware Virginia has designed a toolkit to help employers understand an array of options to better support the child care needs of employees. Check out their Employer Toolkit by clicking the link below! https://lnkd.in/ewa29tQ7

To our shock and dismay, the proposed budget for Fairfax County Public Schools eliminates the Fairfax County Middle School afterschool and its summer programs for middle school students. This impacts 27 programs, 25 outside organizations, and more than 23,000 middle school students and their parents. Fairfax’s network of out-of-school time programs is one of the most impressive in Virginia and serves as a lifeline for working parents and the local economy. While we understand Fairfax County is facing significant budget cuts, they cannot make them at the expense of the county’s children. If you live or work in Fairfax County, we need you to contact your representative on the Board of Supervisors and School Board and convince them that this is not the solution. The implications of eliminating these programs will be far-reaching and be felt beyond the school system. It is critical that your representatives hear from you ASAP. If you live or work in Fairfax County, please take a few minutes to e-mail them and urge them NOT to eliminate middle school afterschool and summer programs. www.v-post.org/take-action

?? It's Webinar Wednesday! Join the Afterschool Alliance on Friday, February 14th for their very first Afterschool Policy Pulse! Senior VP of Policy, Erik Peterson, will recap the latest policy developments, what's known (or not known!) about how they may impact afterschool and summer programs, and what may be coming up next. ?? Register Today! https://lnkd.in/g9awfZzN ?? Afterschool Policy Pulse will be held every second Friday at noon ET

Join Afterschool Alliance and make your voice heard on February 14th by contacting congress and sharing why you, your students, and your community love your afterschool program! ?? ?? Visit https://lnkd.in/eQVdc6Bi to contact Congress and find more information on how to participate. #iheartafterschool??

?? Congratulations to Medha Pappula, our former STEM Youth Ambassador has been honored for her unique talents, aptitude, and aspirations in technology and computing! Join us in celebrating Medha and her national achievement! ??

?? VPOST is unveiling a new Community of Practice: A Year of OST Quality We have availability for 20 cohort members from 10 OST organizations. We will complete a deep dive into the Quality Standards and learn with professionals across Virginia. Meetings will be held monthly from February through December 2025 via Zoom. Members will also receive a $250 honorarium. Apply today: https://lnkd.in/exNpFDBe