NAA Has A Bright Summer Spotlight

🌞 NAA Has Quite a Bright Spotlight This Month

Help children, youth, and families thrive

Advance your impact on children, youth, and families with The Ohio State University’s online Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS). Designed for working professionals, this flexible, transfer-credit-friendly degree integrates psychology, sociology, and developmental science to help you better understand human development across the lifespan. Prepare for meaningful roles in education, human services, public policy, and related fields that strengthen individuals, families, and communities.

Why choose Ohio State’s online HDFS degree?

Support at every step: Receive personalized guidance from advisors, support staff, and faculty throughout your academic journey.
Transfer-credit friendly: Build on what you’ve already accomplished by transferring eligible credits from previous coursework or an associate degree.
Customize your pathway: Choose electives that align with your interests, experience, and career goals.
Designed to fit your life: Complete 100% online coursework created for working professionals.

The Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards, established by the National AfterSchool Association (NAA), offer a practical framework for creating environments that support healthy eating, physical activity, and positive youth development. Grounded in research and designed specifically for OST settings, the HEPA Standards help programs build on their existing strengths while promoting the physical, social, and emotional well-being of young people and staff.

The summer 2026 issue of the Journal of Youth Development has been released. This issue brings together research and practice scholarship that examines how youth development programs, relationships, and learning environments contribute to positive outcomes across diverse populations and contexts. Collectively, the articles highlight strategies for strengthening inclusion, resilience, leadership, engagement, and learning while advancing understanding of how youth-serving organizations can better support thriving among all young people.

For four decades, NAA has championed the professionals, programs, and partnerships that help young people learn, grow, and thrive beyond the school day. Throughout the coming year, we’ll look back at the people and moments that have shaped our history while celebrating the exciting future of the field.
You’ll also see this milestone reflected at NAA27, where we’ll honor four decades of impact with special anniversary celebrations woven throughout the Convention experience. Stay tuned for more details in the months ahead. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!