💰 Program Sites Can Win Up to $5,000 in this National AI Challenge from the Panasonic Foundation + STEM Next Do the young people in your afterschool program have ideas for using artificial intelligence to solve problems in their community or around the world? The AI Innovation Challenge, created by STEM Next Opportunity Fund in partnership with the Panasonic Foundation, gives high school youth the opportunity to explore those ideas while competing for prize funding…

🌞 NAA Has Quite a Bright Spotlight This Month August 19 Webinar Explores Movement-Based Activities Movement does more than support physical health, it can strengthen learning, improve behavior, and help young people build important character skills. Join the Collaborative for Advancing Healthy Experiences in OST (CAHE-OST) and Skillastics for Building Character & Academic Success Through Movement, a free virtual training to explore how movement-based activities can increase engagement, support academic success, and foster teamwork, perseverance,…

💡 It’s here: The Lights On Afterschool 2026 poster! By Shaun Gray Posted: Jul 27, 2026 Lights On Afterschool returns October 22, and we’re excited to unveil the artwork for the 2026 Lights On Afterschool poster. Sarah R., a 7th grader at South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) in New York, has built a reputation there as a talented artist. Sarah originally joined SAYA’s afterschool program to participate in the art club at her school, where…

🚨 Are you ready to turn youth vision into real-world action? The national youth leadership council (@nylcorg) is seeking passionate middle and high school students, along with dedicated adult mentors, for the 2026–2027 Youth as Solutions™ (YaS) program! Through YaS, identify local challenges and build community-rooted solutions across five key focus areas: Civics & Democracy Community Health Transportation Safety Education Environment Special Transportation Safety Focus: With support from General Motors, we’re placing a special focus…

NJSACC’s 2026-2027 Professional Development Opportunities Looking for a year of quality support at no cost to your program? Applications are now open for the Quality Support for Afterschool (QSA) program! What is QSA?QSA is a year-long quality improvement opportunity designed to help afterschool programs strengthen their practices through individualized coaching, professional learning, assessment, and goal-setting. Who should apply?Licensed and subsidized school-age child care programs throughout New Jersey. What will your program receive?✓ Support from a…

👩‍❤️‍👨 2026 NJSACC Annual Conference Day 2 Highlights 2026 Diane Genco Award for Excellence in Out-of-School Time 👩‍❤️‍👨 The Diane Genco Award for Excellence in Out-of-School Time remains one of NJSACC’s most meaningful traditions, recognizing individuals whose leadership, dedication, and passion continue to elevate the afterschool and out-of-school time profession. Named in honor of NJSACC founder Diane Genco, the award celebrates those who embody the values of innovation, quality, and unwavering commitment to New Jersey’s…

🎒 Your Annual Back-to-School Resource Is Here! Every new school year brings new opportunities and new decisions. Whether you’re preparing staff, selecting curriculum, strengthening program quality, or exploring new tools, having the right resources can make all the difference. That’s why we’re excited to share the 2026 Back-to-School Products & Services Catalog, NAA’s annual resource designed to help out-of-school time professionals prepare for a successful school year. Inside, you’ll find a curated collection of trusted resources…

Building Momentum for Job Quality: Leaders Gather at Wingspread to Advance System-Level Change In mid-July, 35 out-of-school time leaders from communities and states across the country gathered at the historic Johnson Foundation at Wingspread in Racine, Wisconsin for A Convening on Advancing System-Level Job Quality in Out-of- School Time.  Hosted by the National AfterSchool Association with support from the Johnson Foundation, the invitation-only convening brought together intermediary leaders and cross-sector partners to focus on one…

Assemblywoman Shanique Speight Visits Newark Youth Career Pathways Program NJSACC was proud to join Assemblywoman Shanique Speight in visiting the Newark Youth Career Pathways 21st Century Learning Community Centers Summer program held at Rutgers University–Newark. Thank you to Executive Director Kaleena Berryman and Vice Chancellor Shantè Palmer for allowing us to visit an exemplary program for high school students participating in the policy lab. Programs like Newark Youth Career Pathways are invaluable to communities such as Newark and across the…