Subject: New RFPs in your June Newsletter!

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We're Looking for Workshop Presenters to Speak at our Annual Conference!


VPOST will host its 17th annual conference on November 2, 2026, in Williamsburg, VA. This year’s theme is The Village We Build: Strengthening Youth and Communities. Inspired by the African proverb, “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child”, we recognize that as out-of-school time educators and champions, we are a vital part of the collective who are responsible for the most vulnerable among us - children. And while it takes a village to raise a child, adults need a village too. We all want to authentically belong and be cherished for who we are. We want to know that, amid our daily demands and in times of intense stress, the village has our back.


Does this theme speak to you? Do you have an area of expertise in alignment with the Quality Standards for Virginia's Out-of-School Time Programs that you want to share with the out-of-school time community? VPOST is looking for those who have insights, proven strategies, inspiration, and innovations in the field! Full details are in the Request for Proposal, including where to submit your application.

View the RFP

Calling Sponsors and Exhibitors!


VPOST warmly welcomes companies and organizations that offer solutions and support for OST educators to join us as sponsors or exhibitors at our conference. We have created a variety of sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities that can be tailored to meet your goals. For more details, check out this info sheet. 

Sponsor or Exhibit

Registration Now Open! VPOST 17th Annual Conference


Join the OST Village this November 2nd for VPOST's 17th Annual Conference, taking place at the DoubleTree in Williamsburg, Virginia. Join out-of-school time professionals from across the Commonwealth for a day of learning, networking, and inspiration.

Register Here

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is pleased to announce the release of grant funds for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program!


These funds will be awarded to school divisions and eligible community partners to support the development and implementation of high-quality community learning centers designed to enhance student learning, engagement, and overall development. Funding for this program is authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended.


Eligible Applicants Include:

  • School Divisions

  • Nonprofit Organizations

  • City or County Government Agencies

  • Faith-Based Organizations

  • Institutions of Higher Education

  • For-Profit Organizations


Technical assistance workshops are scheduled as outlined below:

School divisions and eligible organizations interested in attending one of the workshops should submit a registration form no later than Thursday, June 11, 2026.

For more resources, important dates, and to access the application, visit our website. 

New Trump Budget Proposal for FY 2027 Eliminates Afterschool


The Trump Administration's FY2027 Skinny Budget proposal appears to zero out funding for 21st CCLC and consolidate the program, along with 16 others, totaling $6.5 billion, into a new $2 billion block grant known as the Make Education Great Again (MEGA) program.

 

In addition, the budget proposes eliminating $2.1 billion in other education programs and reducing overall federal investment in education. The preliminary budget, released April 3rd, outlines the administration's funding priorities, with additional details expected later this month. It is now up to Congress to write and pass final spending legislation for FY 2027.

 

URGE Congress to protect kids' afterschool and summer programs by maintaining dedicated funding for 21st CCLC!


The Quality Boost offers quick, practical tips or resources aligned to one of the Quality Standards for Virginia’s Out-of-School Time Programs. Think of it as a bite-sized way to offer aligned, high-quality practices.


As summer programs begin, it's a great time to look at safety practices and policies with fresh eyes. That's why we're highlighting Safe Environments.


The Why for Safe Environments explains, "We create safe and secure environments for children to be ready and available to learn."


Here are a number of resources, including safety trainings, to get you started:

If you want to know more about the Safe Environments or any of our other Quality Standards, you can learn more here. 

 

 

July 6-10, 2026, is National Summer Learning Week!

NSLA’s National Summer Learning Week is a nationwide celebration that elevates the importance of summer learning in keeping kids engaged, safe, and healthy during the summer months. Get helpful resources to celebrate your summer program and share your event to be featured during the week!

About 30 million children participate in the USDA’s school breakfast and lunch programs on an average school day. When school is out for the summer, kids lose access to these healthy meals, but they still need nutritious food to grow healthy and strong. That’s why Virginia offers SUN Meals at neighborhood locations to help our kids get the nutrition they need over summer break.

With SUN Meals, kids 18 and under can get free meals and snacks at schools, parks, and other group meal locations. In some rural areas, meals can also be picked up or delivered through SUN Meals To-Go. Every child is welcome to eat and connect with other kids, and some meal locations also offer fun activities! Learn more here.

Lights on Afterschool Poster Contest

Afterschool Alliance's Lights On Afterschool poster contest is officially open! Winning artwork will be printed on more than 50,000 posters that will be displayed at more than 8,000 Lights On Afterschool events around the world. The Lights On Afterschool poster contest is a great opportunity for an afterschool program to gain national recognition for the opportunities it offers. The winning artist will be featured on our website, blog, and a national press release, and their afterschool program will be credited on the poster in addition to receiving the grand prize of $500! The deadline to apply is June 18th. Voting will take place June 22-26 on Facebook and Instagram. More info, including the entry form, is available here. 

Mizzen Education

Mizzen education is a free platform made by OST for OST. Get free lesson plans, searchable by age group, subject, duration, and more! In collaboration with Mizzen, Learn Fresh has launched their MLS STEM Goals collection. This partnership tackles a key challenge in out-of-school learning: making math both engaging and impactful for all learners. 


By combining real-world sports data with fast-paced, strategic play, this collection takes youth through the arc of a professional season, from signing a sportsmanship contract to tracking performance data and competing in a final championship tournament. Learn more at mizzen.org

  • Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) has educator resources for increasing your own knowledge plus lesson plans, LGBTQ+ themed/inclusive books, and more.

  • The Proud Trust has created a downloadable Pride Pack for schools, to equip you in being fully LGBT+ inclusive in your practice and curriculum. The LGBT+ resource includes weekly pre-planned lessons for assemblies and tutor time; engaging activities to help young people create their own Pride event and tips on how to make your school environment more inclusive.

  • Live Out Loud inspires, nurtures, and empowers LGBTQ+ youth to build a successful future by connecting them to positive role models and affirmative experiences in the LGBTQ+ community. They have multiple lesson plans and resources for Gay-Straight Alliances, Diversity Clubs, and more.

  •  The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ young people under 25.

  •  Side by Side is one of Virginia's leading LGBTQ+ serving organizations whose services include youth programs and training for youth-serving organizations across Virginia.

Juneteenth annually falls on June 19th and commemorates the day that enslaved Texans learned they would be free. This came 2.5 years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation that legally ended slavery.


Juneteenth is both a learning opportunity and a cause for celebration for youth, families, and staff alike. There are numerous local events. Honor the day in your program with historical lessons of the fight for freedom and celebrate the enduring resiliency and empowerment of Black American culture and people. Here are some resources to get you started.

  • VPM: In this lesson, students will explore and discuss the history and context of the Juneteenth holiday in the United States. Topics include the history of racial injustice and the limitations of the Emancipation Proclamation. Additionally, students will explore the modern significance of Juneteenth.

  • Teaching Juneteenth from Teaching for Justice provides historical information and educators can sign up for a learning plan.

  • Juneteenth in Picture Books recommends illustrated picture books for younger readers that explain Juneteenth

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