VPOST Conference, Plus Federal Funding Must-Knows in your Your April News Newsletter!

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Subject: VPOST Conference, Plus Federal Funding Must-Knows in your Your April News Newsletter!

Save the Date for VPOST 17th Annual Conference on November 2, 2026!

Mark your calendar! The Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time (VPOST) is excited to announce the 17th Annual Conference, taking place on November 2, 2026, at the DoubleTree in Williamsburg, Virginia. This year’s theme, The Village We Build: Strengthening Youth and Communities, will highlight the power of connection, collaboration, and community. Join out-of-school time professionals from across the Commonwealth for a day of learning, networking, and inspiration. More details and registration information will be shared soon!

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!

Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week starts April 20th

VPOST is celebrating Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week, April 20-24, 2026, in partnership with the National AfterSchool Association (NAA) to recognize, appreciate, and advocate for those who work with young people during out-of-school time.

Join us by sharing your shoutout of a colleague or afterschool professional in your life here, and we may feature them in our communications!

Share Your Shoutout!

Starting in Summer 2026, the Mary and Frances Youth Center will offer a hybrid cohort version for youth program and health service staff and leaders across Virginia. This expansion will create a learning community that supports both emerging and experienced youth development professionals throughout the Commonwealth.

Those outside of the Richmond region will have the opportunity to take part in a hybrid cohort that expands access, strengthens connections, and keeps participants grounded in their home communities. Through a blend of in-person intensive sessions and virtual learning, the hybrid cohort runs alongside the Richmond (VCU) cohort. Combined, both cohorts seek to build a statewide network of youth development and health service professionals.

Learn more here

ALX Beyond

ALX Beyond is the hub for expanded learning opportunities in the City of Alexandria, providing support and professional learning to a network of 100+ K-12 expanded learning and out-of-school time providers, municipal leaders and the greater community. Led by Caitlin Brown, Executive Director and VPOST Board member, ALX Beyond has a special focus on middle school youth and SEL. Learn more about ALX Beyond here.

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.

Did you know April 13-17th is Youth Voice Week? In celebration, we're highlighting Child and Youth Voice.

The Why for Child and Youth Voice explains:

Through authentic opportunities in programming, children and youth learn to engage with the world around them.

Here are some resources for your practice:

If you want to know more about the Child and Youth Voice or any of our other Quality Standards, you can learn more here.

VPOST Heads to Capitol Hill for the Afterschool for All Challenge

On March 11, VPOST led a delegation of youth and adult advocates to Capitol Hill for the Afterschool for All Challenge. Together, the group met with the offices of Congressman Rob Wittman, Congressman Bobby Scott, Senator Mark Warner, and Senator Tim Kaine to highlight the critical role afterschool programs play in supporting youth and families and the importance of the federal funding that sustains them. Youth ambassadors from Hampton delivered especially powerful messages, reminding us that the most compelling advocates for afterschool are the young people whose lives are shaped by these opportunities. The impact of your work is significant, and VPOST is proud to help elevate your voice at the national level.

The Mary and Frances Youth Center (MFYC) at VCU is offering 10 seed grants of up to $2,000 each to community partners to support positive youth development initiatives. The goal is to foster sustainable, community-driven partnerships that enhance programs through sports-based activities, access to higher education, and professional training for youth educators. Proposals are due April 13, 2026. Learn more here.

Register for the Summer Planning Bootcamp presented by STEMNext Opportunity Fund and the National Summer Learning Association on April 17 from 12:00–2:30 PM! Join leading education and youth development experts as they share tools, ideas, and best practices to elevate your summer program planning.

About 30 million children participate in 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, and in some rural areas, meals can 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! 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 desktop app made by OST for OST. Get free lesson plans, searchable by age group, subject, duration, and more! Check out the Youth Voice series-Foster youth voice with these activities that encourage exploration of and engagement with diverse perspectives and experiences. Learn more at mizzen.org

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Subject: VPOST Conference, Plus Federal Funding Must-Knows in your Your April News Newsletter!