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  Afterschool Alliance- Policy Pulse (12/12/25)

Every second Friday at noon ET, Afterschool Alliance's Senior VP of Policy, Erik Peterson, will recap the latest policy developments; what we know (or don’t know!) about how they may impact afterschool and summer programs, and what may be coming up next. 

Click HERE to register!

Future Policy Pulse dates are on:

Jan 9, 2026 11:00 AM (ET)

Feb 13, 2026 11:00 AM (ET)

Mar 13, 2026 11:00 AM (ET)

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Engaging Immigrant & Refugee Families

During summer programming, many OST providers noted a gap in participation from immigrant and refugee families. Collaborative members expressed interest in learning how to better meet these families where they are, including connecting through trusted community spaces and resources close to home.

Strategies that can help include offering translated and culturally relevant communications, sharing information in multiple formats, partnering with immigrant-serving organizations, and creating flexible opportunities for family input and leadership. These steps build trust and ensure that families feel welcomed and supported, ultimately strengthening student participation and success. Explore more strategies in this guide.

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Improving Teen Pathways Through Afterschool Programs

The Wallace Foundation’s new Advancing Opportunities for Adolescents Initiative (AOA) is a multi-year project looking at how afterschool and youth programs can better support teens as they learn, grow, and explore future careers. Seven communities will work together to improve access to high-quality programs and build stronger partnerships across schools and local organizations. The initiative will also create tools and a practical guide to help other communities strengthen their own teen supports.

Read the full article here to learn more! 

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