COLUMBUS — Ohio’s best out-of-school programs are more than just fun and engaging – they are a crucial component of youth development and taken seriously by those who run them.
From Jan. 23 to 25, approximately 500 out-of-school time professionals will gather to enhance their skills and practices, designed to support the development of Ohio’s youth.
In collaboration with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Open Doors Academy’s Center for Out-of-School Advancement is proud to host the 2024 Out-of-School Time Conference.
The event is tailored for recipients of the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) and Summer Learning and Afterschool Opportunities grants (SLAOG).
“We’re delighted to organize this conference, which will contribute to the advancement of Ohio’s next generation of leaders,” said Dr. Dorothy Moulthrop, CEO of Open Doors Academy. “The impact of afterschool and summer programs is well documented. We know they have positive impact on academic, behavioral, and attendance outcomes.
“Every child in Ohio should have access to high-quality programs. This conference will empower those who lead 21st CCLC-funded programs to refine their skills and adopt improved best practices, helping the youth in our state to thrive.”
The conference commencement will include comments from Jana Fornario, Executive Director of Future Forward Ohio, Shannon Teague, Assistant Director at the Office of Improvement & Innovation, and Dr. Moulthrop.
Brodrick Clarke of Brodrick Clarke Consulting LLC, a firm committed to the professional growth of youth development professionals, will deliver the keynote address.
Dr. Sylvia E. Lyles, Chief of Partnership and Grants at Foundations, Inc., and a former federal director of 21st CCLC programs, will lead the plenary session.
Attendees will participate in various sessions addressing chronic absenteeism, data collection and evaluation, learning acceleration, literacy, summer learning, finance, and workforce readiness.
The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, funded federally and managed by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Office of Future Forward Ohio, provides academic support opportunities for children from economically disadvantaged families attending low-performing schools.
It promotes high-quality, out-of-school learning experiences and related activities nationwide.
Open Doors Academy, based in Cleveland, Ohio, is a nonprofit dedicated to educational equity through high-quality afterschool programs, summer camps, scholar travel opportunities, and continuous family engagement for K-12 students.
Their Center for Out-of-School Advancement (COSA) is contracted by the ODEW to offer professional development to 21st CCLC grantees in Ohio.
COSA’s statewide efforts include sharing best practices, program assessments, regional training sessions, and leading conferences for 21st CCLC grant recipients, indirectly impacting over 40,000 youth annually.