Founded in 2004, Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) at Center for Schools and Communities is one of 50 statewide afterschool networks funded through the Mott Foundation and a host of other funders.

Our mission is to promote sustainable, high quality out-of-school time (OST) youth development programs through advocacy and capacity building to enhance the welfare of Pennsylvania’s children, youth and families.

With nearly 3,000 members, over 6,000 recognized OST providers, over 100 partners, and serving in all 67 counties, PSAYDN has grown the network by providing services and supports that influence and impact afterschool on national, statewide, and regional levels.

Celebrate 2024 Lights On Afterschool, Oct. 24!

Lights On Afterschool (LOA) is a national celebration hosted by the Afterschool Alliance, and Usher is the honorary chair for 2024 Lights On Afterschool. On Oct. 24, afterschool and community programs will host events to celebrate keeping the lights on in afterschool programs. Celebrations can include a day party for recent graduates, student art shows, mini camps, and student STEM activities.

“Building Opportunities through Out-of-School Time” (BOOST) Funding Opportunity

With $11.5 million available in state Violence Intervention and Prevention funding, BOOST grants will support programs that provide structured OST activities for at-risk school-age youth.

About PSAYDN

PSAYDN supports and advocates for sustainable, high-quality afterschool programs by drawing together key decision-makers committed to improving outcomes for youth, their families, and communities. PSAYDN is part of a national collective of Statewide Afterschool Networks committed to improving and advancing afterschool opportunities across the nation. Statewide Afterschool Networks now exist in 50 states across the country, with new states added every year since 2001. These networks are all focused on improving education and out-of-school time opportunities for children and youth, particularly low- income children, and are geared toward achieving three primary goals around partnerships, policy, and quality.

Mission

The mission of the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network is to promote sustainable, high-quality out-of-school time youth development programs through advocacy and capacity building to enhance the welfare of Pennsylvania’s children, youth and families.

Vision

PSAYDN’s vision is that all children and youth deserve access to high quality out-of-school time programs that promote positive youth development and support the successful transition to adulthood.

Goals

1. Create a sustainable structure of statewide, regional and local partnerships, particularly school-community partnerships, focused on supporting policy development at all levels.
2. Support the development and growth of statewide policies that will secure the resources that are needed to sustain new and existing afterschool programs.
3. Support statewide systems to ensure programs are of high quality.

Closely tied to PSAYDN’s mission, vision and goals is our Statement of Quality – a collective of principles and ideals to guide all afterschool stakeholders and decision makers in the actions of afterschool programming, regardless of the program purpose or ages served.

Our partners and supporters

PSAYDN gratefully acknowledges support from a diverse network of partners and supporters who are crucial to developing and sustaining our initiatives. Most of PSAYDN’s program resources, professional development and advocacy efforts are products of local, regional, state and national collaborations.

Please contact PSAYDN if you or your organization are interested discussing new collaborative opportunities that will support high quality out-of-school time for children and youth in Pennsylvania.