PSAYDN is excited to launch our 2025–2026 Education and Awareness Campaign to elevate the importance of afterschool and summer learning opportunities across the Commonwealth. Through this campaign, we will host monthly virtual sessions focused on building knowledge, capacity and collective voice in support of out-of-school time (OST) programs statewide.
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2025–2026 Education and Awareness Campaign Launch
Presenter: Chris Neitzey, Director of State Policy, Afterschool Alliance
(Recorded Aug. 21, 2025) We are honored to welcome Chris Neitzey, senior director of policy at the Afterschool Alliance, as our featured presenter for this kickoff session. Chris shared timely updates on recent federal and national advocacy efforts that have advanced policies and funding priorities benefiting out-of-school time programs across the country.
Session 2: Lights on Afterschool: Amplifying Our Movement
Presenter: Laura Saccente, Assistant Director, Center for Schools and Communities
(Recorded Sept. 18, 2025) Join PSAYDN for a dynamic webinar designed to strengthen the visibility and impact of OST programs across Pennsylvania. As part of the national Lights On Afterschool celebration, this session will focus on practical strategies for preparing and leveraging OST awareness campaigns to amplify our collective voice and elevate statewide recognition.
Session 3: Building Local Champions
Presenter: Ashley Wallace, Associate Director, National Conference of State Legislatures
(Recorded Oct. 16) Ashley Wallace, associate director, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), will share ways you can build connections with state legislators and legislative staff. She will also give an overview of some hot education topics legislatures may be tackling in 2026 legislative sessions and what that might mean for the afterschool field.
Session 4: Workforce Development and OST
Nov. 20, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Highlighting how OST programs build career pathways, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness.
Scott Mann, director of Education at VentureLab, will share how out-of-school-time (OST) programs are uniquely equipped to prepare youth for their future careers. He will highlight how starting entrepreneurship education early within OST settings fosters creativity, problem-solving, and other key employability skills. Participants will explore how K12 OST programs can strengthen Pennsylvania’s workforce pipeline by starting early to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets and discuss ways to partner with community and industry to expand opportunities for youth to develop workforce readiness.
Scott Mann
Director of Education
VentureLab
Meet Our Presenter
Scott is a lifelong learner. He graduated from Texas A&M University and served with Peace Corps Panama before returning to pursue a career as a bilingual educator both in rural and urban school districts. For the past 10 years, Scott has worked with educators and institutions to bring entrepreneurial learning to their own practice and make an impact on the youth they serve.
Session 5: STEM in OST
Dec. 18, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Highlighting how OST supports STEM learning, PA STEELS alignment, and future skill-building.
Click2Science is a comprehensive professional development tool by which Out-of-School Time professionals can strengthen their skills in delivering age-appropriate, STEM learning experiences in their program. This session will highlight two foundational skills: Asking Purposeful Questions and Exploring a STEM mindset. Strategies include in-person workshops for staff, a train-the-trainer Institute, access to online tools and videos that can be used in staff meetings, and ongoing coaching.
Meet Our Presenters
Kathleen Lodl, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Nebraska Extension 4-H Program
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Kathleen is associate dean of Nebraska Extension 4-H Program Administrator for the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. She has 30-plus years of experience in youth development with special emphasis on increasing the engagement of youth in age-appropriate programming.
Ann O’Connor, J.D.
Project Manager, Nebraska 4-H
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Ann is a project manager with Nebraska 4-H. She has managed multiple projects over the last 10 years in a variety of STEM areas. She leads professional development workshops for out-of-school time staff on a wide range of topics and has written STEM curriculum. She was previously a science teacher and coach for Science Olympiad.
Session 10: Action Day at Harrisburg State Capitol
May 6, 2026, time TBA
Registrants will be notified of the livestream link to watch the rally at the State Capitol if they are unable to attend in person.