Celebrate the impact of afterschool programs at the 2025 Kentucky Afterschool Summit! Hosted by the Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance (KYOSA) in partnership with Partners for Change, this two-day virtual event brings together hundreds of afterschool professionals, educators, and leaders from across Kentucky and beyond each year for learning, connection, and inspiration.
This year's theme is Thriving Together: Building Community, Strengthening Futures. In times of uncertainty, strong partnerships matter more than ever. This year’s Summit celebrates how collaboration not only supports youth and families—but also strengthens the programs that serve them. Together, we’ll explore innovative ideas and real-world strategies that help our communities, organizations, and young people thrive.
This conference is ideal for anyone supporting youth outside the traditional school day, such as (but not limited to):
Out-of-School Time (OST) professionals.
K-12 educators and administrators
Community leaders, partners, and advocates
State agency partners
Recharge your passion. Connect with peers. Grow your impact.
November 13, 2025 08:30 am
toEase into Day 2 with platform support, announcements, and time to connect with fellow attendees before sessions begin. Logging in early is another opportunity to earn leaderboard points for a chance to win a $100 Lakeshore Learning gift card at the Closing Ceremony.
November 13, 2025 09:00 am
to
Erik Peterson
Afterschool Alliance
Kendra Calhoun
Boys & Girls Clubs of Appalachia
Shawna Wood
The Foundry
Sonya Davis
Barren Beyond the Bell
Angela Masden
Rose Dove Consulting
Eligible for 1.25 hours of ECE-TRIS credit.
This session begins with the Afterschool Alliance providing an overview of the current policy landscape and the challenges facing out-of-school time programs nationwide. A panel of four incredible Kentucky afterschool leaders will then share how they are leveraging collaboration and partnerships to help their programs thrive in difficult times. Featuring perspectives from diverse regions and program types, the discussion will highlight practical strategies for sustaining impact and strengthening community connections. Participants will leave with insights they can apply to their own local contexts.
November 13, 2025 10:15 am
toTake a short pause to stretch, recharge, and prepare for the next session.
November 13, 2025 10:30 am
to
Eligible for 1 hour of ECE-TRIS credit.
November 13, 2025 10:30 am
to Clare Grace Jones
Collaborative for Advancing Healthy Experiences in OST
Bianca Reid
Collaborative for Advancing Healthy Experiences in OST
This session introduces the updated National AfterSchool Association's HEPA 2.0 Standards and explores how they can be integrated into out-of-school time programs to create healthier, more engaging environments. Participants will review the standard’s content areas, identify best practices, and discuss strategies for putting the standards into action. The session also highlights resources available through the Collaborative for Advancing Healthy Experiences in OST to support implementation. Attendees will leave with practical tools to begin applying HEPA in their own OST programs.
November 13, 2025 10:30 am
to
Andrea Heil
EC Learn
Kim Ross
We know that creating safe, stable nurturing relationships are the key to helping kids overcome life’s challenges. This session highlights five new tip sheets designed to help families foster resilience and strong relationships with children. Participants will explore the developmental impacts of early childhood trauma and identify strategies to promote safe, stable, and nurturing environments. The workshop emphasizes how everyday actions by caregivers can support healing and growth. Attendees will leave prepared to use the tip sheets as a tool for strengthening family engagement and building resilience in their communities.
November 13, 2025 11:30 am
toGrab lunch and network with exhibitors over lunch.
November 13, 2025 12:30 pm
to
Eligible for 1 hour of ECE-TRIS credit.
November 13, 2025 12:30 pm
to
Sheneika Simmons
Simmons Leadership Services, LLC
Securing funding is one of the most significant challenges for out-of-school time programs. This session introduces the basics of writing high-quality grant narratives and budgets tailored to foundational grant opportunities. Participants will learn strategies for identifying funding prospects, aligning proposals with funder priorities, and avoiding common pitfalls. Attendees will leave with practical skills and a clearer understanding of how to strengthen their grant applications.
November 13, 2025 12:30 pm
to
Daniel Hatcher
Alliance for a Healthier Generation
Youth development professionals often put others first, but staying afloat means taking care of you, too. This interactive session is a chance to slow down, check in, and connect with others. This interactive session explores simple “Me Moments”—short, mindful pauses—that help staff stay grounded and energized. Participants will also examine how partnerships can ease workloads and provide critical support. The session features the Healthier Generation Action Center, a free online hub of tools and resources. Attendees will leave with strategies for caring for themselves while strengthening collaborations.
November 13, 2025 12:30 pm
to
Angela Masden
Rose Dove Consulting
Storytelling is a powerful way to build youth confidence, strengthen community ties, and nurture leadership. This session draws on decades of experience in youth development to introduce culturally responsive strategies that help young people craft and share their narratives. Participants will explore how storytelling supports social-emotional learning, belonging, and resilience. Attendees will leave with facilitation tips, sample activities, and a deeper understanding of how to use storytelling to amplify youth voice and foster stronger program connections.
November 13, 2025 01:30 pm
toEngage in program-type roundtables (licensed child care providers, 21st CCLC programs, Boys & Girls Clubs, and more) to exchange insights, address shared challenges, and build stronger networks.
November 13, 2025 02:00 pm
toCelebrate the Summit’s highlights, reflect on key takeaways, and leave energized with next steps for advancing afterschool and summer learning in Kentucky. The session will also feature the announcement of leaderboard prize winners, each receiving a $100 gift card from Lakeshore Learning.
November 12, 2025 08:30 am
toLog in early to get comfortable with the Summit platform, test features, and connect with tech support before sessions begin. Early participants can also start earning leaderboard points toward a chance to win a $100 gift card from Lakeshore Learning, to be awarded during the Closing Ceremony.
November 12, 2025 09:00 am
to
Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman
Kam Green
founder of Get Up and Thrive
Eligible for 1.25 hours of ECE-TRIS credit.*
Kick off the Summit with a warm Welcome from KYOSA, an opening address from Lt. Governor, Jacqueline Coleman, and a keynote from Kam Green that inspires reflection, collaboration, and commitment to supporting Kentucky’s youth.
Opening Address from Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman
(Keynote Address) Thriving Together: Collaborating on Successful Outcomes for All
Join Kam Green for an engaging keynote that invites us to reflect on our passion, the resources we bring, and the reasons we dedicate ourselves to supporting Kentucky’s youth. Together we will consider where we are today, acknowledge both challenges and victories, and celebrate the power of collaboration in creating lasting success. This session encourages thoughtful reflection on how we show up for young people and for one another, while exploring how collective efforts can strengthen communities. Looking ahead, we will focus on deepening partnerships and reinforcing our shared commitment so that both youth and staff not only survive but truly thrive. This is a call to action to work with intention and purpose—because we thrive together.
November 12, 2025 10:15 am
toTake a short pause to stretch, recharge, and prepare for the next session.
November 12, 2025 10:30 am
toEligible for 1 hour of ECE-TRIS credit.
November 12, 2025 10:30 am
to
Annie Cornett
Momentum Creative Group
This workshop will explore how intentional communication strategies can strengthen program sustainability by increasing visibility, engaging diverse stakeholders, and inspiring long-term investment. Participants will learn tools to craft effective messaging, leverage community partnerships, and demonstrate impact to secure funding. The session will emphasize strategies that can be adapted to different program contexts and audiences. Attendees will leave with practical approaches to promote relevance and long-term support.
November 12, 2025 10:30 am
to Amanda Wright
KET
Donna Arnold
KET
Join Kentucky Educational Television (KET) for an interactive session on building essential digital skills for students, educators, parents, and caregivers across Kentucky. Participants will explore strategies for navigating websites, spotting scams, and practicing safe, responsible digital citizenship. The session will highlight KET’s free, standards-aligned resources and ready-to-use activities. Attendees will also learn about opportunities to partner with KET to bring hands-on workshops to their communities.
November 12, 2025 11:30 am
toGrab lunch and network with exhibitors over lunch.
November 12, 2025 12:30 pm
to
Eligible for 1 hour of ECE-TRIS credit.
November 12, 2025 12:30 pm
to
Juan Alvarado
Raize the Bar, LLC
We all know the conversations we avoid; the ones that feel awkward, emotional, or downright exhausting. But as a leader, avoiding hard conversations doesn’t make the problem disappear, it makes YOU disappear. In this powerful, hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to shift from hesitation to confidence using tools that help them turn difficult conversations into Confident Conversations Through real-world scenarios, mindset shifts, and a practical framework, you’ll uncover how to speak with clarity, not conflict. You'll learn how to set the tone, keep your cool, and walk away knowing both you and the staff/coworker/parent were heard and respected. Whether you're addressing staff performance, peer tension, or setting boundaries with grace this session will help you find your voice and say it strong.
November 12, 2025 12:30 pm
to
Elinor Blankenship
The Afterschool Clown
With so many activities falling under the STEMbrella, it can be difficult to know what truly counts as a high-quality STEM learning experience. This session will break down the essential building blocks of STEM best practices and guide participants in designing effective, engaging, and developmentally appropriate activities. Attendees will leave with a clear framework for evaluating STEM opportunities and practical strategies for strengthening program offerings.
November 12, 2025 12:30 pm
to Joshua Faden
Community of Teachers
Every young person approaches challenges differently—some lead with curiosity, others need encouragement, and many benefit from discovering their unique strengths. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore the Confidence Constellation and meet the colorful Confidence Creatures, original artwork designed to inspire and guide youth on their confidence-building journey. Through hands-on, adaptable activities, OST professionals will learn how to use these creative guides to help youth embrace challenges, build resilience, and connect with peers and caring adults. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use tools that spark engagement, foster community, and strengthen the bridge between programs and families.
November 12, 2025 01:30 pm
toConnect with peers in your region of Kentucky during small-group discussions designed to spark collaboration, share resources, and explore opportunities for regional partnership.
November 12, 2025 02:00 pm
toHear key updates, reminders, and a preview of Day 2 from KYOSA leadership. We’ll also announce the current top five on the Summit leaderboard—on track for the $100 Lakeshore Learning gift cards to be awarded during the Closing Ceremony.
Device Requirements for ECE-TRIS Credit
If you plan to receive ECE-TRIS credit for your participation in the 2025 Kentucky Afterschool Summit, please be sure to join sessions from a computer or laptop.
Our virtual event platform can only accurately track the time you spend in each session when you log in using a computer or laptop. If you join from a phone or tablet, the system will record that you attended but will not capture your time in session, which is now required for ECE-TRIS verification of virtual training event participation.
As a result, sessions attended from a phone or tablet may NOT be approved for ECE-TRIS credit.
We want to ensure everyone receives the professional development hours they’ve earned, so please plan ahead and log in from a compatible device.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation, and we look forward to seeing you at the Summit!
Show your support for after school excellence and gain visibility among professionals statewide. We have lots of different opportunities available to suit all budgets.
Promote your services, products, or resources through interactive virtual booths featuring customizable branding, videos, downloads, and live chats.