About the Conference

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.

Who Should Attend?

This conference is ideal for anyone supporting youth outside the traditional school day, such as (but not limited to):

Recharge your passion. Connect with peers. Grow your impact.

Why Attend

  • Discover tools and strategies to strengthen your program
  • Explore emerging trends in youth development
  • Be inspired by dynamic speakers
  • Connect through curated virtual networking opportunities
  • Collect valuable resources in a personalized virtual swag bag

What's New in 2025

  • Immersive 3D virtual environment
  • Enhanced virtual networking and engagement
  • Virtual exhibit hall with customizable booths
  • Virtual poster presentations
  • Expanded sponsor visibility and branding opportunities

Agenda

Day 2: November 13, 2025

November 13, 2025 08:30 am to
09:00 am

Early Access & Virtual Platform Reorientation

Ease 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
10:15 am

Day 2 General Session

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 to
10:30 am

Break

Take a short pause to stretch, recharge, and prepare for the next session.


November 13, 2025 10:30 am to
11:30 am

Breakout Session 3

Eligible for 1 hour of ECE-TRIS credit.

November 13, 2025 10:30 am to
11:30 am

Healthy Eating & Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards in Out-of-School Time: Training 101​

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
11:30 am

Building Family and Child Resilience: Introducing Tip Sheets for Family Engagement

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 to
12:30 pm

Lunch & Learn

Grab lunch and network with exhibitors over lunch.


November 13, 2025 12:30 pm to
01:30 pm

Breakout Session 4

Eligible for 1 hour of ECE-TRIS credit.

November 13, 2025 12:30 pm to
01:30 pm

Getting to the Money: Grant Writing Made Easy

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
01:30 pm

Keeping Yourself Afloat: Me Moments & Powerful Partnerships

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
01:30 pm

Rooted and Rising: Storytelling as a Tool for Youth Empowerment and Community Connection

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 to
02:00 pm

Networking Roundtables

Engage 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 to
02:15 pm

Closing Ceremony

Celebrate 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.


Day 1: November 12, 2025

November 12, 2025 08:30 am to
09:00 am

Early Access & Virtual Platform Orientation

Log 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
10:15 am

Opening General Session

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 to
10:30 am

Break

Take a short pause to stretch, recharge, and prepare for the next session.

November 12, 2025 10:30 am to
11:30 am

Breakout Session 1

Eligible for 1 hour of ECE-TRIS credit.

November 12, 2025 10:30 am to
11:30 am

Communications that Sustain: Building Long-Term Support for Afterschool Programs

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
11:30 am

KET Media Lab: Digital Literacy

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 to
12:30 pm

Lunch & Learn

Grab lunch and network with exhibitors over lunch.


November 12, 2025 12:30 pm to
01:30 pm

Breakout Session 2

Eligible for 1 hour of ECE-TRIS credit.

November 12, 2025 12:30 pm to
01:30 pm

Say It Strong: Tools to Tackle Conversations You Avoid

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
01:30 pm

Does This Count as STEM?

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
01:30 pm

Confidence Creatures: Creative Tools to Help Youth Embrace Challenges and Thrive

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 to
02:00 pm

Networking Roundtables

Connect 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 to
02:15 pm

Day 1 Wrap-Up & Announcements

Hear 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!

Partners

This Summit is made possible through the generous support of our partners. Thank you for your leadership and commitment to Kentucky’s youth and to quality afterschool and summer learning programs.

Trailblazer Sponsor

Sponsor

Show your support for after school excellence and gain visibility among professionals statewide. We have lots of different opportunities available to suit all budgets.

Exhibit

Promote your services, products, or resources through interactive virtual booths featuring customizable branding, videos, downloads, and live chats.

Frequently Asked Questions

This is a fully virtual event—attend from anywhere with internet access.
Yes. A small registration fee helps cover costs and maintain program quality. View pricing here
Complete the registration form here.
Payments are accepted through Stripe, which supports major credit and debit cards including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and others.
No. Attend as your schedule allows, but pre-registration is required.
Cancellations must be submitted to kyafterschoolsummit@getvfairs.io. A 20% fee applies. Substitutions allowed until November 12-13, 2025. No refunds after this date.
Yes. A general schedule can be found here. A full agenda will be made available closer to the event date.
Yes. All sessions will be available on demand for registered attendees.
Yes. The platform includes virtual networking lounges and interactive features to connect with peers.
After registering, you'll receive login instructions. You’ll use your email to create a profile and access sessions and features.
No. The platform is browser-based—just ensure you have a strong internet connection.
Yes. The platform is mobile-friendly, though a laptop or desktop is preferred for best experience.
Use “Forgot Password” or contact support at kyafterschoolsummit@getvfairs.io. Live help will be available during the event.
Visit the Virtual Exhibit Hall to browse booths, download materials, and chat live with exhibitors.
Yes. All sessions will include captioning.
Yes. Certificates will be provided to all attendees following the event. The Summit has also been approved for ECE-TRIS credit.