Oklahoma Afterschool Network

The Oklahoma Afterschool Network, founded in 2002, works to make sure children and youth across the state can reach safe, enriching after-school and summer learning. It links both families and program providers to the resources they need.

What it offers

• Help for families searching for quality after-school and summer programs
• Resources and support for the providers who run those programs
• A statewide focus on safe, enriching out-of-school time
• Connections that tie communities to available learning opportunities
• A central hub for information on out-of-school programming

Who it is for

The network resources are open to all Oklahoma families as well as the organizations that operate youth programs. It is useful for parents who want help finding after-school options in their area and for providers looking to strengthen what they offer. Rather than running programs itself, the network improves the wider system, which benefits communities where quality options are limited or hard to locate. Families new to a town, in particular, may find it a helpful place to start. Additional details are posted on the official site.

The network’s resources are open to every Oklahoma family as well as the organizations that operate youth programs, so there is no eligibility screen to pass; a parent looking for options and a provider looking to strengthen a program can both draw on the same statewide support. Because the network improves the wider system rather than running programs itself, it is especially useful for families new to a town who are not sure where to begin.

Getting started

Families and providers can begin by using the resources on the website or reaching out through the contact form. The network can help point parents toward after-school programs and connect providers with training and support to raise program quality. As a statewide coordinating body, it is a good starting place for anyone navigating out-of-school time in Oklahoma, whether they are seeking a program or building one.

Before you reach out

Because the network improves the wider system rather than running programs itself, a family gets the most from it by naming what it is looking for. Knowing the child’s age, the part of the state, and whether the need is after-school or summer helps the network point parents toward fitting options.

Providers can prepare in a different way. An organization that runs, or hopes to run, a youth program can come with questions about training and quality supports, since the network connects providers to resources as well as families. Additional details are posted on the official site.

For families new to a town, the network is a sensible first stop before combing through options one by one, since it can point toward quality after-school and summer programs in the area. It helps to reach out ahead of the season a family is planning for, so there is time to compare programs and enroll before spots fill. Because it works with programs across the state, the network can also help a family understand what a quality after-school setting looks like, which is useful when comparing more than one option in the same area.

Reaching out is simple. Families and providers begin by using the resources on the website or the contact form, and it helps to come ready with a few specifics, such as a child’s age, the part of the state, and whether the need is after-school or summer care, so the network can point toward fitting options. Getting in touch ahead of the season a family is planning for leaves time to compare programs and enroll before spots fill.

Frequently asked questions

Does the network run programs itself?

No. It connects families and providers to resources rather than operating programs directly. Its focus is improving the wider system.

How can it help my family?

It can help point you toward quality after-school and summer programs in your area, which is useful if you are new to town. Naming your needs helps it focus the search.

Can it help program providers too?

Yes. It offers resources and support to the organizations that run youth programs across the state. Providers can ask about training and quality supports.

How do I get in touch?

Use the resources on the website or the contact form to reach out. Additional details are on the official site.