Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network

09/04/2026

Strengthening PA’s Afterschool Caucus 2.0 🙌🏽

Great meeting with Sen. Patty Kim to discuss the critical role afterschool and summer programs play in supporting students, families, and communities across the Commonwealth.
✔️Invest in Afterschool
✔️Afterschool makes an Impact

09/01/2026

PSAYDN Special Alert: Pennsylvania Reaches Historic Meta Settlement Focused on Protecting Youth: Pennsylvania Expected to Receive More Than $500 Million
https://hubs.ly/Q04w5SXb0

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced a historic multistate settlement with Meta aimed at strengthening protections for children and teens using social media. The agreement addresses concerns about the impact of social media platforms on young people and requires significant changes to how Meta’s Instagram and Facebook platforms serve younger users.

Pennsylvania is expected to receive $516 million over a period of years, with the potential for that amount to increase to as much as $729 million. Nationally, the settlement could involve up to $17.1 billion in remediation payments. The settlement remains subject to court approval.

Afterschool programs are uniquely positioned to provide young people with supportive relationships, opportunities to connect with peers, hands-on learning, physical activity, STEM and career-connected experiences, and other meaningful alternatives to excessive screen time.

The significant funding Pennsylvania is expected to receive also raises an important question for organizations serving children and youth: How will Pennsylvania ultimately use its share of the settlement funds? As decisions surrounding these resources develop, PSAYDN will continue to monitor opportunities to elevate the role that afterschool and summer programs can play in supporting youth well-being, prevention, healthy development and safe communities.

Read the full alert for more details on the settlement and potential impact on and programs.

08/27/2026

If you are an afterschool program, recreation program, youth club or other community youth organization, please join us September 2 for a free information session about the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) for Community Youth Organizations. https://hubs.ly/Q04vxQ1d0

OBPP can help your organization create an environment where young people feel safe, respected and included—and get an inside look at the upcoming OBPP Community Youth Organization Coach Course on September 22-23 in Camp Hill, PA.

What does the Coach Course provide?
Participants learn practical, research-informed approaches to preventing and addressing bullying, including:
- 10 strategies addressing assessment, training, rules, supervision, conversations and connections with youth and families.
- Effective on-the-spot intervention when bullying occurs.
- Training and resources to prepare staff and volunteers.
- 50+ tools and resources to support implementation.
- A customized game plan for your organization.
- Up to 18 months of consultation with an OBPP mentor.

08/25/2026

Join us!

WEDNESDAY: We break down the latest data about how afterschool programs are incorporating STEM learning opportunities—and where gaps still persist.

Sign up for the webinar: https://aa3pm.co/stem-webinar

08/17/2026

, the August PSAYDN Youth Development Digest includes new USDOE career pathways and workforce readiness priorities; Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award; and other valuable and Updates. https://hubs.ly/Q04tddJ40

Become a PSAYDN member to receive the Digest directly to your inbox!

08/14/2026

📣 Center for Schools and Communities is hiring! Join the Pennsylvania Migrant Education Program. https://hubs.ly/Q04t5lZC0

Center for Schools and Communities is seeking a bilingual Statewide Recruiter to connect migrant students and families across Pennsylvania with educational services and community resources that can help them thrive.

This field-based role is ideal for someone who is bilingual and biliterate in Spanish and English, enjoys building relationships, and wants to make a meaningful difference for families.

Position highlights:
📍 Home- and field-based with travel in assigned counties
⏰ 35 hours/week
💵 $21/hour + health benefits
🚗 Travel expenses reimbursed

Know someone who would be a great fit? Please share this opportunity with your network!

Center for Schools & Communities

07/24/2026

Today we celebrate PSAYDN STEM Ambassador Eritrea Abdul-hadi, Founder and Executive Director, One Eritrea’s Care | IYS STEAF School of Excellence! https://hubs.ly/Q04qGbJM0

Eritrea is a systems builder, strategist, and advocate passionate about turning ideas into impact. With a commitment to equity and empowerment, she designs and leads programs that open doors for youth, families, and communities to thrive.
Her work bridges vision and ex*****on – aligning partners, resources, and people to create sustainable change.

Eritrea shared about being an ambassador, “The most valuable takeaway from this session was being introduced to practical frameworks that I can apply directly to my STEM programming. Equally valuable was learning more about PSAYDN as an organization and its commitment to building lasting partnerships.”

Thank you, Eritrea!

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07/23/2026

Today we celebrate STEM Ambassador Anthony Michael Russell Edmond-Pinckney, STEM/STEAM Tutor-NASA Ambassador Teacher, Academic Plus Tutoring! https://hubs.ly/Q04qxJQZ0

Anthony Michael Russell Edmond-Pinckney, http://M.Ed., is an innovative educator, STEM leader, and curriculum developer with more than 23 years of experience advancing science education and expanding opportunities for diverse learners. A self-described non-traditional STEM educator, he creates engaging, culturally relevant, project-based learning experiences that connect science to real-world challenges.

Anthony has developed interdisciplinary curricula spanning Life Science, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Biotechnology, Forensic Science, Climate Change, and Computer Science. He holds professional credentials in multiple science disciplines, along with micro-credentials in Climate Change and Computer Science and STEM education credentialing through the Tiger Woods Foundation.

Anthony reflected on the program, “I just want to say thank you for picking me to be part of this program. It helped me to sharpen my skills!”

Thanks, Anthony!

STEM Next Opportunity Fund

07/22/2026

Today we celebrate STEM Ambassador Timothy Frank, Director of Community Engagement at Johnson College. https://hubs.ly/Q04qdNpc0

Tim is a strength-focused, community-driven professional with over a decade of experience in education and community engagement. He currently serves as director of community engagement at Johnson College, where he leads strategic initiatives that connect students, educators, and community partners through innovative programming.

Throughout his career, Tim has developed and managed impactful programs including STEM education initiatives, summer learning experiences, and workforce development partnerships, reaching hundreds of students annually. He brings expertise in leadership, grant management, staff development, and community building, with a proven ability to grow programs, secure funding, and foster meaningful collaboration.

Thank you, Tim!

STEM Next Opportunity Fund

07/21/2026

Today we celebrate STEM Ambassador Maisha Sturdivant, Vice President, Operations, STEM Coding Lab, https://hubs.ly/Q04q4Dg_0

Maisha Sturdivant believes a zip code should never define a child’s future. After more than 20 years leading healthcare technology initiatives, she joined STEM Coding Lab (SCL) in 2024 to help expand opportunities for young people through STEM education.

During her IT career, Maisha led large-scale technology projects and managed multimillion-dollar portfolios. Although she had no formal technology training, an early career opportunity revealed an unexpected passion for software development. That experience shaped her belief that many children have untapped potential simply because they lack exposure to STEM.

“The most valuable takeaway I gained were three: building new relationships within my chosen field – supporting youth education, drafting resources for public consumption, and participating in public advocacy.”

Thank you, Maisha!

STEM Next Opportunity Fund