Afterschool Alliance

10/14/2026

Meta has agreed to pay $17.1 billion to settle claims about the mental health harms of social media use—and the settlement names afterschool programs as a recommended use of the funds. We've compiled resources to help advocates seize this opportunity: https://bit.ly/3W0fZnm

10/13/2026

Yeah! ✨

Usher knows how transformative afterschool programs can be. His experience even inspired him to start Usher's New Look, a non-profit transforming the lives of underserved youth. It’s one of the reasons we’re so excited to have him back for the third year in a row as honorary chair of Lights On Afterschool—our nationwide day of action showcasing the impact of afterschool.

Participating in Lights On Afterschool is a great way to support afterschool programs—just like Usher! Learn more about how you can get involved this October 22nd: https://bit.ly/3W3zF9U

10/12/2026

Mark your calendar for 10/15 @ 3 p.m. ET! Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance, will be speaking on American Enterprise Institute's webinar on the federal tax scholarship. Register:

With the landmark federal scholarship tax credit set to take effect in January, experts discuss where things stand and what still needs to happen.

10/12/2026

"[It] should be used to support the things that keep kids from reaching crisis, and from needing social media to feel like they belong somewhere."

“Let’s spend these settlement dollars helping kids.”

Afterschool advocates in Georgia speak out about how they think their state should spend Meta's settlement money:

The $17 billion Meta settlement should be spent on mental health support for children and paying for aftershool and summer school programs to create community for children.

10/09/2026

Lights On Afterschool (our annual national showcase for afterschool programs) is around the corner! 💡 On October 22nd, programs across the country will host events and take action to support and celebrate afterschool—and it’s not too late to get involved! Learn how: https://afterschoolalliance.org/loa.cfm

10/09/2026

Welcome to the Policy Pulse! Every second Friday at noon ET, our own Senior VP of Policy, Erik Peterson, will recap the latest policy developments, what we know (or don’t know!) about how they may impact afterschool and summer programs, and what may be coming up next.

Submit your questions in advance so we know what’s top of mind for you: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScatCxIspYzqu7wSl2T-OWV2iipwr4CHsZF8Ttyn2UDbD_4jQ/viewform

10/08/2026

NEW RESOURCES: It’s an afterschool funding round-up! Check out the latest state funding wins across the country, a database to help you track down federal dollars your program might be eligible for, and tools to keep your organization financially strong:

It’s a funding round-up! Check out the latest state funding wins from across the country, a database to help you track down federal dollars your program might already be eligible for, and tools

10/07/2026

Meta’s $17.1 billion settlement to address young people’s mental health is both a wake-up call and an opportunity.

These funds are a chance to not only hold these platforms accountable but also to ensure that the resources are used to actually help young people heal, reconnect, and thrive. It’s why the settlement explicitly names afterschool programs as an eligible use of the funds. Kids need a healthy alternative to social media. And afterschool programs provide a safe, welcoming place for kids to interact with other kids and connect with caring mentors.

Read more from the coalition working to ensure these social media settlement funds go to repair harm and help young people thrive: https://fundirl.org/

10/06/2026

Need ideas for how to celebrate the 27th annual Lights On Afterschool on October 22nd?

We’ve got one for you: How about a carnival?

Last year the Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center and Twin Rivers Unified School District hosted more than 600 people for a fall carnival with arts and crafts, pumpkin decorating, face painting, and more. There's nothing like a fun fall carnival to show off all the ways your afterschool program supports kids and families!

Read more about some of last year’s fun events:

We’re 4 weeks away from the 27th annual celebration of Lights On Afterschool!  There's never been a better time for afterschool programs to take some time to show off to their

10/06/2026

“We believe resources resulting from social media litigation should be used to strengthen the programs, places, relationships and supports that help young people thrive in real life. That includes afterschool and summer programs, sports and recreation, outdoor experiences, arts, mentoring, libraries, youth leadership and other positive youth development opportunities.”

Read more about what afterschool advocates in New Hampshire have to say about where their state should spend Meta's settlement money: https://bit.ly/4hD7IwL