School’s Out Washington is a leading voice for equitable and high-quality expanded learning opportunities in Washington state. We advocate for policies and funding that elevate the entire field of youth development while centering the needs of Black, Indigenous and youth of color (BIPOC) and others furthest from educational justice.
Like any essential system, youth development requires resources, reliable data, and dedicated funding to deliver high-quality, equitable programming for Washington’s youth.
Investing in afterschool and summer programs means investing in Washington’s future. Young people spend most of their time outside school, yet access to high-quality youth programs remains limited, especially in BIPOC and rural communities. It’s time for Washington legislators to prioritize youth development and ensure resources reach all young people. Funding youth development means providing equitable opportunities for our youth to reach the future they envision. The time to show up, act, and invest in our youth is now.
High quality youth programs have the power to transform lives and strengthen communities.
Youth programs already reinforce the academic, social-emotional, and prevention goals of many state and local agencies. They are part of an upstream, holistic approach to building and maintaining support systems that invest early in the strengths of children and young people. Yet there is no state infrastructure currently supporting the youth development field and its workforce. And both public/private funding streams are extremely limited.
Young people in Washington faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic. The impact on their mental health and well-being has left a profound mark. Families, educators, and youth workers report increasing challenges as young people navigate academic struggles and rising anxiety.
Youth programs meet young people where they are—providing the support they need to thrive and develop the critical social and emotional competencies they need for lifelong success.
Youth programs do more than benefit young people—they empower families. By providing a safe, enriching space for youth after school, these programs enable caregivers to dedicate their attention to work and professional advancement, fostering stability and success for families.
When young people lack access to after-school programs while caregivers work, older siblings often step into caregiving roles for younger family members. This responsibility comes at a significant cost, denying them opportunities to participate in activities that promote learning, explore new passions, and build positive peer connections that can set back their personal growth and potential.
Youth programs are the foundation of strong communities. They fill critical gaps, providing safe, culturally responsive, and enriching environments that benefit everyone.
80% of young people’s time is spent outside of the classroom. (Afterschool Alliance)
By fostering workforce skills, career exploration, and hands-on experience, these programs help prepare youth for success—strengthening both individual futures and community resilience.
Join the Youth Development Strategy Table. The Youth Development Strategy Table is a coalition of public and non-profit stakeholders working to establish a focused state-level youth development effort to sustain early learning gains, improve academic and social-emotional outcomes, and prevent deep end system involvement. Learn more.
National Afterschool Association (NAA).
SOWA is the Washington state affiliate of NAA. NAA is the membership association for professionals who work with children and youth in diverse school and community-based settings to provide a wide variety of extended learning opportunities and care during out-of-school hours.
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