How can out-of-school time (OST) programs create environments where every young person feels welcome, valued, and supported? In this episode, Karin Wolfe sits down with Chaz Sumners, Technical Assistance Liaison with the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) National Technical Assistance Center (NTAC), to discuss meaningful inclusion, common misconceptions about supporting youth with disabilities, and practical strategies OST professionals can use to foster belonging and participation. From building developmental relationships to selecting individualized supports, this conversation explores how inclusive practices help every young person succeed. 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

• Legal Foundations for Including Students With Disabilities in 21st CCLC Programs 
• Guiding Positive Student Behavior 

In the final installment of our series with the Missouri AfterSchool Network, host Karin Wolfe continues the conversation with program leaders about the role community partnerships and workforce readiness experiences play in helping students prepare for the future. 

Guests discuss how afterschool programs connect students with leadership opportunities, career exploration experiences, mentorship, and real-world learning that extends beyond the classroom. The conversation also highlights the importance of relationship building, student exploration, and community collaboration in creating meaningful opportunities for young people. 

This episode features reflections on the long-term impact of afterschool programs and the ways intentional partnerships can help students build confidence, develop new skills, and better understand future pathways available to them. 

Guests include: 

• Katie Schiefelbein, Hollister R-V School District 
• Peter Gioia, Mission: St. Louis Beyond School 
• Tracy Ross, Van Buren R-1 School District 
• Mark Cowsert, Missouri AfterSchool Network 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

• The Missouri AfterSchool Network’s Resource Library (career awareness and youth entrepreneurship): https://moafterschool.org/resource-library 
• VentureLab (entrepreneurship-related curriculum and tools): https://venturelab.org  
• 220 Youth Leadership (leadership development programs): https://www.220leadership.com  

In Part 3 of our series with the Missouri AfterSchool Network, host Karin Wolfe sits down with program leaders serving rural, urban, and small-town communities across Missouri to explore what meaningful student engagement looks like in middle and high school afterschool programs. 

Guests share how student voice and choice, relationship building, hands-on learning, leadership opportunities, and career exploration experiences are helping young people discover their interests and future pathways. From entrepreneurship and virtual-reality career simulations to service learning and college visits, this episode highlights how afterschool programs create space for students to explore, connect, and grow. 

This episode also examines how afterschool professionals intentionally create environments where young people feel heard, supported, and empowered to think about their future goals in authentic and meaningful ways. 

Guests include: 

• Katie Schiefelbein, Hollister R-V School District 
• Peter Gioia, Mission: St. Louis Beyond School 
• Tracy Ross, Van Buren R-1 School District 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

• The Missouri AfterSchool Network’s Resource Library (career awareness and youth entrepreneurship): https://moafterschool.org/resource-library 
• VentureLab (entrepreneurship-related curriculum and tools): https://venturelab.org  
• 220 Youth Leadership (leadership development programs): https://www.220leadership.com  

In Part 2 of the conversation with the Missouri AfterSchool Network, Mark Cowsert, the network’s associate director of partnerships, shares how statewide strategy, strong partnerships, and data-driven decision-making are shaping youth workforce development across Missouri. 

Building on his experience as a 21st CCLC program director, Mark highlights how Missouri has expanded opportunities for middle and high school students through intentional investments, resource alignment, and a focus on quality. 

This episode explores how programs can better engage older youth through voice and choice, real-world experiences, and career-connected learning. Mark also shares insights on the importance of attendance and engagement, the role of partnerships in scaling impact, and how afterschool programs can serve as a critical space for students to explore career pathways. 

Whether you’re just getting started or you’re looking to grow your approach, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiration for strengthening youth workforce initiatives in out-of-school time. 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

• The Missouri AfterSchool Network’s Resource Library (career awareness and youth entrepreneurship): https://moafterschool.org/resource-library 
• VentureLab (entrepreneurship-related curriculum and tools): https://venturelab.org  
• 220 Youth Leadership (leadership development programs): https://www.220leadership.com  

In this first episode of a three-part series with the Missouri AfterSchool Network, host Karin Wolfe speaks with Aaron Banks, the network’s workforce development and entrepreneurship lead, about how out-of-school time programs can support college and career readiness for middle and high school students. 

Aaron shares how his journey from law enforcement to teaching and entrepreneurship shaped his approach to youth workforce development. Throughout the conversation, he highlights how afterschool programs create space for students to build leadership skills, explore career interests, and develop the confidence needed for future success. 

This episode also explores how youth leadership initiatives, entrepreneurship experiences, and strong community partnerships can help students discover new possibilities and begin preparing for life beyond high school. 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Missouri Afterschool Network Resource Library (Career Awareness & Youth Entrepreneurship): https://moafterschool.org/resource-library/
• VentureLab (Entrepreneurship Curriculum & Tools): https://venturelab.org/
• 220 Youth Leadership (Leadership Development Programs): https://www.220leadership.com/

In Part 2 of our conversation with Chad Norton, deputy director of the Wellesley Recreation Department, we explore how parks and recreation programs intentionally blend fun, enrichment, academics, and workforce development while staying, as Chad puts it, “relationship driven more than outcome driven.” 

Chad shares real-world examples of integrating STEM, literacy, and math into recreational settings, supporting teen staff as emerging professionals, and building strong partnerships with schools, libraries, and community organizations. 

This episode highlights how recreation departments and 21st CCLC programs can align efforts to create seamless pathways for students from summer learning to career readiness, while keeping youth engagement and strong relationships at the center of the work. 

In Episode 9 of Inside Out-of-School Time, host Karin Wolfe dives into how parks and recreation programs play a powerful — and often overlooked — role in youth development. She’s joined by Chad Norton, deputy director of the Wellesley Recreation Department in Massachusetts. In Part 1 of the two-part conversation, Karin and Chad explore how recreation programs support social-emotional growth, behavioral development, and a comprehensive learning approach. 

Chad also shares how summer camps and recreation programs operate in the “in-between spaces” — before school, after school, on weekends, and during the summer — and why those moments are critical for building trust, connection, and essential life skills. This episode highlights the natural alignment between parks and recreation departments, OST programs, and 21st CCLC initiatives, setting the stage for deeper collaboration across systems that serve young people.  

In Episode 8 of Inside Out-of-School Time, host Karin Wolfe reconnects with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain — this time with Laquitta Staton, Vice President of Grants and Government Partnerships. 

Laquitta reflects on this year’s Lights On Afterschool celebrations, shares stories of family engagement and community partnerships, and offers insights into how 21st CCLC funding strengthens academic support, sustainability, and staff development across her organization’s programs. 

This episode highlights the power of collaboration, communication, and strategic planning in sustaining high-quality out-of-school time programs that keep the lights shining all year long. 

In this special Inside Out-of-School Time episode, host Karin Wolfe sits down with Heather Joyner, vice president of operations and programs for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain in North Carolina, to explore how Lights On Afterschool inspires connection, creativity, and community impact. 

Heather shares how her team prepares for Lights On Afterschool — from teen-led music showcases to family events such as Brushes & Bites and the Core Memory Carnival — and how youth voice, family engagement, and partnerships bring these celebrations to life. 

Learn how this annual event, hosted nationally by the Afterschool Alliance, shines a spotlight on the importance of afterschool programs and the incredible work being done across 21st Century Community Learning Centers and local communities. 

👉 For more information or to get involved, visit afterschoolalliance.org/loa.cfm. 

In Part 3 of this three-part series, Inside Out-of-School Time hosts Karin Wolfe and Cappella Brown conclude their conversation with Johanna Friedel, former project director for the Texas Afterschool Centers on Education at Greenville ISD. This episode focuses on the “Evaluate” and “Extend” phases of the 5E instructional model — where students demonstrate understanding, reflect on progress, and apply skills to real-world contexts. 

Johanna shares how OST programs can use reflection tools, family engagement, and community connections to reinforce learning and support lasting growth. Whether you’re assessing student outcomes or designing opportunities to extend learning beyond your program, tune in for practical strategies to activate your students’ curiosity and strengthen your program’s impact. 

Don’t miss the final episode of our conversation with Johanna. Tune in today!