Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time (VPOST)

Mission:
VPOST, the Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time, is a statewide public-private partnership dedicated to developing and expanding academic, social, emotional, and physical supports and services for school-age children and youth across Virginia, including Louisa County and surrounding regions. The organization’s mission is to build a network of out-of-school time (OST) providers to improve quality, promote leadership, and ensure access to OST programs throughout the Commonwealth.

Who They Serve:

• School-age children and youth across Virginia, including those in Louisa County and neighboring areas.
• OST program providers, educators, and community organizations seeking to improve or expand afterschool, before-school, summer, and vacation-period programming.

Core Services and Programs:

• Professional Development:
• Annual statewide conference for OST professionals, featuring workshops and networking opportunities.
• Customized technical assistance trainings for OST providers, focusing on quality improvement and best practices.
• Quality Standards & Support:
• Guidance and resources on the 10 Quality Standards for Virginia Out-of-School Time Programs.
• "A Year of OST Quality" Community of Practice, offering monthly meetings for afterschool educators to analyze and apply quality standards in their programs.
• Policy & Advocacy:
• Leadership in state and local policy initiatives to increase funding and support for OST programs.
• Coordination of awareness events and advocacy campaigns to promote the value of afterschool and summer learning.
• Resource Coordination:
• Childcare Licensure Guide and Quality Standards documentation for providers.
• OST Access Map Project to help families and providers locate available programs.
• Special Initiatives:
• Youth STEM Ambassadors Program, supporting youth engagement in science, technology, engineering, and math.
• Youth Entrepreneurship Strategy, fostering entrepreneurial skills among young people.

Eligibility & Service Area:

• Services are available to OST providers, educators, and organizations serving school-age youth in Virginia, including Louisa County and its neighboring regions.
• Families and youth in Louisa County can benefit from improved access to high-quality OST programs as a result of VPOST’s statewide initiatives.

Additional Information:

• VPOST convenes a broad network of members and partners, including local school systems, YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, and other community organizations.
• The organization’s work is informed by ongoing professional development, research, and collaboration with state agencies and advocacy groups.