Research shows that high-quality OST programs keep youth safe, support academic growth and strengthen families. These programs help young people build essential skills for success in school, the workplace and life. For working families, OST programs provide a reliable and enriching environment where children are engaged, supported and cared for beyond the school day.
Wake Network of Care
The Wake Network of Care is a comprehensive, up to date Service Directory to locate needed services, organizations and support throughout Wake County.
Resources
Access to the right resources is essential for running successful programs. This resource library offers a carefully curated collection of up-to-date curricula, tools and materials designed to support OST providers, child care professionals, educators and families. Explore the catalog to find what you need to inspire learning and enhance your impact.
Disclaimer: The resources provided are for informational and educational purposes only. While we strive to ensure all resources are accurate, relevant, and up-to-date, inclusion does not constitute an endorsement of any specific organization, program or product. Users are encouraged to review and evaluate each resource to determine its suitability for their individual needs.
Essential Resources
- Afterschool Alliance – To expand support for quality afterschool programs, the Afterschool Alliance works with agencies, elected officials, businesses, 50 state afterschool networks, community leaders, and program providers across the nation to engage in research & publications, policy & advocacy, communications, and field-building.
- ExpandED Schools – ExpandED Schools is dedicated to ensuring that all young people in New York City have access to enriching programs that affirm their identities, teach them valuable skills, and spark new possibilities in and out of the school day. ExpandED provides K–12 programs with curricula and support, trains educators, and advances the sector through policy and research.
- National Afterschool Association (NAA) – The National Afterschool Association is the professional membership association for people who work with and for youth during Out-of-School Time. NAA fosters positive youth outcomes by supporting, developing, and advocating for afterschool professionals and leaders. It is the leading network of OST professionals.
- National Institute on Out-of-School Time (NIOST) – For 40 years, NIOST has been a leader in defining, shaping, and promoting out-of-school time (OST) as a distinct professional field with evidence-based quality standards. It bridges the worlds of research and practice to provide OST directors, staff, planners, school administrators, community leaders, and others with research, training, evaluation, and consultation to enhance and improve program quality.
- National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) – NSLA works to ensure all of America’s students, regardless of background, income, or zip code, can access and benefit from a high-quality summer learning experience every year.
- North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs (NC CAP) – Established in 2002, NC CAP is a comprehensive statewide afterschool and expanded learning network. Its key partners work together to increase access to high-quality afterschool and expanded learning programs for all children and youth in North Carolina, especially those at risk of educational failure.
Data & Evaluation
- Wake County Smart Start – WCSS works to improve the quality, accessibility, and affordability of childcare; provide preventive health and early intervention services; and offer family support services—all delivered as part of a strong, diverse, integrated early childhood system.
- Youth Today Evaluation Tools – For more than 35 years, Youth Today has published in-depth reporting on issues affecting youth including foster care and child welfare, juvenile justice, youth with disabilities, education, out-of-school time, and youth development. They have compiled a list of tools to evaluate programmatic data.
- Partnerships in Education & Resilience (PEAR) – PEAR has been a leader in resilience-based education for over 20 years, helping young people develop the skills they need to thrive in school, careers, and life. The Dimensions of Success observation tool pinpoints twelve indicators of STEM program quality in out-of-school time.
- The Forum for Youth Investment – The Forum works to advance equitable youth opportunities and outcomes through quality capacity building and policy action across systems and sectors. This page hosts a variety of resources designed to help you effectively observe and collect data.
- The Wallace Foundation – The Wallace Foundation’s mission is to help all communities build a more vibrant and just future by fostering advances in the arts, education leadership, and youth development.
Funding & Sustainability
- BOOST Cafe – BOOST Cafe is the most comprehensive online community for in- and out-of-school time educators. It is an extension of BOOST Collaborative and provides no-cost resources to support the community with relevant, timely, and easy-to-implement tools.
- Candid Philanthropy News Digest – Philanthropy News Digest (PND), a daily news service of Candid, is a compendium of philanthropy-related articles and features culled from print and electronic media outlets nationwide. It also includes job opportunities and Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
- John Rex Endowment – The John Rex Endowment strengthens organizations that center racial equity and justice to improve the social-emotional health of children living in Wake County.
- North Carolina Community Foundation – The North Carolina Community Foundation brings together generous people and connects them to causes and organizations they care about.
- Triangle Community Foundation – Triangle Community Foundation works with dedicated donors and strong nonprofits to guide gifts in a strategic way that fills gaps, reduces inequities, and addresses the region’s most pressing issues.
- United Way of the Greater Triangle – United Way of the Greater Triangle invests in community-driven solutions that advance racial and economic justice through three pillars: (1) Cradle to Career, (2) Healthy Families, and (3) Equity in Leadership.
Health, Safety & Nutrition
- Alliance for a Healthier Generation – For over 15 years, Healthier Generation has worked with schools, youth-serving organizations, businesses, communities, and families to promote environments that support whole child health. Their work has impacted 31.1 million children across the country by increasing access to nutritious foods, high-quality physical activity, social-emotional support, and tobacco-free environments.
- Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) – CATCH Global Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity founded in 2014 with support from the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) and MD Anderson Cancer Center, increases the availability and adoption of evidence-based health programs.
- Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) – EFNEP works with both youth and adults to teach self-sufficiency in the kitchen. From budgeting and grocery shopping to knife skills and nutrition, participants learn how to provide healthy, affordable, and delicious meals to their families.
- Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) – FRAC improves the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the U.S. through advocacy, partnerships, and bold, equitable policy solutions.
- Shop the Local Farmers Markets – Farmers' markets offer a variety of seasonal fruits, vegetables, meat, and bread. Residents can buy fresh, local, and healthy foods at Wake County farmers' markets.
- Urban Ministries of Wake County – Since 1981, Urban Ministries of Wake County has responded to neighbors in crisis by providing food, medicine, and shelter. Their work goes beyond immediate needs, helping clients build a higher quality of life.
- Wake County Cooperative Extension’s Community Food Systems – Wake County Food System strategies aim to ensure that all residents have access to affordable, nutritious food.
- Wake County Food Finder – Includes a map of local food resources in Wake County.
Professional Development
- Afterschool Coaching for Reflective Educators in STEM (ACRES) – ACRES is a nationally acclaimed coaching program that builds knowledge and skills so afterschool educators, librarians, and others working with youth in out-of-school settings can confidently facilitate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) experiences. Participation helps educators build facilitation skills and confidence in STEM.
- Center for Family and Community Engagement (CFACE) – CFACE is a public service and research center at NC State University. Since 2008, it has worked to build safe, healthy, and productive families and communities across North Carolina.
- Foundations, Inc. – For over 30 years, Foundations has built and shared expertise in learning across the full day and led a movement for educational innovation and program design. Their vision is to create a brighter future for every child by strengthening and supporting the adults—teachers and afterschool educators—who work with them.
- Public School Forum of North Carolina – For nearly 40 years, the Forum has served as a nonpartisan champion for better schools. It convenes leaders from business, education, and government to study issues, develop ideas, seek consensus, and shape education policy. Programs include the NC Center for Afterschool Programs, Flood Center for Educational Equity, and NC Center for Resilience and Learning, among others.
- Search Institute – The Search Institute focuses on the potential of young people—their unique strengths, passions, and the possibilities that arise with the right support.
- The Aspen Institute – The Aspen Institute ignites human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world.
Program Design & Activities
- Jobs for the Future (JFF) – JFF’s Possible Futures—Career Exploration Curriculum helps learners in grades 6–10 develop essential employability skills, explore STEM occupations, and better understand themselves and the world of work.
- Mizzen Education – Mizzen Education, Inc. is a nonprofit that empowers and supports out-of-school time educators. Its free digital platform, built with practitioners, offers thousands of curated K–12 activities across STEM, arts, youth voice, and media literacy to spark curiosity, joy, and learning.
- National 4-H Council – Delivered by Cooperative Extension—a community of more than 100 public universities across the U.S.—4-H provides hands-on experiences where young people learn by doing. For over 100 years, 4-H has welcomed youth of all backgrounds, giving them a voice to express themselves and contribute to their communities.
- North Carolina Center for Nonprofits – Founded in 1990, the NC Center for Nonprofits works to strengthen nonprofit organizations across the state by encouraging collaboration and supporting the broader nonprofit sector.
- Teen Science Café (TSC) – TSCs are free out-of-school time programs where teens and STEM experts collaborate through presentations and hands-on activities to explore science topics in depth.
Staff Recruitment & Retention
- Activate Good – A Triangle-based nonprofit that connects people who want to help with causes that need support, bridging the gap between compassion and impact.
- American Institutes for Research (AIR) – A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization conducting behavioral and social science research and delivering technical assistance to address urgent challenges in the U.S. and worldwide.
- NCWorks Career Center – A central resource hub for job seekers offering support with employment searches, skill development, and career planning.
- Wake County Economic Development – The primary economic development organization for Wake County, providing support and resources to its 12 municipalities.
Transportation
- GoWake Smart Ride – Offers free rideshare options for residents of Zebulon, Wendell, Knightdale, and surrounding areas.
- GoTriangle – Provides public transportation in a rapidly growing region, delivering high-quality services and infrastructure to meet community needs.
- Lyft Concierge – Allows families to send, schedule, and monitor Lyft rides.
- HopSkipDrive – Supports over 10,000 schools with transportation solutions tailored to meet the needs of staff and students.
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