Resources
“Out-of-school time (OST) programs operate ten hours or more per week on an on-going basis serving school-age (K-12) children. OST programs provide regularly scheduled, structured and supervised activities where learning opportunities take place outside the typical school day. OST programs may occur before school, after school, weekends, or during seasonal and track breaks.”
Types of Advocacy
Influencing current policy of the chief executive or an administrative agency by:
- Addressing the need for programs (sustain or new)
- Working to change how funds are allocated and spent in agency programs
- Testifying at agency hearings on proposed regulations
- Serving on advisory groups
- Contacting key staff on a regular basis
Influencing policy change through the legislative branch of government by:
- Providing draft legislation to be introduced or commenting on legislation
- Testifying at committee hearings
- Asking legislators to support or oppose legislation
- Engaging in budget discussions
Influencing candidates' and voter's opinions on issues of importance by:
- Raising the visibility of an issue during electoral campaigns
- Encouraging candidates to create a platform on a particular issue
- Encouraging voters to view candidate positions and vote accordingly