SAMHSA’s national youth substance use prevention campaign helps parents, caregivers, educators, and community members get informed, be prepared, and take action to prevent underage drinking and other substance use. Out-of-school time programs can use the campaign's short videos, fact sheets, brochures, and podcasts to inform their own efforts and to share with families. 

• Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• Resource Type: Evidence-Based Practices, Implementation Strategies, Research
• Year: 2026

Out-of-school time programs can use these short videos and discussion guides during a family, partner, or community event to demonstrate situations where parents and caregivers, program staff, volunteers, and other adult role models could have a conversation about alcohol with children and adolescents.

• Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• Resource Type: Implementation Strategies
• Year: 2026

These toolkits from SAMHSA's "Talk. They Hear You."® campaign include everything needed to plan, prepare, and host a session that informs parents and caregivers about underage drinking and drug use — and prepares them to talk with their children about these issues. Out-of-school time programs and community partners can use these materials to facilitate a session, either virtually or in person. 

• Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
• Resource Type: Implementation Strategies
• Year: 2026

This quick overview of information about bullying (available in English and Spanish) can be used by out-of-school time programs to support the development of program policies around bullying.

• Source: CDC
• Resource Type: Evidence-Based Practices
• Year: 2024

• Source: US Department of Education
• Resource Type:

This article summarizes findings around active learning and its benefits for students of all ages. It includes insights into how and when various active learning approaches could be effective and engaging.
 

• Source: Science
• Resource Type: Research
• Year: 2021

This webpage includes free resources to help you bring NASA's Afterschool Universe astronomy program to the middle-schoolers in your out-of-school time program.

• Source: NASA
• Resource Type: Implementation Strategies

This webpage collects resources related to a recurring national survey on afterschool and summer program demand and supply. The reports and data gathered here show a clear need for out-of-school time programs across the country. 

• Source: Afterschool Alliance
• Resource Type: Leadership and Management Practices, Research
• Year: 2025

This webpage describes possible opportunities to engage AmeriCorps volunteers to help grow or sustain your out-of-school time program. AmeriCorps supports educational, health, Native Nations, and rural efforts with "people power" (and some funding).

• Source: AmeriCorps
• Resource Type: Implementation Strategies, Innovation and Best Practices
• Year: 2026

This guidance document and "Dear Colleague" letter discuss myths and facts surrounding the use of assistive technology for students with disabilities, based on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Out-of-school time programs may wish to integrate these materials into their staff training on supporting students with disabilities.

• Source: U.S. Department of Education
• Resource Type: Leadership and Management Practices, Policy/Guidance Documents
• Year: 2024

This 1-hour online module examines the ABC (antecedent-behavior-consequence) model for understanding student behavior, which illustrates how environmental factors can influence behaviors before and after they occur. 

• Source: IRIS Center at Vanderbilt University's Peabody College
• Resource Type: Implementation Strategies, Innovation and Best Practices, Research
• Year: 2024

This guide provides resources to support students' behavioral health and well-being. It is a learning resource to deepen understanding of various challenges affecting youth today, including bullying and self-harm, as well as ways to identify and help youth cope with these issues. 
 

• Source: Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network
• Resource Type: Best Practices, Implementation Strategies
• Year: 2022