The Wisconsin Partnership for Kids was established in fall 2024 to address a growing and urgent need: sustainable state funding for afterschool and summer programs. The idea for a statewide coalition, however, began taking shape well before that.

Following Wisconsin’s unprecedented $50 million Beyond the Classroom investment using COVID relief funds, it became clear just how transformative out-of-school time (OST) programs could be for children, families, and communities. When that temporary funding was exhausted, programs worked creatively to continue serving youth, but thousands of children were left without access. Recognizing both the impact of OST and the gaps that remained, leaders in the field began organizing for a long-term solution.

Nathan Beck of Madison-Area Out-of-School Time (MOST) and Rebecca Carlin of Wisconsin Youth Company (WYC) led early efforts to secure funding for a full-time, statewide organizer dedicated to OST advocacy. With support from the Madison Community Foundation, that vision became a reality. At the same time, Stan Kocos, a longtime leader with the Wisconsin Afterschool Network (now the Wisconsin Out-of-School Time Alliance, or WOSTA), secured Afterschool Alliance grant funding to expand outreach and build awareness across the state. This work led to the hiring of Daniel Gage in summer 2023 to help educate policymakers about OST and build a coalition of supporters.

Throughout 2024, collaboration among WOSTA, MOST, and WYC deepened as they worked together to define a path toward the ambitious goal of sustainable state funding for OST. In the fall of 2024, WOSTA launched the Wisconsin Partnership for Children and Youth (now the Wisconsin Partnership for Kids), forming a new entity to unify providers, discuss priorities, and coordinate advocacy efforts. Early work focused on building membership, increasing understanding of policy and advocacy, and creating opportunities for providers to connect, share, and learn from one another.

The Partnership’s capacity expanded significantly in early 2025 with the hiring of Jackie Scott as a full-time statewide organizer. With a dedicated organizer, the coalition accelerated its outreach, visiting programs, engaging providers, and building relationships with policymakers. Partnership leadership conducted dozens of meetings with state legislators, helping to increase awareness of both the impact of OST programs and the need for consistent, dedicated funding.

That momentum was tested in the summer of 2025, when federal funding for education programs, including more than $15 million for Wisconsin’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers, was unexpectedly withheld. The Partnership quickly mobilized, developing advocacy tools and convening supporters across the state. Wisconsin advocates joined a nationwide effort that successfully pushed the Office of Management and Budget to release the funds. The moment underscored both the power of coordinated advocacy and the fragility of existing funding streams, strengthening the Partnership’s resolve.

In the fall of 2025, the Partnership expanded its impact through new initiatives focused on awareness and leadership development. With support from the Afterschool Alliance, the Partnership announced mini-grants to support local Lights On Afterschool events across Wisconsin, many of which drew high-profile participation from state leaders and helped raise the profile of OST in communities statewide. At the same time, the newly launched Community Connectors Fellowship brought together a cohort of eight afterschool leaders for training, collaboration, and hands-on advocacy. The fellowship culminated in direct engagement with state legislators, establishing our first group of local, trained advocates.

The Partnership also worked to position OST as a key issue in broader public conversations. In spring of 2026, it hosted a gubernatorial candidate forum in Madison, drawing strong attendance and focusing attention on the role of afterschool and summer programs in supporting youth development, working families, academic success, and mental health.

While the Partnership is still in its early years, its impact is already evident. What began as a shared idea among a few leaders has grown into a statewide movement- one that is building connections across communities, strengthening advocacy at every level, and making the case for meaningful public investment in Wisconsin’s young people.

The work ahead remains significant. Ensuring equitable access to high-quality out-of-school time programs will require sustained collaboration, continued leadership development, and ongoing engagement with policymakers and communities alike. The Wisconsin Partnership for Kids is committed to that work, and to the belief that every child in Wisconsin deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive beyond the school day.