The South Dakota Afterschool Network works to better our state and its communities by connecting providers, parents and policymakers with proven tools and resources to increase the quality of and access to out-of-school time programming for K-12 children and youth.

Afterschool is a lifeline that keeps youth safe, helps kids learn and grow, and provides parents the ability to work without worry. While South Dakota is home to more than 300 afterschool programs, the demand for programs exceeds available spaces. In fact, 1 in 3 South Dakota children (34 percent) who are not in an afterschool program would be enrolled if it were available. That’s more than 42,000 children who are missing out on opportunities to participate in programming that supports their development academically, socially and economically.

Afterschool can provide valuable opportunities for students to explore STEM, and we are here to help your program succeed in STEM Learning! From webinars and trainings to our signature TMC Trailers that bring turnkey STEM activities to your doorstep, our diverse collection of resources meets you and your students where you are and provides the support you need to deliver quality programming to your students at any age. 

The South Dakota Afterschool Network wanted to create a mapping tool to better understand the landscape of afterschool and summer programs available for children and families. From the initial launch of the new mapping tool, we have identified some startling findings.

Afterschool Day at the Capitol 2020

We celebrated Afterschool Day at the Capitol on February 5, 2020! One day is set aside every year during the legislative session for Out-of-School Time (OST) professionals and programs to assemble in the capitol rotunda in Pierre to celebrate Afterschool Day at the Capitol. Last year’s theme was “Bring Your Best.”  This event is coordinated by the South Dakota Afterschool Network (SDAN) and the South Dakota School-Age Care Alliance (SoDakSACA) to bring awareness of the importance of afterschool to South Dakota’s legislative body. Programs set up booths and demonstrations highlighting the benefits of afterschool to South Dakota families, schools, communities, and economy. Governor Kristi Noem took time from her busy day to visit with program representatives on a cold February day in 2019.

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