Dawn Hunt, North Dakota Out-of-School Time (OST) Network Lead, recently traveled to Washington D.C. and met with the ND legislative staff to advocate for out-of-school time programs. This visit was part of a larger national advocacy movement – After School for All – Day on the Hill. This annual day of advocacy helps strengthen relationships with and educate federal policy makers on the vitality of OST programs and the need for support.
OST Programs Matter
Out-of-school time programs are a lifeline for North Dakota communities. Lori Zahradka, National Afterschool Ambassador and Project Director at North Valley Career and Technical Center, traveled with Hunt for the legislative visits and came armed with stories of impact citing her work with high school-aged youth.
After decades of research, the widespread benefits of OST programs for all youth, from kindergarten to twelfth grade, are not up for debate. Hunt summarized:
Out-of-school time programs not only provide a safe, structured environment for our youth – they also boost academic achievement and foster social-emotional growth. These programs improve school engagement, offer mentorship, and provide peace of mind for parents, ultimately delivering a high return on investment for communities.
A 2025 national survey demonstrates that North Dakota parents strongly agree with Hunt’s summary. And yet, OST program funding has faced challenges over the last several years. Most recently, the Trump Administration proposed the elimination of 21st Century Community Learning Center (21CCLC) funding in the Fiscal Year 2027 “Skinny” Budget Proposal. This is the second year in a row that this cut has been proposed by the Trump Administration. The federal threat to OST funding is especially troubling as North Dakota does not have any state-level funding dedicated to out-of-school time programs.
Legislative Visits
Hunt and Zahradka met with staff from Senator Cramer’s and Senator Hoeven’s offices. Representative Fedorchak was out of office the week of the visit; however, Hunt and Zahradka dropped off informational materials with her office.
Hunt’s message to legislative staff was clear. She stated:
In North Dakota, the demand for OST programs far outweighs the supply. There are more than 40,000 youth in the state that would participate in out-of-school time programs if we had the availability. We also spoke to the fact that 88% of ND voters are in support of public funding for OST programs.
Zahradka complemented the statistics with real, North Dakota examples of OST impact. Zahradka has seen many students in rural, high poverty, and limited school-age care situations access quality learning experiences with the 21st Century Community Learning Center at North Valley. North Valley participants in grades 9-12 explore a wide variety of industries from agriculture and auto tech to business education and marketing. Zahradka shared stories of students graduating from high school with several internships already on their resume with a clear idea of how they will fit into the future workforce in North Dakota.
Legislative staff were receptive to this combination. Hunt said, “We had engaging conversations about youth in our state, and I believe they recognize the value of our OST programs.” Mara LeFevre, Legislative Aide to Senator Hoeven, shared that Senator Hoeven has historically been a big supporter of afterschool programs and has every intention to continue.
The Network will continue to keep the conversations open with federal legislators from North Dakota. Senator Cramer, Senator Hoeven, and Representative Fedorchak were all invited to show support for North Dakota OST programs by attending a future screening for the Network’s new documentary: School’s Out: How Out-of-School Time Programs are Shaping North Dakota’s Youth. Hunt expressed, “We are hopeful that they [legislators] will continue to support OST programs fiscally, as well as be present with North Dakota youth for these events.”
Next Steps
It has been just over a month since Hunt and Zahradka visited the Capitol, and the need for advocacy hasn’t stopped. Hunt reflected on the difficulties facing OST programs:
The reality is that, unfortunately, these are turbulent times. In my nearly 25 years in education, I have never experienced uncertainty to this extent. The uncertainty stems from a couple key areas – first and foremost, federal instability. Disruptions in federal budget negotiations, particularly as they relate to OST programs, including potentially substantial funding cuts and a history of withholding of funds, have left providers concerned about the impact on their programs. Additionally, rural areas face heightened challenges, including limited resources and less access to staff.
While these challenges can seem heavy, there are bright spots all around. Four of these bright spots will be featured in the upcoming Network documentary celebrating the youth, program staff, and leaders of the Regional After School Program, North Dakota’s Gateway to Science, the Boys and Girls Club of the Red River Valley, and North Valley Career and Technical Center. The documentary is set to debut this fall with an exclusive pre-screening taking place at the ND OST Summit in August.
Meanwhile, the Network will keep advocating for ND OST programs. Hunt explained:
We will continue to provide clear communication, share resources, and help our local programs pivot to meet changing community needs. Our commitment is, and always has been, to North Dakota’s children and youth. The Network was established to ensure every child has access to safe, high-quality afterschool and summer programs.
The Network isn’t the only one working to support OST programs in the state. Anyone can support out-of-school time programs by volunteering time to mentor or tutor students, donating supplies or funds, and advocating for increased public funding to local, state, and federal officials. The public is always encouraged to reach out to elected officials about OST programs. To the public, Hunt says:
If you believe in the importance of these programs, please voice that. If you have personal stories on OST program impact – especially on child safety, academic success, and/or for working families – please voice that to our state, local, and federal policymakers.
For those looking to learn more about OST programs, Hunt recommends attending a Lights on Afterschool Day event in October. Lights on Afterschool Day is a nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. Additionally, the public is invited to attend one of the Network’s documentary debuts. These screenings will take place throughout the state with more details coming soon!
To the North Dakota OST programs across the state, the Network applauds you. Dawn Hunt, ND OST Network Lead, leaves you with this:
Continue doing what you’re doing. You are the crucial link between home and school. Keep serving our youth. I see you. I see you offering tailored support such as tutoring, homework help, mentorship, and enrichment activities that boost attendance, improve behavior, and build essential skills. Let parents and your communities continue to see the impactful work you’re doing.
North Dakota out-of-school time programs are changing lives, and it’s time everyone knows it.
To contact North Dakota’s Congressional Delegation:
Email Senator John Hoeven: https://www.hoeven.senate.gov/contact/contact-the-senator
Call Senator Hoeven: (202) 224-2551
Email Senator Kevin Cramer: https://www.cramer.senate.gov/contact/contact-kevin
Call Senator Kevin Cramer: (202) 224-2043
Email Representative Julie Fedorchak: https://fedorchak.house.gov/contact/email-me
Call Representative Julie Fedorchak: (202) 225-2611
To contact your State Legislators visit https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/members.
Not sure who your legislator is? Find them at https://ndlegis.gov/legend/constituent/districts/public/find_my_legislator/