Welcome to the Oklahoma Afterschool Network web site!

Welcome to the Oklahoma Afterschool Network web site!
The Network works to ensure that every child in this state has access to safe, enriching learning opportunities during their out-of-school time.

Support Out-of-School Programming Aimed at Reducing Childhood Obesity

Almost 40% of Oklahoma's children and youth are either overweight or at risk of being overweight. This epidemic has dire health and economic consequences for children and the State of Oklahoma.

Afterschool is a critical part of the solution for combating childhood obesity! Unstructured, unsupervised out-of-school time has not only been proven to contribute to childhood obesity but quality afterschool programs have been shown to reduce childhood obesity and increase physical activity among participants.

Today, only about 10% of Oklahoma's school children (K-2) regularly participate in an afterschool program. These low numbers are due to barriers such as program cost and access. Among existing program (2006 survey), only 70% report a focus on obesity prevention, nutrition, athletics or recreation as part of their regular afterschool program offerings.

Currently, Oklahoma Senate Bill 1612 (Justice/Winchester) makes funds available to support out-of-school programming that demonstrates collaboration with community partners that include evidence-based physical activity and nutrition components.

Fact Sheet

Find out more about the status of SB 1612

After School Programs in the 21st Century: Their Potential and What It Takes to Achieve It

Harvard Family Research Project's (HFRP) Issues and Opportunities in Out-of-School Time Evaluation briefs highlight current research and evaluation work in the out-of-school time field. These documents draw on HFRP's research work in out-of-school time to provide practitioners, funders, evaluators, and policymakers with information to help them in their work. This brief looks at 10 years of research on after school programs and finds implications for the future of the after school field.

This research brief draws on seminal research and evaluation studies to address two primary questions: (a) Does participation in after school programs make a difference, and, if so (b) what conditions appear to be necessary to achieve positive results? The brief concludes with a set of questions to spur conversation about the evolving role of after school in efforts to expand time and opportunities for children and youth in the 21st century.

Issue Brief

Oklahoma Institute
For Child Advocacy