The Power of Afterschool – Saturday, November 8, 2025

Welcome to the 2025 Connecticut Afterschool Conference information page. Our theme this year is The Power of Afterschool.  This year we will focus on the power of afterschool and the amazing afterschool professionals who’s ever evolving knowledge and skills make an incredible difference in the lives of children and families.   Our workshops will focus on Student Voice and Choice, STEM Learning, Social-Emotional Learning, Afterschool Leaders, Play-based Learning, and Enriching Spaces.   Our exhibitor space will be filled with vendors and non-profits to support your work with school-age children.  We will have opportunities to meet and connect with afterschool professionals from across the state.  We hope you will join us for an empowering day filled with new ideas, opportunities to make connections with fellow afterschool professionals, and inspiration for the year to come. 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – subject to change

• 8:00 – 8:45 AM Registration & Breakfast
• 9:00 – 9:45 AM Conference Opener
• 10:00 – 11:30 AM Session 1
• 11:30 – 12:15 PM Lunch
• 12:30 – 2:00 PM Session 2
• 2:15 – 3:45 PM Session 3

REGISTRATION FEE – $100/person

Registration to the annual conference includes a National AfterSchool Association (NAA) Membership – If you’re not a current paid NAA member and live in CT, our state affiliation and conference registration make you eligible for a free NAA membership (typically $25-150 when purchased directly through NAA). By checking, yes on the registration form, you’re granting permission for us to share your information with NAA so they can create a membership for you.

REGISTRATION deadline is Friday, October 31st.

WORKSHOP SELECTION

Once you are registered, you will receive a confirmation email. An additional email will be sent with a link to the Workshop Selection Form to choose your workshops.  To view the full list of workshops descriptions, click here.

KEYNOTE – Tyneisha K. Gibbs, All They Need is YOU: The Power of “One” in Afterschool

The power of afterschool is not abstract; its science backed and can change the trajectory of a child’s life. Afterschool professionals are anchors of hope, belonging, and opportunity. Drawing from decades of experience in the OST sector and the Search Institute’s Developmental Assets Framework and Relationship-Building Frameworks, we will explore how focusing on the “one”—one child, one caring adult, one authentic connection, creates a ripple of impact that spreads across families, schools, and communities.

PRESENTERS

Visit the Presenter page to learn more about our 2025 presenters.

(RFP submission is closed. We invite you to apply to present at our 2025 Annual Afterschool Conference. This year we will focus on afterschool and its power to make an incredible difference in the lives of children and families. Proposed workshops should support staff in their continued efforts to provide unique and powerful learning opportunities.)

EXHIBITOR/SPONSORS

This event is made possible to the generous support of our sponsors and partners.

EXHIBITORS will have one 10-foot table (electricity available upon request). Additional tables are available for a fee. Exhibitors will be showcased on our social media prior to the conference and in our conference program. Electricity is not available at all tables and there is an additional fee for electricity. Meals are not included in the exhibitor fee.  You are welcome to bring your own breakfast and lunch or purchase our meals. 

If you would like to sponsor this or any other event, please click here for more information.

PAYMENTS & DEADLINES

• Registration deadline is Friday, October 31st.
• We accept check/money order, and credit card via the online registration process.
• You may request an invoice upon registration.
• Payment by Check – Make check payable to Connecticut Network for Children and Youth and send payment to Connecticut Network for Children and Youth, PO Box 1409, Hartford, CT 06143.

DELAY, CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY

• Due to inclement weather (snow, ice, flooding, etc.) or other emergencies, events may be delayed or canceled.  Participants are responsible to check the CTNCY Facebook Page for delay or cancellation notices.
• Refunds will be granted to registrants who cancel their registration in writing by email to Marla Berrios no later than Friday, October 31st.
• Refunds will not be provided to registrants who neither cancel before Friday, October 31st nor attend the event.  Confirmed registrants who are unable to attend the event may send a substitute in their place at no additional cost.  Substitution information must be received by the Connecticut Network for Children and Youth no less than two business days before start of the event.

QUESTIONS

• For any general conference questions, contact Monica Whalen, Conference Coordinator.
• For any conference registration questions, contact Marla Berrios or via phone at (203) 483-1846.

TERMS OF REGISTRATION

Submission of your conference registration authorizes the Connecticut Network for Children and Youth to publish in any format and use for promotional and educational purposes your name and any photos, videos, and audio recordings taken of you at the conference.  It also authorizes the Connecticut Network for Children and Youth to contact you by mail, phone or email.  Please note the following Media Release.

Consent to Photograph, Film or Videotape Participants for Non-Profit use (e.g. educational, public service, or health awareness purposes)

As a conference participant, I acknowledge and grant permission to the Connecticut Network for Children and Youth to use my image (photographs and/or video) for use in Connecticut Network for Children and Youth publications including videos, email blasts, recruiting brochures, newsletters, and magazines and to use my image in electronic versions of the same publications or on the Connecticut Network for Children and Youth website or other electronic forms of media.

I hereby waive any right to inspect or approve the finished photographs or electronic matter that may be used in conjunction with them now or in the future, whether that use is known to me or unknown, and I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising from or related to the use of the image.

Thank you to our sponsors and exhibitors for their support.