Following Wisconsin’s unprecedented $50 million Beyond the Classroom investment using COVID relief funds, it became clear just how transformative out-of-school time programs could be for children, families, and communities. Recognizing both the impact of OST and the gaps that remained, leaders in the field began organizing for a long-term solution.

In the fall of 2024, the Wisconsin Out of School Time Alliance joined with the Wisconsin Youth Company and Madison Out of School Time to form the Wisconsin Partnership for Kids to build a coalition to address the need for long-term sustainable funding. From early organizing efforts to gaining traction, explore the full timeline of how this partnership grew into a statewide movement.