OUT-OF-SCHOOL COST STUDY: PROGRAM SURVEY

Introduction
Thank you for your interest and willingness to participate in this important study. The American Institutes for Research® (AIR®), with support from The Wallace Foundation and in collaboration with the Afterschool Alliance and National Afterschool Association, is conducting a cost study to better understand the current landscape of out-of-school time (OST) programs, including their practices, resources, and costs.

The goal of this study is to produce an updated cost calculator that will help the OST field advocate for, plan, and secure resources for high-quality programs. The OST Cost Calculator has historically helped users estimate the costs of running high-quality programs and the summer portions of year-round programs.

This screener survey is specifically designed for individuals who are familiar with program-level data, such as program directors or leaders who oversee multiple sites. If you are a site-level leader, we kindly ask that you forward this survey to your program leader to complete it on behalf of the entire program. The survey requires responses that reflect the combined total across all program sites.

Participation in this screener survey is entirely voluntary, and the information you provide will help us identify OST programs nationwide for inclusion in the cost study.

For more information or questions about the survey, please see the FAQs below or contact us at OSTCost@air.org.

What is the OST cost study?
With support from the Wallace Foundation and in collaboration with the Afterschool Alliance and National Afterschool Association, the American Institutes for Research®  is conducting a cost study to describe the current landscape of OST programs and the related practices, resources, and costs. As a result of this study, AIR will produce an updated cost calculator that will help the OST field advocate, resource, and plan for high-quality programs. More information can be found on the study website.

Why are you asking for program information?
To update the existing cost calculator, we need to conduct a cost study to better understand the current costs of high-quality OST programs, how costs vary, and what factors contribute to program costs. Because no national registry of OST programs exists, we are asking the OST field to complete a screener survey. In this screener survey, programs will be asked to share information about their work, ensuring that responses reflect the total across all program sites. This information will help us create a list of OST programs from across the county to include in the study.

Who should complete the screener survey?
Programs that are eligible to complete the survey (and receive the $50 benefit) are those that:
·       Provide academic and/or enrichment programing afterschool or during the summer
·       Have dedicated, paid staff
·       Meet regularly (at least three times a week for school-year programs and at least once a week for summer programs)
·       Require program registration or track attendance

Do I have to take the screener survey?
This survey is voluntary. Choosing not to participate will not affect you in any way. If you decide to participate, you can skip any question or end the survey at any time without penalty. We hope you will do your best to honestly answer as many questions as you can.

Why should I complete the screener survey?
This study will help us gather crucial data to make sure the OST cost calculator reflects the reality of running quality programs nationwide. But we need your help to make sure it’s as accurate and representative as possible - where indicated, the responses should capture the total across all program sites. Your input is vital for shaping the future of OST funding and policy.

What information are you asking for in the screener survey and how will you use it?
Your survey responses will be available only to AIR. We will ask you to provide your contact information and information about your program, including types of activities offered and ages of youth served. We will use this information you provide to identify and invite a subset of OST programs to participate in the cost survey. If your program is selected, we will reach out to you directly to provide next steps.

When will the screener survey be open?
We expect for the screener survey to be open between January 2025 and March 2025.

How long will it take to complete the screener survey?
The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

Can I start the screener survey and finish later?
Yes, you can complete the survey in one or multiple sessions as needed. The survey automatically saves your answers, and you can resume the survey where you left off.

What are the risks of participating in the survey?
There are no risks associated with participating in this survey beyond those experienced in everyday life.

Is there an incentive for completing the screener?
Yes, we will provide a $50 electronic gift card to the first 500 eligible programs that complete the screener.

Who do I contact if I have questions?
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Melissa Yisak, Senior Researcher at American Institutes for Research (AIR), at OSTCost@air.org. If you have concerns or questions about your rights as a participant, please contact the AIR Institutional Review Board, which is responsible for the protection of project participants, at IRB@air.org, toll free at 1-800-634-0797, or c/o IRB, 1400 Crystal Drive, 10th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202-3289.
 
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