STRENGTHEN | OST Conference
Alaska Out-of-School Time Conference
Join the Alaska Out-of-School Conference to gain valuable skills, network with peers, and explore more than 35 engaging workshops tailored for Alaska’s afterschool educators.
2026 Dates
Preconference Institute
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Preconference Session 1: Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), Brenda Ursel and Tami Eller
Preconference Session 2: Career-Connected Learning Framework, Victoria Wegener
Preconference Session 3: Planning with Data
Alaska Out-of-School Time Conference
Thursday, November 12, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday, November 13, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Conference Venue
William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center, 555 W 5th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501
Register today for Alaska’s largest event for afterschool and youth development professionals!
Join a network of over 150 peers from across the state to gain valuable tools, fresh ideas, and inspiration to strengthen your programs. Dive into dynamic workshops covering STEAM, social-emotional learning, cultural protective factors, and more.
Register early to take advantage of discounted Early Bird rates!
Interested in even more learning opportunities? Check out our Pre-Conference Day options below.
Early Bird Registration: $150
General Registration: $175 starting October 1, 2026
Preconference: $50, (Optional, for more details see below)
Please note: the prices listed do not include processing fees.
Conference Registration
Vendor Registration
Join us as a vendor at the Alaska Out-of-School Time (OST) Conference and connect with over 150 educators, youth development professionals, and program leaders from across the state. This is a unique opportunity to share your resources, services, and products that support afterschool and summer learning programs. Whether you're focused on enrichment, curriculum, youth wellness, or family engagement, we'd love to have you there!
Vendor Registration: $300
Registration includes one 8-foot table and two chairs for November 11–13, 2026. Conference registration is not included and must be purchased separately. Please note: the prices listed do not include processing fees.
Cancellation Policy: In the event you have to cancel your registration, please contact Thomas Azzarella. Cancellation requests made by October 30, 2026 receive a 100% refund, excluding processing fees. Tickets are non-refundable after October 30, 2026.
Held on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, the Alaska OST Preconference Institute is an additional opportunity for out-of-school time providers to expanding their professional skill set. Preconference Institute offers workshops that provide an in-depth look into a learning topic and emerge with strategies and resources to bring back to their programs. The Preconference Institute is geared towards all out-of-school time program types.
This year, preconference will host three separate workshops. Review the workshop details using the dropdown menu.
Organizations should consider taking a select, collaborative team approach when selecting a workshop as space is limited.
Preconference Institute Schedule
7:30 - 8:00 a.m. - Check in
8:00 - 2:00 p.m. - Preconference Institute
Preconference Institute
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Presenter(s): Brenda Ursel, M.S., Tami Eller, M.S., UAA Family Services Training Center
Audience: All youth workers
Programmatic Grade Level: K-12
Session Capacity: 40 participants
Registration Deadline & Cost: October 30, 2026 // $50
Trauma can take many forms — from abuse, neglect, or institutional care to experiences such as medical trauma, difficult births, or natural disasters. These experiences can impact a child’s brain, body, behavior, and belief systems, often making it difficult for them to trust the adults in their lives.
Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) is an evidence-based, trauma-responsive approach grounded in neuroscience and healthy child development. TBRI helps caregivers and professionals understand the impact of trauma and use practical strategies to promote healing, resilience, and healthy relationships. The model is built on three core principles: Connecting, Empowering, and Correcting.
In this session, participants will:
· Learn the foundations of TBRI
· Explore optimal development, brain growth, and the impact of trauma
· Examine the 5 B's of Relational Trauma
· Identify risk and protective factors
· Understand the Attachment Cycle
· Practice applying TBRI's Connecting, Empowering, and Correcting principles
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Presenter(s): Victoria Wegener, Consultant, STEM Next Opportunity Fund
Audience: All youth workers
Programmatic Grade Level: K-12
Session Capacity: 40 participants
Registration Deadline & Cost: October 30, 2026 // $50
Afterschool and summer programs give young people the freedom to explore interests, connect learning to real life, and discover early passions in STEM without the pressures of grades and tests. However, interest alone isn’t enough; without guidance and opportunities to see what’s possible, many youth lose momentum before imagining a future in STEM.
To help address this, STEM Next is introducing the Career-Connected Learning Framework, a practical, age-appropriate tool designed for out-of-school-time providers to integrate career awareness, exploration, and preparation into their programs. Career-connected learning is an ongoing journey that helps youth understand the world of work, build critical skills, and envision future possibilities through exposure, exploration, and experience.
Participants will leave with:
A stronger understanding of the STEM Next Career-Connected Learning Framework.
A practitioner’s toolkit of facilitation strategies for intentionally developing durable skills during STEM activities.
Practical methods for embedding career awareness and exploration into everyday OST programming.
Ideas and resources for strengthening family and community partnerships that support youth career development.
10+ implementation ready lesson plans for K-12 youth and career profiles aligned with the Career-Connected Learning Framework.
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Presenter(s): Alaska Afterschool Network
Audience: Youth Program Quality Initiative participants
Programmatic Grade Level: K-12
Session Capacity: 40 participants
Registration Deadline & Cost: September 30, 2026 // $50
Planning with Data is the Plan phase of the Youth Program Quality Initiative. Participating programs will analyze their collected data to explore their strengths and areas for improvement. Participants will work with their Professional Learning Community to discover root causes, refine goals, and build an improvement plan to implement in the Improve phase of the Youth Program Quality Initiative.
This workshop is open only to Youth Program Quality Initiative YPQI participants. This is an interactive workshop and program teams are encouraged to attend together.
Now accepting workshop proposals!
Do you or someone you know have a passion or expertise in an afterschool-relevant topic? From academic enrichment activities such as STEM and arts, to behavioral support and staff management, we are looking for interactive workshops that will inspire, educate, and engage out-of-school time educators across Alaska!
Submit a workshop proposal today!
Accommodations
We have a room block set up at the Hotel Captain Cook for conference attendees to book at a discounted rate of $196/night during their stay in Anchorage.
To reserve your room, follow the booking link below and book using the code AKOOS2026.
Directions and Parking
The Conference venue and hotel are within walking distance of each other.
Parking options are available across downtown Anchorage. While there is metered street parking, we recommend parking in one of the garages or lots indicated on the map.
Licensed School-Age Programs
Through Alaska SEED, licensed school-age providers are eligible for travel reimbursement (up to $1,000) and conference registration reimbursement (up to $500) for the Alaska OST Conference. Here's what you need:
Travel Reimbursement:
A Pre-Travel Application for the conference must be submitted online by October 16th, 2026.
If you are pre-approved, SEED will email and/or mail you a confirmation and a Travel Request (TR) Verification Form. The TR Verification Form, along with all receipts and proof of completion, must be submitted by January 4th, 2025.
Registration Reimbursement:
Your membership in the Alaska SEED Registry is current/active.
You are an early childhood or school-age professional operating or working as a paid employee of a licensed or approved child care facility.
You are currently residing in the state of Alaska.
Travel Scholarships
Agenda
More information to come on Whova, our conference app!
Continuing Education Units
Every year, participants in the Alaska Out-of-School Time Conference may use the below form to apply for one Continuing Education Unit (CEU). This CEU is only recognized by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) and can only be used to meet recency or renewal credit requirements when applying for any of the following Alaska Certificates:
Professional Teacher Certificate,
Master Teacher Certificate
Initial 5-year Teacher Certificate
Type B Administrative Certificate (regular), or
Type C Special Services Certificate (regular).
Application coming soon!
Sponsor the Alaska Out-of-School Time Conference
Each fall, the Alaska Afterschool Network, a program of Alaska Children’s Trust, convenes educators from across the state to enhance their skills for working with youth. The Conference ensures that educators have the tools and skills they need to keep Alaska’s children and youth safe, healthy, and happy in afterschool.
Your sponsorship helps create better afterschool programs for kids in Alaska by supporting quality professional learning for afterschool educators.
If you need assistance completing your sponsorship, contact Kaila Pfister, Director of Community Engagement at (907)248-7378 or email her here.