SUPPORT | HEALTHY OST

Healthy Out-of-School Time (OST)

Afterschool and summer programs can help students develop lifelong health habits to ensure our youth grow up healthy and strong. Join us in creating a healthier future for our communities through hands-on activities and resources that encourage lifelong healthy habits.

Smiling Child Eating a Snack

Studies show that healthy, active children learn better, perform better academically, and experience fewer behavioral problems. However, many children are not getting the healthy food and physical activity they need each day. Afterschool and summer programs can help students develop lifelong health habits to ensure our youth grow up healthy, strong, and ready. 

Smiling Child Making a Snow Angel.

Tools for Improving Health Through OST

Child eating fruit.

National AfterSchool Healthy Eating & Physical Activity Standards (HEPA)

HEPA Standards address food and beverage and physical activity content and quality, staff training, social support (including staff role modeling, family engagement, and children’s social development), program support, and environmental support.

Child playing soccer.

HEPA Self-Assessment Tool

The HEPA 2.0 Self-Assessment Tool is designed to empower professionals and programs to assess their progress in meeting the standards outlined in the NAA HEPA Standards for Out-of-School Time version 2.0.

Smiling Afterschool Network Staff.

Staff Fitness Break Cards

Employees who move together are happier together, so let’s take 5 to stretch and move!


Children collecting plants.

Student Physical Activity Cards

America’s Healthiest Schools are proving that healthy students learn better. Whether you’re at home, at the park or at school, it’s a good time to get kids moving.