Georgia Efforts to Support Summer Learning

This Crucible of Practice Salon highlighted the innovative work of the BOOST (Building Opportunities for Out-of-School Time) grant initiative in Georgia, developed in partnership by the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network (GSAN). The initiative, with funds from the American Rescue Plan provided grants over the course of the three years to programs in 115 of 159 counties. This statewide expansion has led to more sites providing robust summer programs for young people.  

Katie Landes of the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network opened the discussion with an overview of BOOST’s design, emphasizing the program’s intentional focus on collaboration with local initiatives, as well as its commitment to transparency and flexibility. 

Kinyatta Trice, also from Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network, joined the conversation to discuss BOOST’s implementation. She highlighted grantee success stories and outlined the approach used to provide technical assistance and quality support. Next, Jeannie Adams Myers, Ed.S., of Los Niños Primero USA—a BOOST program grantee—spoke about the impact of the funding on her program, describing how it helped enhance program quality and build capacity. 

Akia Lewis, MPAA, PMP, of Georgia Family Connection Partnership, addressed the organization’s efforts to engage and support rural and other non-traditional grantees. Dawn Boyer of Metis Associates then provided an overview of the program’s evaluation, detailing how program partners were involved in designing the assessment. She also shared key outcome data and system study findings. 

Finally, Katie Landes returned to discuss the program’s future. With federal funding coming to an end, the team is working toward a sustainable model, including efforts to secure funding for BOOST 2.0 in Georgia’s FY26 budget.