Guest Post from Stacie Strotman, President & CEO of Partners for Change:

Each year, families and students across our region seek out summer opportunities that provide reliable childcare, keep students engaged, and help prevent the “summer slide.” With a typical 10-week gap between the end of one school year and the start of the next, this need is both significant and consistent. Recent research from the Afterschool Alliance confirms what many of us have long understood: families are looking for affordable, safe, and high-quality summer programming to support their children during this time.

For many families—particularly those with limited financial resources—affordability and access remain the greatest barriers. Parents are seeking programs that offer a safe and nurturing environment, staffed by knowledgeable and caring adults, where students can participate in engaging academic and recreational activities. Equally important are convenient hours that align with work schedules and a setting where children feel a strong sense of belonging, connection, and engagement. However, these high-quality experiences often come at a cost that can be prohibitive. As a result, children from higher-income families are three times more likely to participate in summer camps or programs than their lower-income peers.

Fortunately, students in the River City school districts benefit from a wide range of school- and community-based summer programming options. Partners For Change works alongside partner districts including Covington Independent Public Schools, Newport Independent Schools, Ludlow Independent Schools, and Erlanger-Elsmere Independent Schools to help strengthen and support summer programming opportunities for students and families. Through collaboration, technical assistance, programming support, and access to additional community resources, these partnerships help ensure students have access to engaging, safe, and enriching summer experiences that support both academic growth and overall well-being.

Across all seven districts, schools offer programs that integrate academic support with youth development opportunities. These programs allow students to continue learning, build relationships, and spend time with peers in the familiar and supportive environment of their own schools. Educators who know their students best are able to extend learning into the summer months, fostering continued growth. For example, historical data from Camp Covington in Covington Independent Public Schools shows that students who participate in the five-week, high-quality summer program demonstrate measurable gains in reading and math upon returning to school in August.

While the findings from the Afterschool Alliance are not surprising to those who have dedicated decades to implementing summer programs, it is concerning that initiatives with strong bipartisan support—and clear benefits for students, families, and the workforce—remain vulnerable to funding reductions. As funding declines, so too does the number of days and opportunities available for students to access these critical programs and supports. Investing in high-quality summer programming is not simply about filling time—it is about creating equitable opportunities for all students to learn, grow, and thrive. When we prioritize access to affordable, engaging programs, we strengthen not only individual outcomes but also our communities and workforce.