With summer break on the horizon, families in the Madison area now have a new resource to help them find high-quality programming for their children and teens.

The Madison-area Out-of-School Time (MOST) initiative has launched an online Program Finder, a “one-stop-shop” where families can find a comprehensive collection of programming and search by distance from home, school attendance area, grade and age, price, type of activity and other criteria.

Families can search for free programs, programs offering financial assistance, services that provide transportation, bilingual services and more. The Program Finder’s extensive database includes everything from arts and academic support to college exploration, competitive sports, mentoring, recreation, service learning, internships and more.

“The MOST program finder will increase families’ access to information about programs that can help support the physical, social-emotional and academic learning for their children. One of the important features of this program is that it will address barriers to participation in a simple, no cost manner,” said Madison Mayor Paul Soglin. “Studies have shown that after-school programs help reduce juvenile crime and violence. This partnership between the City, the school district and Dane County along with dozens of service providers is one way we can work together to build stronger families, neighborhoods and community.”

“Every child in our community should have access to all our community has to offer,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “I am proud to partner with the Madison School District and the City of Madison to give our children a chance to discover their passions.”

“As we work to ensure our students have the best possible experience inside our schools, we know that what they do after school and on breaks has a tremendous impact on their education and their readiness for college, career and community,” says Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Jennifer Cheatham. “Thanks to the MOST coalition, families have a valuable tool to ensure their child has out of school time opportunities throughout the summer. We are thankful for the collaboration of the MOST coalition to make this tool a reality.”

MOST is a collective impact initiative through which the Madison Metropolitan School District, the City of Madison, Dane County and over 45 youth-serving organizations in the area have come together to improve access to and the quality of after school and summer programs in the Madison area. MOST’s mission is to ensure that all youth in the Madison area have access to comprehensive, high-quality after school and summer programs that support positive youth development, educational achievement and readiness for college, career and community.

MOST supporters include the Madison Community Foundation, United Way of Dane County 2-1-1, City of Madison and the Madison Metropolitan School District.

The Program Locator is available online here.