Program Evaluation Cohort - Focus Group Application

Are you a local OST professional who is currently involved in evaluating your programs or who will be in the next year? APOST invites you to apply to participate in the design phase for an upcoming project on behalf of APOST and Pitt Education.

The University of Pittsburgh School of Education (Pitt Education) and Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST) are working together to increase the capacity of out-of-school time (OST) staff and organizations in program evaluation. In spring 2025, we will host focus groups with local OST providers to gather insights, identify challenges, and shape the design for a cohort of organizations to receive training and tools to strengthen their program evaluation. The learnings from this research project will inform the creation of an evaluation toolkit that will be publicly available in summer 2026. We are deeply grateful to the McElhattan Foundation for investing in this project.

If you are currently involved in evaluating your programs, or will be in the next year, APOST invites you to apply to participate in one of five focus groups. Compensation of $50 is provided to all focus group participants.

Please reach out to Kelly Rottmund (krottmund@afterschoolpgh.org) or Tom Akiva (tomakiva@pitt.edu) with any questions. Thank you!

Sign up for one of the following:

1) VIRTUAL - May 7, 10:30am - 12pm

Zoom Link to Follow

2) Homewood CEC - May 21, 10:30am - 12pm (includes lunch at 12pm)

Location Address: 622 N Homewood Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15208

3) Homewood CEC - May 21, 12:30pm - 2pm (includes lunch at 12pm)

Location Address: 622 N Homewood Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15208

4) CoLab18 at Nova Place - May 21, 6pm - 7:30pm (includes dinner at 6pm)

Location Address: 100 S Commons, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Lunch or dinner will be provided for all in-person focus groups.