Our Mission

We are a national coalition of leaders in the Out-of-School Time (OST) field.

Our goal is to foster health and well-being practices in afterschool programs nationwide, using science-based standards for healthy eating, physical activity, screen time, and social supports for these behaviors including staff, family, and child engagement.

We encourage OST leaders and program staff to explore the evidence-based Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards.

Physical Activity

Physical Activity

Healthy Eating

Healthy Eating

Youth Wellness

Youth Wellness

HEPA Standards

HEPA Standards

  • HOST MILESTONES

    The annual National AfterSchool Association Convention featured multiple HEPA focused workshops and included a HOST Coalition meet-up.



  • HOST MILESTONES

    A special issue of New Directions for Youth Development, sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the National AfterSchool Association and edited by Jean Wiecha and Georgia Hall, presented recent research findings on healthy eating and physical activity in the OST field.


  • HOST MILESTONES

    The HEPA Standards were adopted by the National AfterSchool Association Board of Directors, YMCA of the USA, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and Alliance for a Healthier Generation.


  • HOST MILESTONES

    HOST Coalition researchers developed the HEPA standards for out-of-school time programs through research, literature review and input of coalition members.



  • HOST MILESTONES

    The HOST Coalition was created by the National Institute on Out-of-School Time, the University of Massachusetts Boston, and the YMCA of the USA.



About

History, Vision, Goals

Coalition Accomplishments

HEPA Standards

Contact Us

Resources

Healthy Eating

Physical Activity

Youth Wellness

HOST logo

The HOST site is managed by the National Institute on Out-of-School Time, a program of the Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College

Wellesley Centers for Women
Wellesley College
106 Central Street
Wellesley, MA 02481-8203 USA

host@niost.org
781.283.2547

NIOST