Our Roots: The Early Days of Youth Advocacy in Washington County

The story of the OST Alliance begins within a long-standing, community-driven effort to ensure every child in Washington County has access to quality out-of-school-time (OST) programming.

The movement originally took root in 2002, when the Washington County Commission on Children and Families conducted a comprehensive community assessment. Involving nearly 200 dedicated community members, the resulting strategic plan highlighted a critical priority: establishing neighborhood schools as community hubs supported by afterschool and summer programs.

By 2009, recognizing the growing need for dedicated funding and advocacy specifically centered on OST opportunities, key community champions—including Katie Riley, Susan Bender Phelps, and Susan Stoltenberg—formed the Children’s Opportunity Fund Initiative of Washington County (COFI). Operating initially under a fiscal sponsorship with Impact Northwest, the group researched sustainable funding options, gathered community endorsements, and spearheaded public awareness campaigns.

In 2016, the initiative rebranded to Washington County Kids (WCK) to simplify its identity and broaden its scope. WCK quickly established itself as a vital convening force, organizing annual summits, hosting educational workshops alongside partners like Oregon ASK, and publishing foundational community reports. In 2018, WCK officially became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, serving as the county-wide coordinator and champion for OST access, public policy, and systemic support.

Fostering Growth & Identifying the Need for Strategic Focus

As Washington County Kids grew, so did its engagement with local program providers, community members, and school districts. Central to this momentum was the success of WCK’s annual Out-of-School-Time Summits, which brought together frontline organizations, educators, and leaders dedicated to serving children and families.

Following the success of the Second Annual OST Summit, the WCK Board of Directors conducted a strategic evaluation to determine how the organization could maximize its long-term impact. The evaluation revealed a crucial insight: while systemic policy advocacy, public awareness, and direct provider support are deeply interconnected, each requires a distinct organizational focus to reach its full potential.

To best serve the community without diluting either function, the Board approved a pivotal strategic shift: creating a dedicated, independent nonprofit entity specifically tailored to the operational and networking needs of providers—the OST Alliance.

A Dedicated Mission: The OST Alliance Today 

Under the leadership of Larry Crepeaux, Jeff Klein, Kathy Parent, and Cindy Davidson the establishment of the OST Alliance in July 2026 marks an agile, provider-focused chapter in our local youth-development ecosystem.

Operating directly alongside service organizations on the ground, the OST Alliance is an independent network focused exclusively on: 

• Direct Provider Support: Strengthening local programs through specialized professional development, networking, and resource sharing.

• Agile Response: Rapidly addressing immediate operational challenges and emerging needs faced by OST organizations through partnership and advocacy with school districts and other community partners.

• Network Building: Deepening collaboration among program leaders, community members, and school districts across Washington County.

While our foundational work remains deeply rooted in Washington County, the OST Alliance was launched as an independent network built for long-term growth. Our strategic vision begins with elevating the local provider network, with the ultimate goal of scaling our support model to other counties across Oregon—and eventually beyond state lines.

By dedicating our energy directly to provider capacity and program quality, the OST Alliance works to ensure that organizations have the tailored support required to expand opportunities for every child and family in our community.