OST CARES Intermediary Collaborative

TXPOST launched OST CARES in 2024 to enhance mental health support and build intermediary infrastructure within out of school time across Texas.

OST CARES aims to increase coordination among regional and statewide OST intermediaries by exploring the alignment of program quality systems, data sharing, and communication efforts. Developing and investing in statewide OST systems will ensure alliance and sustainability over time and across regions.

The OST CARES Intermediary Collaborative will collectively determine and implement the vision and activities for building statewide intermediary infrastructure that:

  • supports building the capacity of OST programs and professionals through professional development, technical assistance, and resources to increase access to high-quality programming;
  • connects OST intermediaries and programs with schools, districts, community-based organizations, and all components of a healthy ecosystem that supports kids and families; and
  • ensures that more OST intermediaries and programs have access to more funding and resources to support diverse, high-quality experiences for Texas kids in OST settings.

Organizations invited to take part in the Intermediary Collaborative will receive an annual stipend to participate in Collaborative, workgroup, and advisory group meetings, complete asynchronous work to advance the Collaborative’s goals, and continue supporting their network of OST programs and professionals through ongoing individual organizational work.

Intermediary Collaborative Guidelines

88. Mental Health Services in Out of School Time. It is the intent of the Legislature that included in amounts appropriated above in Strategy A.2.1, Statewide Educational Programs, is $2,500,000 from General Revenue funds in each fiscal year of the 2024-25 biennium to fund the Texas Partnership for Out of School Time (TXPOST) to implement mental health programs in community-based out of school time (OST) and statewide intermediary infrastructure to support OST programs and professionals.

Funds are appropriated for the following purposes:

  1. to promote mental health, identify youth in need, and provide early intervention to serve the whole child and family;
  2. to partner with local and statewide mental health providers to offer mental health services in OST settings;
  3. to aim to reduce the mental burden placed on under-resourced families as a result of the recent pandemic; and
  4. to establish community partnerships to ensure equitable access to education and promotion of mental health awareness.

The Intermediary Collaborative aims to enhance the quality, capacity, and availability of out of school time programs across Texas through systems alignment, data and resource sharing, and collective impact initiatives.

Invited, nonprofit out of school time intermediary organizations in Texas that support the work of direct service OST providers at the state, regional, or local level are eligible to participate.

Participating organizations are expected to have a representative:

  • Attend, contribute to, and actively engage in the two (2) full-day in-person Collaborative meetings hosted by TXPOST. The purpose of these meetings is to foster in-depth collaboration, planning, and relationship building.
  • Attend the two (2) 2-hour virtual Collaborative meetings hosted by TXPOST. The purpose of these meetings is to plan and advance Collaborative goals, strategies, and activities, share updates from workgroups and advisory groups, and discuss timely organizational updates and challenges with the Collaborative.
  • Attend, contribute to, and actively engage in the six (6) 45-minute virtual community of practice meetings hosted by TXPOST. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss timely organizational updates and challenges with the Collaborative.
  • Participate in at least one workgroup or advisory group and attend periodic 60-minute virtual meetings hosted by TXPOST. The purpose of these meetings is to focus on planning and advancing specific statewide strategies and activities.
  • Complete all participant and/or additional Collaborative surveys (e.g., post-meeting surveys) and submit timely responses for all requests.
  • Complete and/or ensure completion of any asynchronous work and tasks to advance strategies and activities as determined by the Collaborative and workgroups or advisory groups.
  • Submit an annual report detailing the impact of your organizational and Collaborative work; a form and/or template will be provided by TXPOST.

Participating organizations will agree to collect data and report on the following in addition to other relevant data as requested by TXPOST or determined by the Collaborative to describe the need for and justify the continuation of the Collaborative, demonstrate the impact of the Collaborative’s effort, and meet minimum TEA reporting and compliance requirements for the OST CARES grant program.

  • Participant and/or additional Collaborative surveys (e.g., post-meeting surveys) completed by organizational representatives.
  • Participant interview requests to assess progress on organizational and Collaborative work and Collaborative infrastructure.
  • Annual report that outlines the impact of organizational and Collaborative work.
  • Other relevant requests for formal and/or informal progress reports.

Note: Any data sharing agreements to support logistical aspects of overarching Collaborative strategies and activities will be developed and executed separately.

Each participating intermediary will receive an annual participation stipend.

Please note that this is not a traditional grant program. Each participating organization receiving a stipend may use the funds flexibly to support activities that pursue collective Collaborative and individual organizational goals, including but not limited to enhancing the quality, capacity, and availability of OST programs across Texas. While TXPOST suggests utilizing stipend funds for expenses like staff compensation to attend required meetings and complete asynchronous work, recipients have discretion in determining how they spend their stipends. Additional guidance will be provided in participation agreements.