OST CARES

The Texas Partnership for Out of School Time launched OST CARES in 2024 to enhance mental health support and awareness within Texas out of school time, recognizing the unique potential of OST programs in implementing promotion and prevention strategies to better support the well-being of youth.

OST CARES leverages Texas’ powerful network of afterschool and summer programs to address the ongoing mental health crisis through a holistic approach that strengthens the entire system of support for kids, families, and out of school time professionals across the state. OST CARES achieves these two complementary aims through the Direct Service Program and the Intermediary Collaborative.

In recent years, more young people are increasingly struggling with anxiety, depression, thoughts of suicide, and other serious mental health issues. Experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, have declared children’s mental health “a national emergency.” When Texas created the OST CARES initiative:

  • More than 350,000 young people experienced a major depressive episode in a year, and of those, 73%— the worst rate in the country—did not receive mental health services.
  • 22% of high school students reported serious thoughts of suicide in 2021.
  • Over half a million children ages 3-17 experienced depression or anxiety in 2020, a 23% increase from 2016. Black and Latino children experienced the largest increases in depression and anxiety.

Leading authorities recognize the power of out of school time programs to support kids’ mental health. OST programs are well-positioned to contribute to this effort by providing valuable opportunities to support youth holistically, foster resilience, and create nurturing environments beyond the classroom setting.

Recent research also highlights the importance, adaptability, and leadership of out of school time intermediaries to help direct service providers improve program quality, build capacity, and ultimately meet community needs and challenges, including supporting mental health.

OST CARES was created to meet the requirements authorized by General Appropriations Act (GAA), Article III, Rider 88, 88th Texas Legislature and administered by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

The goals of OST CARES

Community Partnerships: Partner with local and statewide mental health providers to offer mental health services in OST settings;

Awareness and Education: Promote mental health awareness programs and education to identify youth in need and provide early intervention to serve the whole child and family;

Resources and Referrals: Establish a network of resources and referrals for equitable access for students and families in need of additional support;

Emotional Support: Foster an emotionally supportive environment to reduce the mental burden placed on under-resourced families as a result of the recent pandemic; and

Self-Care and Coping Strategies: Promote self-care practices and teach students effective coping strategies for managing stress and emotions.