AYS, Inc. (At Your School) announces the expansion of its executive leadership team with the appointment of Courtney Penn as Chief of Staff.
AYS provides high-quality before and after school programs to more than 2,000 Hoosier families each day, supporting children’s academic, social, and emotional development outside of regular school hours. With more than 1.44 million hours of service dedicated to Indiana’s youth, AYS is actively investing in its leadership and operational systems to meet the growing demand from families and streamline operations across its networks of out-of-school time (OST) programs.
Courtney Penn brings more than 25 years of experience serving children and families across Indiana. She most recently served as Director of the Office of Early Childhood and Out of School Learning for the State of Indiana, where she oversaw the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF), licensing, workforce development, and quality initiatives. Her role included leading training and technical assistance efforts, supporting the childcare workforce, and coordinating with childcare resource and referral agencies statewide.
“It is an honor to welcome an outstanding leader like Courtney, who brings a wealth of experience in the OST field at both the local and national levels,” said Justin Armstrong, CEO of AYS. “With her expertise, I am confident in the future of AYS as we continue to invest in OST workforce development and enhance the support we provide through our programs.”
As Chief of Staff, Penn oversees AYS’ human resources, program quality, and customer service departments, leading initiatives to strengthen staff recruitment, enhance training systems, and ensure consistent, high-quality programs for our families.
“I am honored to join AYS and contribute to its long-standing commitment to delivering high-quality out-of-school time programs for children and families,” said Courtney Penn. “I look forward to leveraging my experience in early childhood and OST systems to support organizational growth, strengthen team development, and advance AYS’s mission across Central Indiana.”
AYS remains a trusted leader in the OST field, providing programs families can count on. As staffing shortages continue to impact childcare across the state, AYS is taking proactive steps to strengthen its workforce and increase stability. Reliable childcare is foundational to a thriving workforce, and OST programs play a critical role in helping families maintain employment while ensuring their children are in a safe environment.
About AYS
AYS (At Your School) serves thousands of Hoosier families daily by providing high-quality before and after-school programs, camps, and enrichment experiences that support children’s academic, social, and emotional development. For more information about AYS, Inc., visit our About Us page.
