YMCA of Austin announced in a Sept. 9 press release that it is planning a merger with Extend-A-Care for Kids, which provides afterschool and summer programs to multiple ISDs and charter schools in the Austin area, including 12 schools in Hays CISD and the IDEA Kyle charter school. YMCA of Austin also has two locations in Buda. “The Boards of Directors of Extend-A-Care for Kids (EAC) and the YMCA of Austin have voted to create a strategic alliance that will combine the licensed preschool, afterschool and camp operations of both organizations to create the new Extend-A-Care YMCA branch,” the release read. The merger is expected to be finalized in January 2020 according to the release. YMCA of Austin Communication Director Sean Doles said Extend-A-Care locations will continue to operate with no major changes in the near future. In time, Doles said the new Extend-A-Care YMCA will add more opportunities for children to participate in YMCA activities and enhance existing Extend-A-Care programs. Extend-A-Care’s main office is located 55 N. I-35 in Austin. 512-472-9402. www.eackids.org