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Programs Report More Hungry, Homeless Students
Just as children in their communities need more help, afterschool program leaders across the country say they are being forced to increase fees and reduce staffing, activities and hours to cope with budget cuts and rising costs.
Nearly all respondents to a survey of afterschool programs (95 percent) say the recession is affecting their communities, with 60 percent seeing more kids going hungry or families struggling to provide food for children, and half seeing increased homelessness. Yet afterschool programs are unable to provide as much help as children need because their budgets are down. Eighty-six percent of respondents say children in their communities need afterschool care and are unable to access it.
Nearly 1,500 afterschool leaders (1,447) responded to the web-based survey, conducted by the Afterschool Alliance in April and May. Respondents represent 8,587 afterschool sites serving 1.2 million children.
According to "Uncertain Times 2009: Recession Imperiling Afterschool Programs and the Children They Serve," three in five respondents say funding for their programs is down compared to two years ago, and more than one-third (36 percent) say it is down a lot.
In response, programs are first cutting items like field trips, reducing activities, and reducing staff pay and benefits. But many also have been forced to add or increase fees (38 percent), reduce professional development (34 percent), increase staff/student ratios (28 percent), reduce the number of children they serve (28 percent), or reduce the hours or days they are open (25 percent). Twenty-two percent have reduced or eliminated summer programs in response to funding woes.
"This new survey documents a world of hurt all across the country," said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. "We're not protecting our kids from the economic pain, or even maintaining the safety nets they count on. Afterschool programs serve a high need population; two-thirds of students who attend these programs qualify for free or reduced price lunches. When programs must charge or raise fees or reduce hours, more children will be unsupervised and at risk after the school day ends. It is alarming that nearly half the respondents (47 percent) to our survey said their budgets are inadequate to meet the needs of students and families. We have to do better by our kids."
Yet federal funds are lacking. Funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC), the chief federal funding stream for afterschool programs, is stalled at $1.13 billion even though the No Child Left Behind Act authorized $2.5 billion. President Obama's FY2010 budget proposal would flat fund 21st CCLCs.
"Quality afterschool programs do incredible work keeping kids safe, inspiring them to learn and helping working families," Grant added. "But afterschool programs cannot serve all the children who need them when they are badly underfunded. Even in these tough economic times when there's tremendous pressure for resources, we have to find a way to do better. Investing in afterschool programs pays off over time in healthier, more successful students and youth."
The new survey also found that:
* With the recession still far from over, two in five respondents already find that transportation is a "significant barrier" to children being able to participate in their programs. More than one-third (37 percent) say fees or costs to parents are a significant barrier to participation.
* Nearly one-third of respondents say they would need to at least double capacity in order to serve all the children who need afterschool programs in their communities.
* Nearly nine in ten afterschool program leaders (89 percent) expect the recession to affect their programs in the 2009-2010 school year, and more than one-third expect the recession to very much affect it.
* Seven in ten respondents (69 percent) say funding is less than secure for the next one to two years, and 83 percent say it is not secure for the next three to five years.
"Uncertain Times 2009" used web-based survey software. The Afterschool Alliance emailed a link to the survey to more than 10,000 contacts in April 2009. Recipients were encouraged to forward the survey to afterschool program staff, and programs were asked to be certain that only one person per program completed the survey, and to provide responses from a site-level coordinator when possible. 1,834 responses were reviewed. 387 of them did not provide sufficient data to be included in the final analysis or were duplicates. Therefore, the final sample was 1,447 responses which represent approximately 8,587 afterschool sites serving more than 1.2 million children. (Many respondents are responsible for multiple sites.)
To read the survey, click here.
Afterschool Featured in Education Budget Hearing
On June 3, Education Secretary Arne Duncan testified before the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee about the U.S. Department of Education's fiscal year 2010 budget request. During the hearing, Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) asked Secretary Duncan why the administration proposed flat-funding 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC), the only federal funding stream dedicated to afterschool.
"I was a teacher in the afterschool programs many, many years ago, so I'm a strong believer in these efforts and I know youre supportive of this," Representative DeLauro said. "How will the administration demonstrate its support for afterschool when it's only proposed level funding for the 21st Century CLC Initiative and that's the only federal funding stream as far as I know that's dedicated to afterschool."
Secretary Duncan responded by calling afterschool "hugely important," and noting that "we have to think dramatically different about time. We need our days to be longer. We need our weeks to be longer, and we need our school year to be longer." Secretary Duncan said there are numerous funding sources in the budget, and mentioned economic stimulus funding and Title I specifically.
"There are multiple pools of money for states and school districts to start to think very differently about time... This summer, Cincinnati [began] using stimulus dollars to keep the school open a month longer. I think that's a great step in the right direction. So there are unprecedented resources available for schools to think about longer days, longer weeks, longer years," Secretary Duncan said. "Without clear guidance in all of our funding, we think this is a very important use of money and a great strategy to help students who are historically low performing and come to school from disadvantaged backgrounds. A great way to level the playing field... There's never been more flexible money to use to extend learning time."
As reported in the most recent Afterschool Advocate, the Afterschool Alliance is encouraging supporters to tell Congress that flat funding the 21st CCLC program will leave millions of children at risk. For more information on how to contact Senators and Representatives, and tips on writing letters-to-the-editor, click here and view the March 15, 2009 Afterschool Advocate.
Moore Capito to Co-Chair Caucus
Representative Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) has signed on as Co-Chair of the House Afterschool Caucus. Moore Capito joins Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY), the other Co-Chair, in this leadership role.
"We are thrilled that Representative Moore Capito is going to do even more to help us convey the enormous benefits that quality afterschool programs provide," Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant said. Moore Capito replaces Representative Ralph Regula (R-OH), who retired last year.
The Senate Afterschool Caucus is co-chaired by Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and John Ensign (R-NV).
Outreach
As reported in the last Afterschool Advocate, Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) have introduced the AFTERschool Meal Act (S. 990), which would expand the afterschool supper program to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It would allow school-based afterschool programs to provide supper through the School Lunch Program, as opposed to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This would address the barrier faced by school-based programs that are not licensed because some states require licensing for CACFP participation.
In this struggling economy, afterschool programs are playing an even greater role in providing healthy snacks and meals for their students. Supporters can lend a hand to the effort by reaching out to Senators and asking them to co-sponsor the bill. Be sure to let them know:
* The AFTERschool Meal Act will reduce childhood hunger and ensure that children have access to a healthy meal.
* Providing an after school meal can help low income families stretch their food budgets, which is more important than ever given the current economic situation.
* Many afterschool providers currently stretch their budgets or pay out of pocket to ensure that kids don't go hungry after school; the AFTERschool Meal Act will make it easier for afterschool programs to afford healthy dinners for hungry kids.
* The AFTERschool Meal Act will support programs that keep kids safe and inspired during the critical afterschool hours.
Information on calling your Senators is available on the Afterschool Alliance website.
Afterschool For All
Tough Times Calls for More Advocacy for Afterschool
By Marie Coichy
In these tough times, it is absolutely vital that we raise our voices for afterschool programs, many of which are threatened by budget cuts and shrinking revenues. I've had the chance to hear from so many of our Afterschool for All program partners who are dealing with the impact of the recession. Just a few weeks ago, a program director in Mississippi called to let me know that her town's only afterschool program is in danger of shutting its doors this summer. Sadly, more than 150 kids will be affected.
Stories like these and many others underscore the need for a unified voice in support of afterschool. We cannot afford to lose the critical services that afterschool programs provide to keep kids safe, help them learn and support our working families.
The Afterschool for All campaign is one of the biggest megaphones that advocates can use to make some noise for afterschool. Now, more than ever, we encourage you to leverage the resources and tools that the Afterschool for All campaign offers- from sample petitions to emails and letters- to build support for afterschool with community leaders, funders, elected officials and other decision-makers. Use these tools to inspire everyone in the community including parents, grandparents, teachers, community leaders and youth to make their voices heard for afterschool.
For more information, contact Afterschool for All Project Manager Marie Coichy at mcoichy@afterschoolalliance.org or 646/943-8662.
Funding News
The Afterschool Alliance's website has resources for afterschool providers, including tips for initiating relationships with funders and businesses, and for identifying funding opportunities. To learn more, click here.
Remember also to check here to find out how afterschool programs may be able to tap into economic recovery funds.
GRANTS/AWARDS AVAILABLE
Awards for Teen Filmmakers Greene Room Players Media Project is now accepting entries for its Reel Teens Film/Video Festival. Teenagers may submit videos up to 20 minutes long in the following categories: fiction, documentary, short fiction or short documentary (ten minutes or less), video diary, animation, visual arts, music video or public service announcement. Selected videos will be screened at the festival in October, and winners in each category will receive a trophy and $100. The deadline to apply is June 30. For more information, click here.
Grants for Violence Prevention Programs The Women's Division of the United Methodist Church is sponsoring grants of up to $4,000 for small-scale community and church-based programs that teach children age five to 18 about violence prevention, anti-abuse or relationship abuse. Grants may not be used for construction costs, computer hardware, or for one-time only or summer events. The deadline to apply is July 1. For more information, click here.
Grants for Supporting Children's Well-Being The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation is sponsoring grants of up to $70,000 for nonprofits that support the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual welfare of children in more than one state. Grants may not be used for construction or operating costs, to match government funds, or for production of materials in a language other than English. The deadline is July 15. For more information, click here.
In Their Own Words...
"Now, let me tell you, careers focused on lifting up our communities - whether it's helping transform troubled schools or creating afterschool programs or training workers for green jobs - these careers are not always obvious, but today they are necessary. Solutions to our nation's most challenging social problems are not going to come from Washington alone. Real innovation often starts with individuals who apply themselves to solve a problem right in their own community. That's where the best ideas come from." -- First Lady Michelle Obama, Commencement Speech, University of California-Merced, Federal News Service, May 16, 2009
"There are many ways that business can help, including donating services, underwriting afterschool programs or providing internships to high school students before they get wrapped up in gangs. The same community spirit that causes businesses to adopt highways might inspire them to underwrite programs in particular neighborhoods. And that could mean fewer parents attending funerals for their children." -- Patrick J. Fitzgerald, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Chicago Tribune, May 27, 2009
"Even in the best of times, afterschool projects are a good way to give kids the extra help they need to keep from falling behind in school. In times like these, they are especially important because families are in more turmoil, parents are working more hours, and these programs help provide supervised activities to keep kids safe and out of trouble. That's why we pushed for more funding for after-school centers in the budget and why I asked for these funds to help continue these afterschool programs here in Wisconsin. There is nothing more important for the future of our children than a good education. Offering extra help with homework, advanced tutoring and an adult-supervised safe-haven free of trouble, these afterschool programs should help provide students a solid foundation for long-term success and a constructive alternative to channel their energies throughout the school year and summer." -- Representative David R. Obey (D-WI), US Fed News, June 3, 2009
California
Los Angeles' summer programs have become another casualty of the state budget crisis. The Los Angeles Unified School District will not offer summer classes and non-academic summer programs this year, except to students who need the credits to graduate. "This is unfortunate," superintendent Raymond C. Cortines told the New York Times. "This goes against my education values, but I have cut in every area, and the cuts I made first were farthest away from students." The cancellation will save the district $34 million, on top of the $563 million it has already cut from the budget. An estimated 225,000 students participate in summer programs in an average year.
Florida
Six high school students in Jacksonville were transformed into musical stars, dancers, producers and editors for a day on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus. The nonprofit mobile recording studio travels to schools, day camps and afterschool programs across the country, providing free workshops on recording and producing music and videos. The bus has enough equipment to produce an album for a professional rock band, the Florida Times-Union reports. "The level of technology here far exceeds what we could do in the school district," Ribault High School technology teacher DeAndre Jackson said. "It's a wonderful opportunity for these kids to integrate their talents and gain experience." To learn more about the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus or to watch videos made on the bus, click here.
Massachusetts
More than a hundred teens in Lowell rallied at City Hall to protest the loss of funding for the Lowell Teen Coalition, a program that puts teens in afterschool programs and other activities to reduce violence. The coalition, which includes several agencies, operates on $200,000 a year and reaches more than 1,000 youth. After the rally, the teens marched to the street where a young person was shot a few weeks earlier. Police Superintendent Kenneth Lavellee took part in the march. "Every community needs to deal with gang violence and other issues in a multi-faceted way, and the groups here today all play a pivotal role in minimizing violence in the city," he told the Lowell Sun. Rith Chak, a 20-year-old Lowell resident, agreed: "We need to continue to push to invest in programs that promote peace. We know the state has a difficult decision coming up with a budget, but we'd like to ask for continuous support for programs like the coalition."
Missouri
The Primitivo Garcia School in Kansas City is now home to the state Double-Dutch jump roping champions, a mere six weeks after most members of the group learned to Double-Dutch for the first time. The idea for the team came when the Kansas City School District joined the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' campaign to promote exercise in schools with jump ropes, the Kansas City Star reports. Their success was due, in part, to a student teacher who stepped up when the school's afterschool coordinator couldn't find a coach. Practicing before school and during recess, the students learned choreographed routines and flips to go with the jump roping. The rookies' hard work paid off at the statewide competition. To watch a video of their award- winning performance, click here.
New York
Eating healthy isn't the only reason to buy fresh vegetables at the Westside Farmers Market in Rochester - you'll also be supporting the Southwest Area Neighborhood Association's Grow Green Youth Entrepreneurship program. The afterschool program teaches youth how to run a business, starting with a concept, writing a business plan, executing it, and even letting students keep the profits. The 12- to 15-year-olds began growing vegetable plants last year and selling the produce at the local farmers' market. Because enrollment in the program almost tripled this year, they now have their own greenhouse where they also sell vegetables. The program operates year-round, working on side businesses in the winter, and has application and interview processes much like a real job, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports. To learn more about the Grow Green program, click here.
Ohio
More than 30 Cleveland youths went on a six-day bus tour through the southern United States to learn about the accomplishments of African Americans. The teens from Brotherhood, Respect, Intelligence, Conduct and Knowledge afterschool program stopped at historic civil rights sites in several states, and met director and actor Spike Lee as well as legendary baseball player Hank Aaron. The most thrilling moment for the teens was the graduation ceremony at Morehouse College in Atlanta, the Plain Dealer reports. Cleveland has a 54 percent graduation rate, and black males are especially at risk of not graduating. Governor Ted Strickland's $20 million 'Closing the Achievement Gap' initiative, which aims to increase black male graduation rates, provided funds for the afterschool program student's trip. "Just seeing all those black men walking so proudly in those lines. It made me wonder if I am going to be in that line someday," freshman Steven Dugard said.
Pennsylvania
Youth in Braddock and Duquesne are helping their communities get a little greener, and earning money while they're at it, thanks to summer programs run by AmeriCorps. The Ohringer Building in Braddock will become the site of the Mon Valley's first "green roof," covered in planters built by teens from the Braddock Youth Project and funded by a $100,000 Heinz Endowment grant. They will also earn money working in community gardens and on urban farms, while learning about green development, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. AmeriCorps members are launching a similar program in Duquesne to provide summer activities for youth in the high school afterschool program. The Duquesne Summer Youth Employment program will turn two empty lots into parks, constructing raised flower beds and planting vegetable gardens. The teens will also make a documentary about their city.
Resources
Staff Development in Science Focused Programs The Coalition for Science After-School has released a report examining the advancement of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) proficient afterschool staff. Strengthening After-School STEM Staff Development assesses current staff capabilities and examines a variety of strategies in place across the country to help staff learn and integrate STEM related activities into their curricula. The report also offers priorities and recommendations for the future of staff development in the STEM field. To view the report, click here.
Science Activities Offered in Afterschool Programs The Coalition for Science After-School has released the Science in After-School Market Research Study, in partnership with the Center for Research, Evaluation, and Assessment at the University of California, Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science. This survey of afterschool programs found that 88 percent are offering science, and most consider it a priority. Methods for finding science activities vary widely among programs, but 57 percent come up with their own science projects, like making slime and play dough, building volcanoes, monitoring the weather or studying trees. There is significant interest in offering science activities to youth and an understanding of its importance, but the survey found inconsistencies among science offerings. It identified lack of funds as the number one barrier for programs to offer science activities, even though some free or low-cost support materials are available. To view the market study, click here.
Extended Day Programs in Boston Citizen Schools, a lead partner in the Massachusetts Expanding Learning Time to Support Student Success Initiative (ELT), has issued a research brief on student and school performance at its three locations since the start of the afterschool programs. Citizen Schools' Contribution to Improved Learning in Expanded Learning Time Schools shows improvement in student achievement and test scores since the ELT launch in 2006, particularly in math. Students scoring proficient or above on math in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test increased 14 percent from 2006 to 2008. The brief outlines the steps taken by each school to adapt the ELT initiative, including staff training and development, merging classroom and afterschool instruction, and modifying already-existing programs. To view the research brief, click here.
Youth Development Resources Online Twelve government agencies have collaborated to offer a comprehensive website for youth programs and practitioners. An interactive mapping tool provides community-specific data, including census information, existing programs and available grants. The site also offers guidance on forming partnerships with other organizations in neighboring regions, conducting community assessments and a federal youth news feed. For more information, click here.
Award-Winning Afterschool Curriculum KIDS @fterschool is a multi-disciplinary afterschool curriculum, providing a year's worth of activities that meet Massachusetts state as well as national learning standards. It includes science, engineering, math, culture, art, health and literacy, and encourages problem solving and teamwork. The winner of the 2009 MetLife Foundation and Association of Children's Museums Promising Practice award, the program is available for free through the Boston Children's Museum. To download the KIDS @fterschool project, click here.
Curriculum Teaching Financial Responsibility America's Promise Alliance, in partnership with the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, has released an online curriculum, $aving Our Futures: A Financial Responsibility Program for Young People, to teach youth in middle and early high school about financial responsibility, and to advocate for smarter money management in their homes and communities and from elected officials. Designed as a companion to the critically acclaimed documentary about problems with the U.S. economy, I.O.U.S.A., $aving Our Futures provides opportunities for quality service-learning projects. The curriculum contains six chapters, an extensive resources section, and 26 modules that can be used in whole or part. $aving Our Futures is available free here.
Learn About Summer Food Programs on Afterschool Radio
When schools let out for the summer and children can no longer count on school breakfasts and lunches, summer food programs become an important support for many families. Tune in to Afterschool Radio at www.afterschoolalliance.org to hear the Afterschool Alliance's Jodi Grant interview Food Research and Action Center Executive Director Jim Weill about how summer food programs work, why they're so important and what impact the recession is having on demand for these programs.
Summer Learning Day
July 9 is National Summer Learning Day, sponsored by the National Center for Summer Learning, which is encouraging afterschool programs to host corresponding events the week of July 6 to bring attention to the importance of summer learning opportunities in their communities.
The National Center for Summer Learning offers several resources for programs that participate. An event planning kit is available on its website; it includes an event checklist, a media advisory template, and talking points on summer learning. The website also offers ideas for Summer Learning Day events.
Summer programs keep kids healthy and safe during a time when parents might struggle to keep them occupied or find quality child care, and help ensure that children are prepared to learn when they go back to school in the fall by keeping them engaged and academically challenged.
Register your event, use the event planning kit, and learn more about the benefits of summer programs here.
Use A4A for Discount on School Supplies
The Afterschool Alliance partnership with Discount School Supply gives friends of afterschool a ten percent discount on all school supply orders. To receive the discount, put the code A4A (it stands for Afterschool 4 All) in the pink promotional box when ordering supplies at www.discountschoolsupply.com. Or mention it when you call 1-800-627-2829 to place an order.
Mark Your Calendars...
* July 7 - July 9, 2009 The U.S. Department of Education and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, in conjunction with the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, will host the 21st Century Community Learning Centers' (CCLC) 2009 Summer Institute in Nashville, Tennessee. This year's theme, "The 21st CCLC Program: Realizing America's New Education Promise," captures the direction of the initiative as programs strive to develop afterschool activities that include and support the President's education goals and initiatives. Participants will attend general sessions that focus on the President's new education agenda, as well as receive technical assistance for management of 21st CCLC programs from a daily operational perspective. For information, click here.
* July 9, 2009 The National Center for Summer Learning will sponsor National Summer Learning Day, when afterschool programs host events to bring attention to the importance of summer learning opportunities. Information about the benefits of summer programs, an event planning kit, and registration information are available here.
* July 13 - 16, 2009 The National Institute for Out-of-School Time will sponsor its annual summer seminar series to provide training for afterschool professionals. The Boston, Massachusetts, event will address program evaluation, the changing landscape of out-of-school time, system and community building, technical assistance and more. For information, click here.
* October 22, 2009 The Afterschool Alliance will sponsor the 10th annual Lights On Afterschool, raising awareness of the benefits of afterschool in communities across the country. For more information, click here.
* November 3 - 5, 2009 The California Afterschool Network will host the first annual STEP UP- High School Summit in San Diego, California. Afterschool professionals, staff, and high school administrators will gather to discuss ideas and promising practices for high school afterschool programs. For more information on submitting a proposal, click here. For more information on the summit, click here.
* November 12 - 14, 2009 The National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts will sponsor the 2009 Conference for Community Arts Education in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The event provides networking opportunities and collaboration among arts education leaders, and will focus on how to grow these programs in tough economic times. Several discounts and cost-saving opportunities are available through the Guild. For more information, click here.
