2023 state budgets bring new investments in afterschool programs

The end of state legislative sessions have now come to a close in most states, and with this closure comes news of new states establishing afterschool funding streams or expanding existing ones in their state budgets. This year, four new states have joined a growing list of states that support afterschool programs through their budgets.

Newly established funding streams

Minnesota – In Governor Walz’s (D) budget proposal earlier this year, he proposed a $45 million investment over four years in the Afterschool Community Learning Grant, a program that has existed in MN for the better part of this century, but has been unfunded for more than 10 years. In the budget finalized by the legislature and governor in May, $30 million was provided to the Afterschool Community Learning Grant over four years.

Texas – The final biennium (two year) state budget for Texas included a $5 million investment in afterschool programs, with a specific focus on mental health. The funding will be targeted to community-based organizations (CBO’s) and will provide Texas students and families with the first ever dedicated state funding for afterschool. 

New Mexico – New Mexico has made investments over the last few years in extended learning time, but the FY2024 budget included a first of its kind investment directly in out-of-school time programs, with $10 million provided for afterschool and summer learning programs. A portion ($2.5 million) of these funds will be dedicated to CBO operated programs, with the remaining $7.5 million made eligible to schools.  

Michigan – While Michigan technically provided new funding for afterschool and summer programs in last year’s state budget, the $25 million investment drew from federal relief funds. This year’s state budget includes $50 million for afterschool and summer programs, supported through the states general fund. With federal relief funds winding down and the deadline to spend them coming soon, this investment in state dollars should help ensure more sustainability in the new funding stream moving forward. 

Rhode Island – Governor Dan McKee’s (D) proposed proposed investing $4 million to expand OST programs earlier this year. The final state budget included this $4 million proposal, dubbed Learn365RI, to expand learning beyond the 180 day school calendar and match the education progress made in neighboring Massachusetts.

Expanded funding for afterschool

Alabama – In 2022, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) proposed the Afterschool and Summer Program pilot, which was ultimately funded at $1.5 million in the state budget. This year, Governor Ivey proposed an increase of $1.3 million for a total of $2.8 million for the Afterschool and Summer Program, which was included in the state budget that passed this spring.

Illinois – The Illinois state budget passed in late May includes a $1.1 million increase in funding for the Teen Responsibility, Education, Achievement, Caring and Hope (Teen REACH) program, bringing it to $17.82 million in total funding. The budget also included $25 million for the Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) After School Programs grant, which is an increase of $5 million dollars over previous funding levels for the program.

Policy changes to existing programs

New York – While funding for New York’s afterschool and summer learning programs remained level this year, there were regulatory changes made to the varying afterschool programs in the state to align all of the existing afterschool programs under the State’s Office of Children and Family Services. The Empire State After-School program move from the State Education Department to OCFS should help to ensure continuity and alignment with the Advantage After School Program.