New proposal calls for $6 billion in afterschool funding to support programs this fall

This week the Afterschool Alliance and the Bipartisan Policy Center along with a host of other organizations called on Congress to include at least $6.2 billion in 21^st Century Community Learning Center afterschool program support in the upcoming COVID relief package being negotiated now in Congress. School districts nationwide are announcing a variety of rotating schedules, virtual and online instruction, and alternating days to combat the spread of the coronavirus. While these plans promote safety for both children and teachers, many working parents will be challenged to find safe, supervised environments for their school-age children to learn in order for them to return to work this upcoming school year.  Congress needs to provide dedicated assistance for afterschool programs that provide engaging learning for school-age children and youth in order to support low-income parents less able to work from home and who face greater difficulty paying for care and educational programs for their children. This is essential for us to begin our economic recovery.

This fall, estimates suggest nearly 24 million workers with children between the ages of 6 and 14 will have no at-home child care option[1]. The Nita M. Lowey 21^st Century Community Learning Center program is the only federal grant program dedicated to funding afterschool, before-school, and summer learning centers. Grants from the 21^st Century Community Learning Center initiative help afterschool programs that primarily serve low-income communities by offering high quality programming for students who are not physically in a classroom as well enrichment activities like mentoring and tutoring that supplement student learning. 21^st CCLC’s unique blend of afterschool care and quality academic support would provide the consistent academic assistance students need to thrive during a school year with a constantly shifting format.

To support parents returning to work and ensure children can continue learning for the remainder of the COVID-19 emergency, an expansion of 21^st CCLC is necessary. A supplemental appropriation as part of the next COVID-19 relief bill with at least $6.2 billion in emergency federal funding for the program would allow state education agencies to fund partnerships between local educational agencies and community-based organizations in order to provide safe out-of-school programming and continued learning for students during hours they would otherwise be physically in a school classroom. Schools and parents will be forced to make their own tough decisions this fall regarding health and education – for low-income families, those choices will be greatly limited compared to their higher-income peers. It is critical that Congress provide sufficient support for ongoing education of students and continued workforce participation for parents. 

Share the need for additional afterschool program support including space, the need for more time and more staff, the successes, and also the challenges around sanitation and safety, local funding shortages, and the uncertainties ahead. Your elected officials at all levels want to know how your students and families are doing, how the program is fairing, and what they can do to ensure students are supported by afterschool and summer in the fall. Check out our action alert tool here for a template and be sure to add your own experiences!