The Afterschool for All Challenge: A Policy Perspective

What happens when you bring to the nation’s capital 350 parents, young people, educators, community leaders and program directors, all of whom are passionate about afterschool programs?  Quite a bit.  As a result of the Afterschool for All Challenge in Washington, D.C., this week, the policy goal of advancing afterschool for all got a substantial boost:

• Advocates from over 40 states met with 220 Members of Congress and their staff, both in D.C. as well as in the home districts of a number of Members, supporting a federal investment in afterschool programs.  
• Over 22 Members of the House of Representatives signed a Dear Colleague letter supporting the President’s request of $100 million increase for the 21^st Century Community Learning Centers initiative in the FY2012 budget.
• Sen. Boxer, chair of the Afterschool Caucus, along with Sens. Begich, Murray, Shaheen and Whitehouse and Rep. Cicilline, all spoke passionately at the “Breakfast of Champions” about the value of afterschool programs and the positive influence these programs have on the behavioral and academic sides of young people.  
• Over 140 e-mails and faxes were sent to Members of Congress on Tuesday by advocates who did not attend the Afterschool For All Challenge.
• Important afterschool policy issues were raised with Members of Congress: a strengthened 21^st CCLC as part of the ESEA reauthorization process, STEM education afterschool and better access to federal background checks for staff and volunteers.  
• Feedback from the many meetings with Members of Congress continues to roll in, with a large majority indicating their support for continued federal funding of afterschool programs.

A hearty thank you to all who participated, both in person and virtually.  There is still much to do and many tools available to those who wish to make a difference right now!