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Sec. Duncan Takes Afterschool Challenge; Unprecendented Times for Afterschool

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Sec. Duncan Takes Afterschool Challenge; Unprecendented Times for Afterschool

 Afterschool friends, I have exciting news to share: U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will be speaking at our Afterschool for All Challenge"Breakfast of Champions" later this month. This is an important moment for afterschool. While the grim economic situation poses huge challenges for programs and the families we serve, we also are poised to see the benefits from a decade of intensive work. Policy makers and the public increasingly recognize that afterschool programs are vitally important to families, communities and our nation - now and for our future.

 
Our joint successes in recent months have been astounding. The economic recovery package includes hundreds of millions of dollars that potentially can support afterschool programs and the children who rely on them. Secretary Duncan has made it clear that education dollars should be used to fuel reform – and that afterschool, extended learning and summer are part of his vision for the future of education. (I encourage you to learn how you can tap recovery funds, and see ideas from your colleagues at www.afterschoolwiki.org.)   

On Capitol Hill, Congress increased afterschool funding by $50 million in Fiscal Year 2009, and the Senate just passed an amendment to provide more funds in the 2010 budget. We were able to achieve this because, together, we have built broad, deep support for afterschool on both sides of the political aisle over the past ten years.  Together, we have demonstrated in indelible ways that afterschool can be a cost-effective platform for meeting the needs of children, families and communities.

 While we have cause to celebrate, we also have a lot more work to do. If you have not already, please take a minute to tell us how the recession is affecting your program. We will publish a report on the findings to call attention to the challenges facing afterschool and the kids and families you serve.
 
We have a real opportunity not only to increase the nation’s investment in afterschool, but also to position our work in afterschool as a guidepost for how to re-shape a host of policies, some of which are being re-built from the ground up.  We can help the nation rethink education in terms of how, when and where children learn; inform decisions about how best to deliver health care and end hunger; reshape community service and engagement; guide policies affecting work/family balance; and much more.  
You may have noticed that we have been sending out more frequent email alerts. With this posting, we are also excited to launch our blog, the Afterschool Snack. These communications efforts have been developed in response to the many requests we’ve received from you, as well as our strong belief that we can, and must, take advantage of the window before us.  
 
There is a hunger here in Washington for new approaches that will not only restore, but also sustain our economy, educate our children, and keep families healthy and prepared to meet the challenges that lie ahead.  As tough as they are, struggles bring with them opportunities, and we must continue sharing our work so it can inform the key decisions that lie ahead.  I look forward to seeing many of you later this month, as our small army of afterschool advocates descends on Capitol Hill to speak with Members of Congress at the Afterschool for All Challenge, and invite all of you who cannot make it to take action from home.  
 
Together, I know we will continue reaching out and sharing the lessons of our work, so the nation can benefit.  Thank you for all you are doing to help America’s children and families.