Archives:

Select:

American Rescue Plan passes Senate, contains billions in support for afterschool and summer learning

READ FULL STORY

American Rescue Plan passes Senate, contains billions in support for afterschool and summer learning

Update March 8, 4 p.m. ET: Reflects updated funding levels and amounts

The U.S. Senate joined the House of Representatives in passing the American Rescue Plan (ARP) on March 6. In all, the Senate bill could make $8.45 billion available at the state level for afterschool and summer programs, across all states; and $21.9 billion at the local level for afterschool and summer. To get a sense of the tremendous impact this funding could make, consider that $8.45 billion would provide programming for almost 9 million students in need.

Senate approved the measure by a vote of 50-49. The bill was modified from the House-passed version but still provides significant directed funding for afterschool and summer learning programs that support student success. The new version of the bill, which the Senate passed through the budget reconciliation process, now goes back to the House for final approval. The House is expected to pass it early next week. President Biden is then expected to quickly sign it into law. 

The Senate-passed version of the ARP provides $121.975 billion for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) III grants to State Education Agencies (SEA) for PK-12 public schools, with 90% allocated to local educational agencies (LEAs), following the same terms and conditions for funds provided in fiscal year 2021 for the ESSER II Fund, which include afterschool and summer learning as allowable uses. The new version also adds implementation of full-service community schools as an allowable use of funds and adds summer enrichment in the examples of allowable activities to address learning loss. The bill includes the following provisions related to education and out of school time support:

  • Requires LEAs to reserve at least 20% of their ESSER III sub-grants (about $21.9 billion) to promote learning recovery including comprehensive afterschool programs and summer learning or enrichment programs. Extended school day, extended school year, and other strategies and interventions are also allowable. Activities provided should be evidence-based interventions that respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs, and address the impact of the coronavirus on low income students and students experiencing homelessness and children and youth in foster care.
    • LEA ESSER III, Total amount eligible for afterschool and summer programs: $21.9 billion
  • Requires SEAs to reserve at least 5% (estimated to be about $6.01 billion nationally) of new ESSER III allocations for grants and contracts to carry out activities to promote learning recovery including comprehensive afterschool programs and summer learning programs. Extended school day, extended school year, and other strategies and interventions are also allowable. Activities should be evidence-based interventions that respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and address the impact of the coronavirus on low income students and students experiencing homelessness and children and youth in foster care.
    • SEA ESSER III, Total amount eligible for afterschool and summer programs: ~$6.01 billion
  • Requires SEAs to additionally reserve at least 1% (about $1.219 billion) to provide, directly or through grants and contracts, evidence-based summer enrichment programs that respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and address the impact of the coronavirus on low income students and students experiencing homelessness and children and youth in foster care.
    • SEA ESSER III 1% reserve for summer enrichment: ~$1.219 billion
  • Requires SEAs to also reserve at least 1% (about $1.219 billion) to provide, directly or through grants and contracts, evidence-based comprehensive afterschool programs that respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and address the impact of the coronavirus on low income students and students experiencing homelessness and children and youth in foster care.
    • SEA ESSER III 1% reserve for afterschool programs: ~$1.219 billion

The afterschool and summer learning fields are grateful to the many students, parents, providers, and other advocates that made their voices heard, and for the support of many bipartisan members of the House and Senate who have played a role over the past year in championing the need for out of school time funding to help students and families impacted by the pandemic. These include Senators Bennet (D-Col.), Murkowski (R-Alaska), Murphy (D-Conn.), Murray (D-Wash.),  Sanders (I-Vt.), and Smith (D-Minn.); and Representatives Bonamici (D-Ore.), Cicilline (D-R.I.), Courtney (D-Conn.), DeLauro (D-Conn.), Evans (D-Penn.), Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.), Kildee (D-Mich.), Scott (D-Va.), Van Drew (R- N.J.), Wild (D-Penn.), and Young (R-Alaska). Additionally we are grateful to the many local, state, and national organizations that have worked diligently for almost a year to make the case for support for local out of school time programs to be able to serve families and children during the pandemic. 

The bill also includes approximately $3 billion for the states to provide services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as well as $2.75 million for non-public schools that will flow through Governor’s offices. Additionally during Senate floor consideration a bipartisan amendment offered by Senator Murkowski was approved, directing $800 million to identify and assist homeless youth, providing them with wrap around supports.

The bill modifies the House provisions related to maintenance of effort and maintenance of equity, with the intent to ensure higher-poverty LEAs and schools do not face disproportionate cuts. This amendment would change the methodology for determining which high-need LEAs, highest poverty LEAs, and high-poverty schools are protected under the maintenance of equity provision’s fiscal guardrails. Education funds within the ARP must be obligated within a year of the bill passing with rapid timeframes for funding going from the federal, to the state, to the local level. The bill requires all states to subgrant ESSER III funds to their LEAs, to the extent practicable, not later than 60 days after the State receives their funds. Funds can be spent until the end of September 2023.

These changes should ensure that all afterschool and summer learning providers, including community based organizations, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, local government (park and recreation departments and libraries), day and overnight camps, and other youth development organizations have access to much needed funding and support at the state level and great opportunities for partnerships with schools at the local level. The research is clear that afterschool and summer learning programs have a solid evidence base to effectively support students and help them with learning recovery and thrive. In 2019 the Wallace Foundation released reports on afterschool programs and summer learning programs that identified programs meeting the most rigorous evidence standards of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. Throughout the pandemic, out of school time programs have been at the forefront of supporting students and families through community learning hubs, in-person and virtual programming, providing meals, and more.

The ARP also provides support for the child care system and helps makes child care more affordable for families. The bill stabilizes the child care system by investing a total of $39 billion in child care, $15 billion through the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program (CCBDG) and $24 billion through a child care stabilization fund. Providers serving school-age children are eligible for these funds as well. Child care providers receiving funds must provide financial relief for families, to the extent possible. The Center for Law and Social Policy published an estimated breakdown of these funds by state, which can be accessed here.

Also included is $1 billion in new funds for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the National Service Trust to support an increase in AmeriCorps volunteers to respond to communities impacted by COVID-19. This includes helping schools safely reopen and tackling the growing hunger crisis. Grants will be prioritized based on grantees located in and recruiting from communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and taking into account the diversity of communities and participants served by such entities, including racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, linguistic, or geographic diversity.

The package also includes $7 billion in emergency funding for the Federal Communications Commission’s E-Rate program to address the “homework gap” and lost opportunities to learn by equipping students and educators with internet access and devices for remote teaching and learning.

Of note, the bill also addresses the tragic surge in child hunger by preserving and expanding critical food assistance for children and families. The bill:

  • Maintains and expands the Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT) program by investing more than $5 billion in P-EBT so that low-income families have access to food assistance during both the school year and summer months.
  • Includes more than $800 million for the WIC program, which supports low-income women and infants, and boosts the value of WIC Cash Value Vouchers (CVV) for vulnerable mothers and children.
  • Temporarily expands the age of eligibility for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) at emergency homeless shelters, to ensure more young adults can access needed nutrition support.

Lastly, the ARP includes $350 billion in state and local aid to help avoid further layoffs of educators and other essential public servants. The local and state government funds can also be used for child care and a wide range of activities and services.

After the legislation is signed into law, implementation by the Department of Education and other agencies as well as by SEAs at the state level will be critical in ensuring these funding resources are made available in a timely and efficient manner so that providers can act quickly to make programming available for young people. Look for additional information on the implementation process to be available soon.

Child care momentum continues with a re-introduced bill for CCDBG

On August 1, Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced the Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2024. The act builds on the current Child Care and Development Block Grant legislation last reauthorized in 2014. Additional co-sponsors include Todd Young (R-IN), Susan...

BY: Jillian Luchner      08/13/24

Senate appropriators propose level funding for 21st CCLC in FY 2025

The Senate Appropriations Committee released and marked up their Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill on August 1, 2024. The bill proposes $231.34 billion in base discretionary funding for Fiscal Year 2025, and the Committee approved the bill along...

BY: Erik Peterson      08/02/24

Summer for All legislation introduced in the Senate

On July 26, at Camp Courant summer learning program in Farmington, CT, Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced the introduction of the Summer for All Act. The new federal legislation aims to help provide high-quality summer enrichment opportunities to all children, youth and families, and...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/30/24

Appropriations update: House Committee passes FY 2025 Education Spending Bill, Senate starts process

This week, both the House and Senate made progress on the FY 2025 appropriations cycle. The House Appropriations Committee continued to approve bills sent to them by the 12 spending subcommittees, while the Senate got its process started by deciding topline figures. House Committee acts on...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/12/24

Key House subcommittee makes deep cuts to education spending in FY 25

On June 27, the House of Representatives Labor, Health and Human Services, Education (LHHS-ED) and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee marked up its FY 2025 spending bill. Overall, the FY 2025 Labor-Health and Humans Services-Education bill (Labor-H) provides $68.1 billion for Department...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/27/24

House advances legislation that would improve youth workforce development

On April 9, the US House of Representatives approved H.R. 6655, “A Stronger Workforce for America Act,” by a vote of 378 to 26. The bipartisan legislation reauthorizes and makes critical improvements to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and seeks to expand skills...

BY: Erik Peterson      04/26/24

Two new bills in Congress aim to support young people through afterschool programs

While funding battles and impeachment debates continue to dominate the headlines from Capitol Hill, two new bipartisan bills were introduced in Congress in recent weeks that, if passed, could help support local afterschool programs and the young people they serve. Senators Cortez-Masto...

BY: Chris Neitzey      04/22/24

FY 2024 Appropriations update: Six spending bills passed; new deadline for education spending

Crisis averted. Yet again. The first week of March was another “shutdown week” in Washington, D.C. However, by week’s end, the House and Senate had passed a package of six appropriations bills that headed off a partial federal government shutdown, as funding for four spending...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/13/24

Biden administration releases FY 2025 budget proposal, includes afterschool related increases

Today, the Biden administration released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 discretionary budget request, formally kicking off the FY2025 appropriations process. With regard to afterschool and summer learning support, the proposal requests $1.3 billion for afterschool and summer programs funded through the...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/11/24

Office of Child Care finalizes their rule on the Child Care and Development Funds

The heavily anticipated CCDF Final Rule regulating Child Care and Development Funds became public on February 29, 2024. The Office of Child Care has a page outlining the changes and will be offering a webinar to the field on March 7 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. EST. The rule creates new conditions...

BY: Jillian Luchner      02/29/24

Child care momentum continues with a re-introduced bill for CCDBG

On August 1, Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced the Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2024. The act builds on the current Child Care and Development Block Grant legislation last reauthorized in 2014. Additional co-sponsors include Todd Young (R-IN), Susan...

BY: Jillian Luchner      08/13/24

Senate appropriators propose level funding for 21st CCLC in FY 2025

The Senate Appropriations Committee released and marked up their Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill on August 1, 2024. The bill proposes $231.34 billion in base discretionary funding for Fiscal Year 2025, and the Committee approved the bill along...

BY: Erik Peterson      08/02/24

Summer for All legislation introduced in the Senate

On July 26, at Camp Courant summer learning program in Farmington, CT, Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced the introduction of the Summer for All Act. The new federal legislation aims to help provide high-quality summer enrichment opportunities to all children, youth and families, and...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/30/24

Senate Finance Committee examines the State of Child Care

On July 9, 2024, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing titled "Examining the State of Child Care: How Federal Policy Solutions Can Support Families, Close Existing Gaps, and Strengthen Economic Growth." This hearing addressed the urgent child care crisis in the United States. The...

BY: Jamaiya Nowling      07/25/24

Appropriations update: House Committee passes FY 2025 Education Spending Bill, Senate starts process

This week, both the House and Senate made progress on the FY 2025 appropriations cycle. The House Appropriations Committee continued to approve bills sent to them by the 12 spending subcommittees, while the Senate got its process started by deciding topline figures. House Committee acts on...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/12/24

Key House subcommittee makes deep cuts to education spending in FY 25

On June 27, the House of Representatives Labor, Health and Human Services, Education (LHHS-ED) and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee marked up its FY 2025 spending bill. Overall, the FY 2025 Labor-Health and Humans Services-Education bill (Labor-H) provides $68.1 billion for Department...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/27/24

FY 25 appropriations process hits its stride, time to advocate for afterschool

After many delays, Congress finished work on fiscal year (FY) 2024 spending bills in late March, allowing lawmakers to immediately turn to the FY 2025 process. The House Appropriations Committee has a new Chairman, both House and Senate Appropriation Committees have released guidance for spending...

BY: Erik Peterson      05/03/24

House advances legislation that would improve youth workforce development

On April 9, the US House of Representatives approved H.R. 6655, “A Stronger Workforce for America Act,” by a vote of 378 to 26. The bipartisan legislation reauthorizes and makes critical improvements to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and seeks to expand skills...

BY: Erik Peterson      04/26/24

Two new bills in Congress aim to support young people through afterschool programs

While funding battles and impeachment debates continue to dominate the headlines from Capitol Hill, two new bipartisan bills were introduced in Congress in recent weeks that, if passed, could help support local afterschool programs and the young people they serve. Senators Cortez-Masto...

BY: Chris Neitzey      04/22/24

Congress poised to resolve FY 2024 spending with 6-bill package, including support for afterschool and summer programs

Update, March 25, 2024:The Senate passed the measure early Saturday morning, and the bill has been signed into law by President Biden. Update, March 22, 2024: The House of Representatives passed the FY 2024 six-bill package on Friday morning by a vote of 286-134. Read the statement by Jodi...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/21/24

Senate appropriators propose level funding for 21st CCLC in FY 2025

The Senate Appropriations Committee released and marked up their Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill on August 1, 2024. The bill proposes $231.34 billion in base discretionary funding for Fiscal Year 2025, and the Committee approved the bill along...

BY: Erik Peterson      08/02/24

Senate Finance Committee examines the State of Child Care

On July 9, 2024, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing titled "Examining the State of Child Care: How Federal Policy Solutions Can Support Families, Close Existing Gaps, and Strengthen Economic Growth." This hearing addressed the urgent child care crisis in the United States. The...

BY: Jamaiya Nowling      07/25/24

Appropriations update: House Committee passes FY 2025 Education Spending Bill, Senate starts process

This week, both the House and Senate made progress on the FY 2025 appropriations cycle. The House Appropriations Committee continued to approve bills sent to them by the 12 spending subcommittees, while the Senate got its process started by deciding topline figures. House Committee acts on...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/12/24

Key House subcommittee makes deep cuts to education spending in FY 25

On June 27, the House of Representatives Labor, Health and Human Services, Education (LHHS-ED) and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee marked up its FY 2025 spending bill. Overall, the FY 2025 Labor-Health and Humans Services-Education bill (Labor-H) provides $68.1 billion for Department...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/27/24

FY 25 appropriations process hits its stride, time to advocate for afterschool

After many delays, Congress finished work on fiscal year (FY) 2024 spending bills in late March, allowing lawmakers to immediately turn to the FY 2025 process. The House Appropriations Committee has a new Chairman, both House and Senate Appropriation Committees have released guidance for spending...

BY: Erik Peterson      05/03/24

Congress poised to resolve FY 2024 spending with 6-bill package, including support for afterschool and summer programs

Update, March 25, 2024:The Senate passed the measure early Saturday morning, and the bill has been signed into law by President Biden. Update, March 22, 2024: The House of Representatives passed the FY 2024 six-bill package on Friday morning by a vote of 286-134. Read the statement by Jodi...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/21/24

FY 2024 Appropriations update: Six spending bills passed; new deadline for education spending

Crisis averted. Yet again. The first week of March was another “shutdown week” in Washington, D.C. However, by week’s end, the House and Senate had passed a package of six appropriations bills that headed off a partial federal government shutdown, as funding for four spending...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/13/24

Biden administration releases FY 2025 budget proposal, includes afterschool related increases

Today, the Biden administration released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 discretionary budget request, formally kicking off the FY2025 appropriations process. With regard to afterschool and summer learning support, the proposal requests $1.3 billion for afterschool and summer programs funded through the...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/11/24

Appropriations update: Countdown till next CR deadline

Update – March 1, 2024: Today the Senate followed the House in passing a fourth continuing resolution which extends FY 2024 federal government spending to March 8 for four appropriations bill and March 22 for the remaining eight bills. This prevents a partial government shutdown from...

BY: Erik Peterson      01/18/24

21st CCLC is 25: Join us in an upcoming year of visioning the future of 21st Century Community Learning Centers

As the year wraps up, we offer a final cheer in celebration of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative’s twenty fifth year! It was a year filled with an information packed 21st CCLC Summer Institute; the continuation of the federal Engage Every Student...

BY: Jillian Luchner      12/20/23

Child care momentum continues with a re-introduced bill for CCDBG

On August 1, Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced the Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2024. The act builds on the current Child Care and Development Block Grant legislation last reauthorized in 2014. Additional co-sponsors include Todd Young (R-IN), Susan...

BY: Jillian Luchner      08/13/24

Pennsylvania approves $11.5 million for local afterschool and summer programs

On July 11, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed into law the Shapiro-Davis budget creating the Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) Program as part of a comprehensive approach to making Pennsylvania communities safer. This represents the first dedicated funding for local...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/22/24

State budget roundup for afterschool: Part 1

Last year saw the addition of four states – Minnesota, Texas, New Mexico, and Michigan – to the growing list of states investing in afterschool and summer programming. This year, with the majority of state legislative sessions coming to a close, we can add four more to that total....

BY: Chris Neitzey      05/22/24

New resource: Designing State Child Care Systems with Intentional Supports for Children and Youth 5-13

The State Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) planning process is in full swing, and states are envisioning how to best provide quality support and access to care for eligible children and youth aged 0-13. It’s a big endeavor, and it truly takes a village. The Administration of...

BY: Jillian Luchner      05/06/24

New York takes steps to build stronger state afterschool system

By Gabby Schwartz, Policy Coordinator, New York State Network for Youth Success. In February, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced an investment of $100 million in grants for a new afterschool program, the Learning and Enrichment After-school Program Supports (LEAPS). This new program...

BY: Guest Blogger      05/02/24

It’s time for school-age advocates to raise their voices in state plans

The state child care planning template for the next three years is out! From now until July 1, State Administrative Agencies will be determining how to spend over $12 billion annually in federal Child Care and Development Funds (CCDF) dedicated to helping eligible families find affordable,...

BY: Jillian Luchner      04/19/24

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro proposes $11.5 million in state funding for afterschool programs

Photo by Andre Frueh on Unsplash During Governor Josh Shapiro’s (D) budget address on February 6, a proposal for $11.5 million in state funding for afterschool programs was included, which would establish the first dedicated funding for afterschool in Pennsylvania. The proposal comes after...

BY: Chris Neitzey      02/08/24

Changes coming to summer meals program for summer 2024

While snow is on the ground in many parts of the country, it is not too early to think about summer learning and enrichment program planning, and how to ensure nutritious meals are part of all comprehensive summer learning programs. On December 29, 2023, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)...

BY: Erik Peterson      01/22/24

Community schools: New grants, new legislation, continued synergy with afterschool and summer

Late last month, a new round of Full Service Community Schools grants were announced by the US Department of Education, including several state scaling grants for IL, ID, FL and NC. Also in late November, U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Ben...

BY: Erik Peterson      12/18/23

Year in review: 2023 state budget success

This year’s state budget session was one of the most impactful regarding growing investments in afterschool and summer programs at the state level. We saw newcomers join a growing number of states utilizing state funds to create afterschool funding streams. We also saw states with existing...

BY: Chris Neitzey      12/14/23

FY 25 appropriations process hits its stride, time to advocate for afterschool

After many delays, Congress finished work on fiscal year (FY) 2024 spending bills in late March, allowing lawmakers to immediately turn to the FY 2025 process. The House Appropriations Committee has a new Chairman, both House and Senate Appropriation Committees have released guidance for spending...

BY: Erik Peterson      05/03/24

Congress poised to resolve FY 2024 spending with 6-bill package, including support for afterschool and summer programs

Update, March 25, 2024:The Senate passed the measure early Saturday morning, and the bill has been signed into law by President Biden. Update, March 22, 2024: The House of Representatives passed the FY 2024 six-bill package on Friday morning by a vote of 286-134. Read the statement by Jodi...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/21/24

White House Domestic Policy Council focuses on summer learning

Photo by René DeAnda on Unsplash On March 13, just days after the administration released their FY 2025 budget proposal, the White House Domestic Policy Council (DPC) hosted a Summer Learning Convening in the White House Executive Office Building. The meeting was kicked off by DPC...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/18/24

Afterschool and summer learning called out in Improving Student Achievement agenda

Earlier this month the Biden administration announced a new effort focused on providing students with the support they need to accelerate learning and be successful in school and life. The Improving Student Achievement Agenda for 2024 was launched at the White House on January 17 and is focused on...

BY: Erik Peterson      02/01/24

Extending the liquidation deadline of ESSER III funds to promote student success

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education released a letter sent to state education agencies outlining the process for requesting American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding extensions. The process will be similar to what was announced for ESSER I and...

BY: Erik Peterson      01/19/24

21st CCLC is 25: Join us in an upcoming year of visioning the future of 21st Century Community Learning Centers

As the year wraps up, we offer a final cheer in celebration of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative’s twenty fifth year! It was a year filled with an information packed 21st CCLC Summer Institute; the continuation of the federal Engage Every Student...

BY: Jillian Luchner      12/20/23

New law clarifies the use of federal funds for archery and other programs

Image by 422737 from Pixabay Last week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the “Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act” (H.R. 5110). The law specifically allows schools to use federal education funds for archery, hunting, or other shooting sports. The bipartisan legislation...

BY: Erik Peterson      10/04/23

Beyond relief – New tools to help sustain the impactful pandemic investments in afterschool and summer

Children’s Funding Project, in collaboration with Grantmakers for Education and our team at the Afterschool Alliance released an important new tool for the field, “Funding Out-Of-School Time Programs – Now and in the Future.” Recognizing that COVID-19 education and child...

BY: Jillian Luchner      09/29/23

OST college preparation programs close opportunity gaps for students of color

On June 29, 2023, the United States Supreme Court ended the use of race-based admission policies at higher education institutions. As an advocate for equitable education and a current college student who comes from a background that would qualify me to be a beneficiary of affirmative action, I am...

BY: Mazzi Ingram      08/22/23

ED extends time for comments on 21st CCLC Draft Non-Regulatory Guidance

Afterschool providers and allies now have until July 7 to comment on the 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) Draft Non-Regulatory Guidance. We are grateful to the Department of Education for recognizing the significance of this updated guidance and providing additional time for feedback....

BY: Jillian Luchner      06/22/23

Senate appropriators propose level funding for 21st CCLC in FY 2025

The Senate Appropriations Committee released and marked up their Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill on August 1, 2024. The bill proposes $231.34 billion in base discretionary funding for Fiscal Year 2025, and the Committee approved the bill along...

BY: Erik Peterson      08/02/24

Key House subcommittee makes deep cuts to education spending in FY 25

On June 27, the House of Representatives Labor, Health and Human Services, Education (LHHS-ED) and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee marked up its FY 2025 spending bill. Overall, the FY 2025 Labor-Health and Humans Services-Education bill (Labor-H) provides $68.1 billion for Department...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/27/24

Congress poised to resolve FY 2024 spending with 6-bill package, including support for afterschool and summer programs

Update, March 25, 2024:The Senate passed the measure early Saturday morning, and the bill has been signed into law by President Biden. Update, March 22, 2024: The House of Representatives passed the FY 2024 six-bill package on Friday morning by a vote of 286-134. Read the statement by Jodi...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/21/24

FY 2024 Appropriations update: Six spending bills passed; new deadline for education spending

Crisis averted. Yet again. The first week of March was another “shutdown week” in Washington, D.C. However, by week’s end, the House and Senate had passed a package of six appropriations bills that headed off a partial federal government shutdown, as funding for four spending...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/13/24

Biden administration releases FY 2025 budget proposal, includes afterschool related increases

Today, the Biden administration released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 discretionary budget request, formally kicking off the FY2025 appropriations process. With regard to afterschool and summer learning support, the proposal requests $1.3 billion for afterschool and summer programs funded through the...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/11/24

FY 24 Appropriations update: Continuing Resolution, education spending bills, and… shutdown averted?

Update – Nov. 16, 2023: Last night the ‘two-tiered’ Continuing Resolution that will keep federal funding intact until Jan. 19, 2024, (for Military Construction-VA, Agriculture, Energy and Water, and Transportation-HUDs) and until Feb. 2, 2024, (for all other federal agencies...

BY: Erik Peterson      11/15/23

Federal appropriations update: Are we headed for a shutdown?

Congress is back in session after its annual August recess, and at the top of their to-do list is addressing spending for the fiscal year that begins October 1. As we touched on last month, lawmakers are staring down a fast-approaching deadline for action on FY 2024 spending. It is clear that...

BY: Erik Peterson      09/15/23

Summer is ending! What is the status of appropriations for STEM education on Capitol Hill?

As is the case each August, Congress has left Washington D.C., for several weeks. The month’s slower pace gives STEM, education and afterschool advocates an opportunity to digest what happened in the frantic days before the recess and assess what remains to be done in 2023. The annual...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      08/28/23

Back to school means back to D.C. for Congress. What’s ahead in September?

The slower pace of August in Washington, D.C., is nearing its end. The imminent return of the U.S. Congress to Capitol Hill and the people’s business suggests the need for revisiting what lawmakers did before the August recess and what faces them in September. As students and teachers go back...

BY: Erik Peterson      08/25/23

Senate appropriators propose level funding for 21st CCLC in FY 2024

The Senate Appropriations Committee released and marked up their Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill on July 27, 2023. The bill proposes $224.4 billion in total funding for Fiscal Year 2024. The Nita M Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Initiative...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/31/23

FY 2024 Appropriations update: Six spending bills passed; new deadline for education spending

Crisis averted. Yet again. The first week of March was another “shutdown week” in Washington, D.C. However, by week’s end, the House and Senate had passed a package of six appropriations bills that headed off a partial federal government shutdown, as funding for four spending...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/13/24

Comments sought on proposed change to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) regulations

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) recently proposed changes to improve the effectiveness and integrity of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) regulations. This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is meant to help...

BY: Erik Peterson      11/21/23

Summer is ending! What is the status of appropriations for STEM education on Capitol Hill?

As is the case each August, Congress has left Washington D.C., for several weeks. The month’s slower pace gives STEM, education and afterschool advocates an opportunity to digest what happened in the frantic days before the recess and assess what remains to be done in 2023. The annual...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      08/28/23

Back to school means back to D.C. for Congress. What’s ahead in September?

The slower pace of August in Washington, D.C., is nearing its end. The imminent return of the U.S. Congress to Capitol Hill and the people’s business suggests the need for revisiting what lawmakers did before the August recess and what faces them in September. As students and teachers go back...

BY: Erik Peterson      08/25/23

Senate appropriators propose level funding for 21st CCLC in FY 2024

The Senate Appropriations Committee released and marked up their Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill on July 27, 2023. The bill proposes $224.4 billion in total funding for Fiscal Year 2024. The Nita M Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Initiative...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/31/23

House Appropriators mark-up FY 2024 Education spending bill

This week, the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee pushed the FY 2024 appropriations process forward by holding multiple subcommittee mark-ups. On Friday, July 14, the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education (LHHS-ED) and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee marked up its...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/14/23

Congress passes deal to raise debt limit and constrain spending

UPDATE: June 2, 2023: Late on the night of June 1, the U.S. Senate passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act by a vote of 63-36, about 24 hours after the House passed the bill with a bipartisan vote of 314-117. The President is expected to sign the bill into law today. On May 31, the House passed the...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/01/23

March madness = Budget & appropriations process kickoff!

This year, early March means the release of the president’s budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year and the beginning of the FY 2024 appropriations process in Congress. Here's what we know so far about how this year’s process may roll out in the coming year.  On or...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/01/23

STEM education update: Good news and looking ahead

In the final weeks of 2022, Congress passed a $1.7 trillion spending bill to fund every agency through the end of fiscal year (FY) 2023. The bill was the product of weeks of negotiations and defense spending, supporting the CHIPS and Science Act and some policy issues attached to the bill took...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      02/23/23

Mammoth spending bill includes support for afterschool, summer, mentoring, and more

In December, the 117th Congress approved a $1.7 trillion bill that included a $40 million increase for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative and additional increases across the US Department of Education important to afterschool programs, public schools,...

BY: Erik Peterson      01/23/23