Archives:

Select:

Hearings and letters: Support broadens on Capitol Hill for 21st Century Community Learning Centers

READ FULL STORY

Hearings and letters: Support broadens on Capitol Hill for 21st Century Community Learning Centers

For friends of afterschool, the last week of March has been a busy one in Washington, D.C., with both the House and the Senate holding education appropriations hearings and letters of support for 21st Century Community Learning Center afterschool and summer learning programs submitted to appropriators.

On Tuesday, March 26, while afterschool advocates nationwide were celebrating #3to6Day on social media, promoting many amazing afterschool success stories, the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing on the Department of Education’s Budget Request for FY2020. The hearing comes on the heels of the release of the president’s FY2020 budget proposal that seeks to cut education funding by more than 10 percent and eliminates 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Secretary of Education DeVos was the only witness for the hearing and received a less than warm welcome from Democrats, who took issue with a budget proposal that includes drastic cuts to funding for the Department of Education when additional investments are needed. Republicans noted some support for the proposal, but also raised concerns about cuts to the TRIO program and asked for explanations related to funding for mental health programs and how a would-be Pell grant expansion would work.

With regard to support for afterschool and summer learning programs, in their opening statements both Subcommittee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and full Appropriations Committee Chair Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) cited their displeasure with the proposed elimination of the 21s t Century Community Learning Centers initiative. Chair Lowey’s first question for the Secretary was about the proposed Community Learning Centers elimination, citing the Department of Education’s own most recent report on the program that found that half of students in Community Learning Centers-funded afterschool programs improved math and reading grades, more than two-thirds (68 percent) improved homework completion and class participation, and three out of five improved classroom behavior. Mrs. Lowey also talked about the success of Community Learning Centers programs in her district in New York that are helping young people develop the skills they need to succeed in school and later in life.

In defense of the proposed cuts, Secretary DeVos said the federal dollars are not getting to the best programs and cited 2017 data about student gains in reading and math that were inconsistent with other data. She then emphasized that afterschool programs are effective in general and that the proposed elimination is not a dismissal of afterschool, but a reprioritization of funding for other programs. She suggested afterschool could be funded at the state and local level or through philanthropy. While we agree that there is a role for state, local, parental, and philanthropic investments, the federal investment is absolutely critical to help ensure that children in low-income communities that lack other resources still have access to quality afterschool and summer programs that help them avoid risky behaviors, inspire learning and help working families.

On Thursday, Secretary DeVos testified at a much shorter hearing of the Senate Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations Subcommittee, once again echoing many of the same themes about the president’s budget proposal. Both Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) spoke of their support for afterschool funding and questioned the proposed elimination of Community Learning Centers. Sen. Baldwin pointed to a successful afterschool program in Milton, Wis., supported in part by Title IV Part A grant funding that is helping students learn to code and develop new technology skills that will prepare them for the workforce of tomorrow.

In addition to the appropriations hearings in the House and Senate, this week Reps. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and Don Young (R-Alaska) sent a bipartisan Dear Colleague letter signed by 106 members of Congress to House LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee leaders Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Tom Cole (R-Okla.) sending a clear message “…to support funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Program.” The letter was applauded by afterschool advocates and the Afterschool Alliance.

Within the Dear Colleague letter to appropriators in the House of Representatives, the 106 signing representatives called for an increase to $1.32 billion for Community Learning Centers in the upcoming FY2020 spending bill to better meet the afterschool and summer needs of communities, families, and children. The letter cited recent research and evaluations showing that afterschool students demonstrated improved behavior and performed better academically than students who did not participate in afterschool.

Also this week a broad spectrum of local, state and national organizations representing all 50 states sent their own letter of support for increasing 21st Century Community Learning Centers to the House LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee Chair and Ranking Member. The letters come on the heels of more than 15,000 calls and emails sent to Congress thus far in March, all in support of federal afterschool and summer learning funds.

The FY2020 appropriations process is just getting started and still has a long road ahead, with time left for others to show their support for afterschool and summer learning. In the face of a proposed elimination of 21st Century Community Learning Centers by the White House in the FY2020 budget proposal, the outpouring of support this week, and in the coming weeks and month, is encouraging to the afterschool field.

Three new bills would support mentoring for student success

National Mentoring month in January arrived paired with three pieces of legislation to support mentoring activities: A Transition to Success Mentoring Act, Mentoring to Succeed Act, and the Students Helping Younger Students Act. All three bills currently have only Democratic support. Service...

BY: Jillian Luchner      02/10/23

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

Previewing the 118th Congress: What does it mean for afterschool?

With 2022 in the rearview mirror, we can also say farewell to the 117th Congress. The new Congress marks a return to ‘divided government’ with the White House and Senate being led by Democrats and the House of Representatives under the control of the Republican Party. What might the...

BY: Erik Peterson      01/09/23

$50M in 21st CCLC funds from Bipartisan Safer Communities Act sent to states

This summer, a group of 20 Democratic and Republican Senators, led by Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), worked to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which included gun safety measures, mental health support investments, and school safety provisions that aim to...

BY: Erik Peterson      11/03/22

Opportunity: CCDF supplemental funds available for school-age programs

Now and over the next year, states are focusing on spending “child care CCDF supplemental funds” that must be obligated by 2023 and liquidated in 2024. State administrative agencies of the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF, also known as CCDBG) recently faced three concurrent...

BY: Jillian Luchner      10/25/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Kentucky case-study

By Mahika Gupta and Alexa Kamen, the Afterschool Alliance’s inaugural Summer Policy Interns. Mahika is entering her Senior year at Colby College in Maine, working on degrees in English Creative Writing and Astrophysics and participating as a staff writer for her college paper. Alexa...

BY: Guest Blogger      08/18/22

New resource from Department of Education on implementing quality afterschool and summer programs

In tandem with the launch of the historic Engage Every Student initiative last month, the Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES) released a new tool to support states, school districts, and community based programs in using evidence to implement and expand quality...

BY: Erik Peterson      08/16/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Connecticut case-study

By Mahika Gupta and Alexa Kamen, the Afterschool Alliance’s inaugural Summer Policy Interns. Mahika is entering her Senior year at Colby College in Maine, working on degrees in English Creative Writing and Astrophysics and participating as a staff writer for her college paper. Alexa...

BY: Guest Blogger      08/05/22

Congress approves the CHIPS and Science Act, including new programs to support informal STEM learning

If you blinked you may have missed a new name for the competitiveness package. What started in the Senate as the Endless Frontier Act became the U.S. Innovation & Competition Act (USICA), then CHIPS, then CHIPS +, and finally settled as the CHIPS and Science Act. On Wednesday, July 27, the...

BY: Chris Neitzey      08/02/22

Senate Bill for FY 23 Appropriations proposes $85 million increase for 21st CCLC

The Senate Appropriations Committee released a Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill on July 28, 2022. The Fiscal Year 2023 proposed bill would increase overall spending from last year’s LHHS appropriations by 10 percent or $21 billion dollars. The bill...

BY: Jillian Luchner      07/29/22

Three new bills would support mentoring for student success

National Mentoring month in January arrived paired with three pieces of legislation to support mentoring activities: A Transition to Success Mentoring Act, Mentoring to Succeed Act, and the Students Helping Younger Students Act. All three bills currently have only Democratic support. Service...

BY: Jillian Luchner      02/10/23

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

Previewing the 118th Congress: What does it mean for afterschool?

With 2022 in the rearview mirror, we can also say farewell to the 117th Congress. The new Congress marks a return to ‘divided government’ with the White House and Senate being led by Democrats and the House of Representatives under the control of the Republican Party. What might the...

BY: Erik Peterson      01/09/23

Congress works to pass FY 2023 omnibus spending bill, increase afterschool and summer funding

Updated 1/3/2023: On Friday, Dec. 23 the House passed an omnibus appropriations bill by a 221-205-1 vote, following Senate passage by a 68-29 vote on Thursday, Dec. 22. The president signed the bill into law. The bill represents an increase from the $1.5 trillion appropriations...

BY: Erik Peterson      12/20/22

2022 Midterm Election Results: What could they mean for afterschool?

It has been a week since Election Day and ballots are still being counted in some of the hundreds of federal, state, and local contests. All 435 House seats were up for grabs in this year’s election, as were 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats; there were 36 gubernatorial races and seven state...

BY: Erik Peterson      11/15/22

$50M in 21st CCLC funds from Bipartisan Safer Communities Act sent to states

This summer, a group of 20 Democratic and Republican Senators, led by Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), worked to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which included gun safety measures, mental health support investments, and school safety provisions that aim to...

BY: Erik Peterson      11/03/22

Afterschool and summer emphasized in House hearing on student needs

On Tuesday, September 20, the House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing on “Meeting Students’ Academic, Social, and Emotional Needs.” The hearing focused on state and district specific data on how communities and...

BY: Erik Peterson      10/04/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Kentucky case-study

By Mahika Gupta and Alexa Kamen, the Afterschool Alliance’s inaugural Summer Policy Interns. Mahika is entering her Senior year at Colby College in Maine, working on degrees in English Creative Writing and Astrophysics and participating as a staff writer for her college paper. Alexa...

BY: Guest Blogger      08/18/22

Congress approves the CHIPS and Science Act, including new programs to support informal STEM learning

If you blinked you may have missed a new name for the competitiveness package. What started in the Senate as the Endless Frontier Act became the U.S. Innovation & Competition Act (USICA), then CHIPS, then CHIPS +, and finally settled as the CHIPS and Science Act. On Wednesday, July 27, the...

BY: Chris Neitzey      08/02/22

Senate Bill for FY 23 Appropriations proposes $85 million increase for 21st CCLC

The Senate Appropriations Committee released a Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill on July 28, 2022. The Fiscal Year 2023 proposed bill would increase overall spending from last year’s LHHS appropriations by 10 percent or $21 billion dollars. The bill...

BY: Jillian Luchner      07/29/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Kentucky case-study

By Mahika Gupta and Alexa Kamen, the Afterschool Alliance’s inaugural Summer Policy Interns. Mahika is entering her Senior year at Colby College in Maine, working on degrees in English Creative Writing and Astrophysics and participating as a staff writer for her college paper. Alexa...

BY: Guest Blogger      08/18/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Connecticut case-study

By Mahika Gupta and Alexa Kamen, the Afterschool Alliance’s inaugural Summer Policy Interns. Mahika is entering her Senior year at Colby College in Maine, working on degrees in English Creative Writing and Astrophysics and participating as a staff writer for her college paper. Alexa...

BY: Guest Blogger      08/05/22

$120 million increase proposed for 21st CCLC as U.S. House Subcommittee continues FY2023 Appropriations process

Update (6/24): The House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations subcommittee approved the FY23 spending bill detailed below along a party line vote the evening of June 23. This week, the House of Representatives continues the FY 2023 appropriations process with multiple subcommittee mark-ups. On...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/23/22

Jodi Grant testifies at House hearing in support of afterschool programs

This morning, Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant testified at a hearing of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS-E) Appropriations Subcommittee in favor of increased funding for Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st...

BY: Erik Peterson      05/26/22

American Rescue Plan funds one year later: Support for afterschool, summer learning

A little more than one year ago, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into law, providing billions in funding to support communities and youth impacted by the pandemic, and naming afterschool and summer learning programs as one strategy to invest in to support young people. So...

BY: Erik Peterson      04/15/22

Biden administration releases FY 2023 budget proposal, increases afterschool funding

Photo by Ana Lanza on Unsplash Today the Biden administration released its FY 2023 discretionary budget request, coming just weeks after Congress finished work on the much delayed FY 2022 spending bill. With regard to afterschool and summer learning support, the proposal asks for a $21 million...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/28/22

Secretary of Education Cardona discusses his priorities, emphasizes student engagement

In late January, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona gave a major address at the Department of Education, laying out his vision for improving the American education system. He largely focused on continued recovery through the pandemic and the need for broader investments in education to...

BY: Erik Peterson      02/07/22

Recapping impressive OST work in summer 2021—and looking ahead to summer 2022

As the winter air blows in, it’s the perfect time to warm up with thoughts of summer. In fact, many school districts and afterschool programs know that planning for summer begins in the fall. Fortunately, the hard work programs, partners, and schools undertook during summer 2021 provided...

BY: Jillian Luchner      12/07/21

House of Representatives passes Build Back Better Act

On Friday, November 19, 2021, the House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act by a vote of 220-213. The legislation invests in programs that support human infrastructure and includes parts...

BY: Erik Peterson      11/22/21

ARP ESSER state plans are in! More funds are hitting the ground at the state and local level

With the 2021-2022 school year in full-swing, the federal American Rescue Plan relief funds are making important impacts in states and communities. At this point, all 50 states have submitted their Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) plans. The Department of Education is...

BY: Jillian Luchner      11/11/21

$50M in 21st CCLC funds from Bipartisan Safer Communities Act sent to states

This summer, a group of 20 Democratic and Republican Senators, led by Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas), worked to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which included gun safety measures, mental health support investments, and school safety provisions that aim to...

BY: Erik Peterson      11/03/22

Learning about summer learning

Summer enrichment funding for every state was required in the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER). The State of Summer Learning Grants: An Analysis of States’ Use of ARP Summer Enrichment published in July by the organization Education...

BY: Jillian Luchner      09/19/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Kentucky case-study

By Mahika Gupta and Alexa Kamen, the Afterschool Alliance’s inaugural Summer Policy Interns. Mahika is entering her Senior year at Colby College in Maine, working on degrees in English Creative Writing and Astrophysics and participating as a staff writer for her college paper. Alexa...

BY: Guest Blogger      08/18/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Connecticut case-study

By Mahika Gupta and Alexa Kamen, the Afterschool Alliance’s inaugural Summer Policy Interns. Mahika is entering her Senior year at Colby College in Maine, working on degrees in English Creative Writing and Astrophysics and participating as a staff writer for her college paper. Alexa...

BY: Guest Blogger      08/05/22

Roundup of afterschool in State Budgets Part 2

With state legislative sessions wrapping up and state budgets now finalized, we bring you our second installment of the roundup of afterschool funding in state budgets. As highlighted in the previous post from June, this year brought a number of new investments in afterschool at the state level....

BY: Chris Neitzey      07/21/22

For some, a summer of enrichment thanks to ARP dollars

This summer, thanks to pandemic relief funding, some students are experiencing a summer full of exploration, connections with friends and mentors, and learning that is engaging and exciting. After the last couple years, it can be a game changer for youth who have faced isolation, loss, and...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/27/22

Jodi Grant testifies at House hearing in support of afterschool programs

This morning, Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant testified at a hearing of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS-E) Appropriations Subcommittee in favor of increased funding for Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st...

BY: Erik Peterson      05/26/22

American Rescue Plan funds one year later: Support for afterschool, summer learning

A little more than one year ago, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into law, providing billions in funding to support communities and youth impacted by the pandemic, and naming afterschool and summer learning programs as one strategy to invest in to support young people. So...

BY: Erik Peterson      04/15/22

Biden administration releases FY 2023 budget proposal, increases afterschool funding

Photo by Ana Lanza on Unsplash Today the Biden administration released its FY 2023 discretionary budget request, coming just weeks after Congress finished work on the much delayed FY 2022 spending bill. With regard to afterschool and summer learning support, the proposal asks for a $21 million...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/28/22

President’s State of the Union calls for increased focus on student mental health

In his first State of the Union presented earlier this month, President Biden outlined a strategy to address the national mental health crisis that has come to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic. Young people have been particularly impacted as losses from COVID and disruptions in routines...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/22/22

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

Opportunity: CCDF supplemental funds available for school-age programs

Now and over the next year, states are focusing on spending “child care CCDF supplemental funds” that must be obligated by 2023 and liquidated in 2024. State administrative agencies of the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF, also known as CCDBG) recently faced three concurrent...

BY: Jillian Luchner      10/25/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Kentucky case-study

By Mahika Gupta and Alexa Kamen, the Afterschool Alliance’s inaugural Summer Policy Interns. Mahika is entering her Senior year at Colby College in Maine, working on degrees in English Creative Writing and Astrophysics and participating as a staff writer for her college paper. Alexa...

BY: Guest Blogger      08/18/22

Congress works to address summer and school meal challenges before end of month deadline

Update (6/24): After the Senate passed an amended version of the Keep Kids Fed Act (removing the provision that would have allowed reduced price meals to be free next school year), on June 24 the House followed the Senate and passed the bipartisan Keep Kids Fed Act sending it to the...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/23/22

$120 million increase proposed for 21st CCLC as U.S. House Subcommittee continues FY2023 Appropriations process

Update (6/24): The House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations subcommittee approved the FY23 spending bill detailed below along a party line vote the evening of June 23. This week, the House of Representatives continues the FY 2023 appropriations process with multiple subcommittee mark-ups. On...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/23/22

American Rescue Plan funds one year later: Support for afterschool, summer learning

A little more than one year ago, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) into law, providing billions in funding to support communities and youth impacted by the pandemic, and naming afterschool and summer learning programs as one strategy to invest in to support young people. So...

BY: Erik Peterson      04/15/22

Afterschool programs supported through Congressional Community Project Funding

When President Biden signed the FY 2022 federal spending bill last month, it included community project funding (previously known as earmarks) for the first time in more than 10 years. Community Project Funding (CPF) allows members of Congress to request direct funding for projects that benefit the...

BY: Erik Peterson      04/05/22

Governors across the country signal support for afterschool in state budget requests

With a new year comes new support for afterschool programs. After an infusion of federal relief funds over the last two year to support education, including afterschool in summer programs, governors in a number of states are taking the next step to dedicate state funds towards afterschool...

BY: Chris Neitzey      02/11/22

Secretary of Education Cardona discusses his priorities, emphasizes student engagement

In late January, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona gave a major address at the Department of Education, laying out his vision for improving the American education system. He largely focused on continued recovery through the pandemic and the need for broader investments in education to...

BY: Erik Peterson      02/07/22

House of Representatives passes Build Back Better Act

On Friday, November 19, 2021, the House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act by a vote of 220-213. The legislation invests in programs that support human infrastructure and includes parts...

BY: Erik Peterson      11/22/21

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

Congress works to pass FY 2023 omnibus spending bill, increase afterschool and summer funding

Updated 1/3/2023: On Friday, Dec. 23 the House passed an omnibus appropriations bill by a 221-205-1 vote, following Senate passage by a 68-29 vote on Thursday, Dec. 22. The president signed the bill into law. The bill represents an increase from the $1.5 trillion appropriations...

BY: Erik Peterson      12/20/22

Senate Bill for FY 23 Appropriations proposes $85 million increase for 21st CCLC

The Senate Appropriations Committee released a Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill on July 28, 2022. The Fiscal Year 2023 proposed bill would increase overall spending from last year’s LHHS appropriations by 10 percent or $21 billion dollars. The bill...

BY: Jillian Luchner      07/29/22

$120 million increase proposed for 21st CCLC as U.S. House Subcommittee continues FY2023 Appropriations process

Update (6/24): The House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations subcommittee approved the FY23 spending bill detailed below along a party line vote the evening of June 23. This week, the House of Representatives continues the FY 2023 appropriations process with multiple subcommittee mark-ups. On...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/23/22

Update on FY 2023 appropriations: hearings and letters and more as support broadens on Capitol Hill for 21st Century Community Learning Centers

As spring starts to shift to summer, the appropriations process in Congress is picking up steam. In a familiar cycle, the FY 2023 appropriations process kicked off with the president’s budget, followed by members of the Cabinet appearing before Congress to justify the requested budget -- all...

BY: Erik Peterson      05/09/22

Afterschool programs supported through Congressional Community Project Funding

When President Biden signed the FY 2022 federal spending bill last month, it included community project funding (previously known as earmarks) for the first time in more than 10 years. Community Project Funding (CPF) allows members of Congress to request direct funding for projects that benefit the...

BY: Erik Peterson      04/05/22

Biden administration releases FY 2023 budget proposal, increases afterschool funding

Photo by Ana Lanza on Unsplash Today the Biden administration released its FY 2023 discretionary budget request, coming just weeks after Congress finished work on the much delayed FY 2022 spending bill. With regard to afterschool and summer learning support, the proposal asks for a $21 million...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/28/22

Congress increases funding for afterschool and summer learning programs

UPDATE: The funding bill passed Congress March 11 and is expected to be signed into law March 15.  On March 10, 2022, Congress gave the country’s students, families, schools and communities a significant boost by including a $30 million increase for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century...

BY: Jodi Grant      03/14/22

House, Senate to vote on FY 2022 omnibus spending bill, afterschool funding increased

Almost five and a half months after the 2022 fiscal year began, Congress appears ready to pass an FY 2022 spending bill. Lengthy negotiations between the administration, both parties, and both chambers has resulted in a 2,741-page, $1.5 trillion FY 2022 omnibus bill that would fund the federal...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/09/22

Governors across the country signal support for afterschool in state budget requests

With a new year comes new support for afterschool programs. After an infusion of federal relief funds over the last two year to support education, including afterschool in summer programs, governors in a number of states are taking the next step to dedicate state funds towards afterschool...

BY: Chris Neitzey      02/11/22

Statewide afterschool networks continue to advance STEM as a policy priority at the state level

The Afterschool Alliance and STEM Education Coalition enter our seventh year of a project to support the development and advancement of STEM learning at the state level, in partnership with the Statewide Afterschool Networks and funded by the Overdeck Family Foundation. This year’s cohort...

BY: Chris Neitzey      02/14/23

D.C. Mayor Bowser pledges to build robust afterschool programs in inaugural address

Photo by Andra C Taylor Jr on Unsplash Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) was sworn in for her third term on January 2, 2023. In her inaugural address, Mayor Bowser pledged to “build the most robust free before- and after-school programs in the nation” in her next term....

BY: Chris Neitzey      01/06/23

State elections bring new faces to governors mansions

After a full week of counting ballots, the picture at the state level has become clear. A handful of Governor’s races resulted in Democratic gains, with Arizona, Maryland, and Massachusetts all electing Democrats. Incumbent Governors were reelected in 27 out of 28 races, with only Democrat...

BY: Chris Neitzey      11/18/22

ARP investments in comprehensive afterschool: Connecticut case-study

By Mahika Gupta and Alexa Kamen, the Afterschool Alliance’s inaugural Summer Policy Interns. Mahika is entering her Senior year at Colby College in Maine, working on degrees in English Creative Writing and Astrophysics and participating as a staff writer for her college paper. Alexa...

BY: Guest Blogger      08/05/22

Roundup of afterschool in State Budgets Part 2

With state legislative sessions wrapping up and state budgets now finalized, we bring you our second installment of the roundup of afterschool funding in state budgets. As highlighted in the previous post from June, this year brought a number of new investments in afterschool at the state level....

BY: Chris Neitzey      07/21/22

$120 million increase proposed for 21st CCLC as U.S. House Subcommittee continues FY2023 Appropriations process

Update (6/24): The House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations subcommittee approved the FY23 spending bill detailed below along a party line vote the evening of June 23. This week, the House of Representatives continues the FY 2023 appropriations process with multiple subcommittee mark-ups. On...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/23/22

Roundup of afterschool in State Budgets

This is a first look at how afterschool and out-of-school time programs fared in state budgets in 2022. This year saw a number of governors signal support for investing in afterschool, including governors for states who have not invested in afterschool in recent years. With many states projecting...

BY: Chris Neitzey      06/07/22

Mental health in the spotlight in state legislatures in 2022

Student mental health has been at the forefront in many state legislatures this year, with numerous bills introduced addressing this crisis that often predates the COVID pandemic. Georgia and Vermont are two states that recently passed legislation to address these issues. In Vermont, the...

BY: Chris Neitzey      05/16/22

Child care funds remain available to support school-age programs: Check with your child care agency about their plans

With the American Rescue Plan (ARP) passed over a year ago, the school-age child care sector has seen some positive advancements for the field, but there is still much more to do. Challenges remain in the school-age care arena where limited parents can access and afford care, limited staff can...

BY: Jillian Luchner      04/14/22

Afterschool programs supported through Congressional Community Project Funding

When President Biden signed the FY 2022 federal spending bill last month, it included community project funding (previously known as earmarks) for the first time in more than 10 years. Community Project Funding (CPF) allows members of Congress to request direct funding for projects that benefit the...

BY: Erik Peterson      04/05/22