Top afterschool highlights from 2022

Every December, we reflect on the challenges, achievements, and changes in the world of afterschool and summer.

2022 has been a busy and exciting year for our field. From “afterschool for all” echoing in the halls of the Department of Education with the launch of the Engage Every Student initiative to a huge celebration for the first fully in-person Lights On Afterschool since 2019, we are thrilled to see growing recognition of the importance of afterschool programs in the lives of our children youth and families.

Here are a few of the biggest stories from 2022:

• As communities leverage American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, we continue to learn about the impact of unprecedented federal investments in afterschool and summer learning. Our map and resources dig into the historic opportunity provided by ARP to make afterschool and summer programs available to more students. We estimate about $6 billion in federal COVID relief funds have been spent so far on comprehensive afterschool and summer learning programs.
   
• In our program provider surveys, we heard about the challenges programs are facing, the supports they are providing, and how COVID-relief funding is helping.
  • How COVID Relief Funding is a Lifeline for Afterschool and Summer Programs During the Pandemic
  • Navigating Afterschool Challenges in 2022
     
• Calling for afterschool and summer learning for all, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh launched the Engage Every Student Initiative in July, a bold new call to action to utilize American Rescue Plan funds alongside other state and local funds to ensure that every child who wants a spot in a high-quality out-of-school time (OST) program has one.
   
• We conducted and shared the results from a survey of parents about afterschool participation during COVID, including the high unmet demand for afterschool programs in communities across the country.
  • Access to Afterschool Programs Remains a Challenge for Many Families
     
• More than 6,000 programs celebrated the 23rd annual Lights On Afterschool, opening their doors to one million visitors. At the same time, landmarks and more than 2,000 billboards from Clear Channel Outdoors lit up the night sky from coast to coast. Policymakers, from mayors to U.S. senators, and Secretary of Education Cardona all shared their support of afterschool programs.
   
• This year afterschool and summer learning advocates successfully made the case to Congress that local programs need federal support resulting in a record funding level of $1.28 billion for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) to support school and community based programs at the local level. Additionally Congress supported afterschool and summer programs this year through passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the  Keep Kids Fed Act.
   
• 2022 began with a number of governors signaling support for afterschool in their budget requests, including new proposals to establish statewide afterschool programs. This momentum carried through legislative sessions with new states establishing afterschool funding streams, and other states expanding on existing funding. More than $2.33 billion in new funding across eight states was invested in state budgets this year.
   
• This year, we were lucky to work with six amazing young people as part of the Afterschool Alliance Youth Ambassador program. These students participated in a variety of speaking and advocacy opportunities including speaking at the U.S. Department of Education and on a panel with Secretary of Education, Cardona. We look forward to this upcoming year where we will be working with seven students from across the country, eager to advocate on behalf of their afterschool programs.

On behalf of the Afterschool Alliance, I wish you a safe and festive holiday season and a happy new year!