Weekly Media Roundup: May 8, 2024

After-School Programs Expect to Scale Down with Pandemic Aid Ending, K-12 Dive

In a new Afterschool Alliance survey of more than 8,800 afterschool programs, about 4 out of 5 providers said they were concerned about children in their communities who need afterschool not having it, and the vast majority reported concerns about long-term funding and staffing. About 2 out of 5 providers of programs receiving federal COVID aid reported they expect to have to reduce programming as it nears expiration. “Those concerns are sure to worsen as pandemic relief funding winds down in coming months,” Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant told K-12 Dive. “We are not making nearly the investments we need in afterschool and summer learning programs.”

Out of School Programs and Their Mental Health Benefits in Demand, WAOW (Wisconsin)

At the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County, students connect with their peers and with mentors, learn life skills such as cooking, play basketball, and more – all activities that can boost students’ mental health and wellbeing. The afterschool program also offers career exploration. "We might have a speaker come in from a certain company and talk about what they do," CEO Kevin Quevillon told WAOW. "Then, as the kids get older, we have more sophisticated things for the teenagers where we're really trying to match up their interests with what they might do after school."

Community Program Helps Young Somalis Connect After School, NBC 4 (Ohio)

At the Somali Community Link afterschool program in Linden, Ohio, Somali youth are paired with first-generation Somali immigrants who provide academic support and connect with students on shared cultural experiences. “It’s important for kids to see fellow first-generation Somali Americans because they know exactly what each other is facing, and can alleviate some of the burdens and barriers for academic success,” Columbus City Councilmember Nancy Day-Achauer told NBC 4. Last week, the Columbus City Council approved a $100,000 grant to support Somali Community Link’s afterschool program.

Macomb School District to Implement Behavioral Intervention Program, WIUM Tristates Public Radio (Illinois)

In response to increased behavioral issues since the pandemic, the Macomb School District in Macomb, Illinois is implementing the Alternative Learning Opportunities Program, an innovative intervention program that has shown success in Chicago. “A psychologist recently told me that if you look at our middle school kids today across the country, while they’re young teenagers, they’re really nine and ten years old in terms of that social, emotional IQ piece,” Superintendent Patrick Twomey told WIUM. “That’s the reason we’re seeing so many issues at that level in terms of how those students respond to conflict and to each other.” At-risk middle and high school students, as well as students attending Bella Ease afterschool program, will work with an interventionist to address behavioral and social-emotional issues. The afterschool program will also provide homework help and enrichment activities