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Lend a hand: Learn the facts

Get ready to make the case for afterschool

The research is clear: Afterschool is key in keeping kids safe and inspiring learning—but many children and youth don't have access to important afterschool programs. Get familiar with the most important findings so that you can help make the case for afterschool.

In communities today, 11.3 million children take care of themselves after the school day ends.

Just 10.2 million children are in afterschool programs—but the parents of another 19.4 million children say their children would participate in afterschool if a program were available.

Studies show that children in afterschool programs do better in school, stay in school longer and have greater expectations for the future.

On school days, the hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. are the peak hours for juvenile crime and experimentation with drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and sex.

Teens who do not participate in afterschool programs are nearly three times more likely to skip classes than teens who do participate. They are also three times more likely to use marijuana or other drugs, and they are more likely to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and engage in sexual activity.

Parents with children in afterschool programs are less stressed, have fewer unscheduled absences and are more productive at work.