Afterschool Webinar:

Every second Friday at noon ET, our own Senior VP of Policy, Erik Peterson, will recap the latest policy developments, what we know (or don’t know!) about how they may impact afterschool and summer programs, and what may be coming up next. Submit your questions in advance so we know what's top of mind for you.

Resources:

Policy updates discussed

• Letter of support for 21st Century Community Learning Centers
• Proposed changes to federal grant portal could disrupt nonprofits and harm communities nationwide
• U.S. Department of Education announces additional partnerships to break up the federal education bureaucracy
• U.S. Department of Education issues proposed rules to implement Working Families Tax Cuts Act's Workforce Pell Grants
• Supporting Afterschool STEM Educators Act introduced in the Senate
• Preliminary 21st CCLC allocations for states for FY2026 have been sent to state education agencies as of earlier today but are not yet posted publicly. Final allocations will be available in June. 
• Written testimony to the House Appropriations Committee on FY2027 funding priorities, including support for increased 21st CCLC funding, is now being accepted. Review the instructions for submitting testimony.

Events to keep on your radar

• Youth Voice Week (April 13-17, 2026)
• Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week (April 20-24, 2026)

Additional resources

• This is School-Age Child Care (new one-pager on school-age child care funding)
• 21st Century Community Learning Centers (updated fact sheet)
• Realizing Potential: Comprehensive Afterschool Programs (new fact sheet)
• Current Policy News
• Afterschool Works for America (help get the word out and engage the public in saving afterschool and summer program funding)