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

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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 reviewing and approving plans which enables states to access the remaining one-third of their ESSER funding allocations.

In earlier parts of our ARP ESSER blog series, we have published a summary of broader trends in the state plans (including state partnerships with statewide afterschool networks and the inclusion of community based partners in the comprehensive afterschool and summer set-asides) and more detailed reviews of specific state activities.

Additional innovations in the state plans submitted after our first review include:

  • Wisconsin’s detailed description of how the state defines “comprehensive” afterschool including reference to research based practices for comprehensive afterschool which includes - Active, hands-on learning experiences; Development and practice of interpersonal competencies; Meaningful and relevant activities and learning opportunities; Opportunities to practice skills that promote mastery; Learning that engages students in new experiences and development of new skills, while prioritizing student voice and choice;  and Programming that engages community partnerships and collaboration, including adult family members.
  • Minnesota dedicated 50 percent of its state grants to culturally specific programs. (The state’s RFP defines these organizations as “a community-based organization by and for groups of people with a shared experience of marginalization based on race, ethnicity, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation. More than 50 percent of the board of directors and/or leadership of the organization and more than 50 percent or more of the staff reflect the group of people served. These organizations view their program activities and approaches through a cultural lens and affirm/reflect the lived experiences of members of that community.)
  • New York’s coordination with mental health first aid including coordination with SAMSHA project AWARE grants.
  • Louisiana’s use of focus groups and surveys to ensure the funding coincides with their definition of “meaningful experiences” for youth

States offering state level grants have also begun the process of opening their request for proposals (RFP). Scroll down on our American Rescue Plan page to find links to state RFPs released this year. We also will outline a few below, but each is worth a look to those interested.

  • Indiana offered R.E.A.C.H grants to school districts, non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations and institutes of higher education, among others. Grantees were required to propose programs serving at least 60 youth (youth who receive 30 or more days of programming are counted as regularly attending) and operational at least 130 school days and 30 days over the summer for 10 hours per week. The grants provide $3,000 per youth. All grantees will be working with a local evaluator they choose from a state approved list to help support their on-going program improvement. The grant allows for a 3-6 percent set aside for the evaluation work. The grants mention that these funds can be coordinated with other state, federal, and local funds to meet mutual goals.
  • Oklahoma is offering Ignite and Expand applications to invest in school-community partnerships supporting students during the 80 percent of waking hours they spend outside the school day. The state has a descriptive document on their program which engages youth programs, museums, churches, parks, libraries, and other settings. The document references both the high demand for afterschool programs and the strong evidence base behind high quality afterschool.  Ignite grants of $50,000-$75,000 per year will help fill gaps in service through piloting demonstration programs. Expand grants of $75,000-$150,000 for year-round programs will strengthen and broaden programs to achieve greater scale. Both programs will receive technical assistance and professional learning to help achieve the state’s key principles of comprehensive, high quality out-of-school time programming.
  • Utah’s grant uses the quality self-assessment tool and school alignment rubrics from the state’s Utah Afterschool Network. Up to 10 program sites can be included in one application with grant awards ranging between $100,000 and $400,000. The grants include a number of competitive priorities including serving youth ages 13-18; serving kindergarteners; serving program sites with poverty rates above 40 percent; plan development in coordination with community partners including parents and students; programs with one licensed teacher in a supervisory role; location in a rural county; offering a healthy snack or meal; operating above the required hours and having an alternative site identified if the program site becomes unavailable; and serving students from a school with intergenerational poverty enrolment rates of 10 percent or more.
  • Maryland’s grant program mentions “implementation of quality evidence-based comprehensive afterschool programs is needed to ensure that students’ academic, social, and emotional needs are met, and the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on the student populations is being addressed.” The afterschool grant program supports partnerships between community-based agencies and local school systems to provide at least an additional 8 hours of academic enrichment each week. Programs will be funded between $250,000 to $900,000 across 3 years and continuation of funds each year will depend on performance. Priority points in the grant were given to programs that could show integration of social and emotional learning programming. Grantees must also include information on plans for professional development and on-going staff training, including integration of the National Afterschool Association Core Knowledge and Competencies for Afterschool and Youth Development Professionals. Salaries and fringe benefits are allowable uses of funds. An Out of School Time Team and Extended Learning Specialist will provide observation of and guidance to the program based on the program’s goals. Grants must be size 12 font with a line spacing of 1.5 with references cited in American Psychological Association format to be considered. 

Other states with released RFPs include: Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Wyoming.

Afterschool and summer programs continue to be seen as an essential piece is supporting students’ recovery and advancement during and after the COVID emergency. U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, spoke before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee on Sept 30 on the topic of supporting students, educators and families, and mentioned the important role afterschool programs are playing as positive interventions for students’ social, emotional and academic growth in response to the pandemic. And in a House Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee Hearing a day earlier on September 29, Subcommittee Chairman Sablan highlighted the helpful contributions of afterschool and summer programs in his closing remarks. 

In addition to the state level RFPs, local districts are determining how to spend their 90 percent of the ARP allocations. Twenty percent of district ARP funds must be used for learning loss recovery such as afterschool and summer programming.

Superintendents and school-boards (see a quick example from PA) are working with stakeholders in their communities to determine how to use these funds. Supporters of afterschool can help ensure afterschool is not an after-thought. See our toolkit for how to engage locally to broaden opportunities for quality afterschool and summer access in your community.

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USDA proposed changes will increase access to summer meals in rural areas

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently proposed a new rule that would allow summer meal programs to provide meals to children in non-congregate settings. The proposal is a result of significant policy changes for Child Nutrition programming that were included in the...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/28/23

Comments requested on proposed changes to afterschool and summer meal nutrition standards

UPDATE 4/6/23: The deadline for comments has been extended from April 10, 2023 to May 10, 2023. Last month the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed new nutrition standards for school meals provided through the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. These proposed...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/24/23

Bipartisan Youth Workforce Readiness Act reintroduced in the Senate

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BY: Jillian Luchner      03/20/23

March madness = Budget & appropriations process kickoff!

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BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      02/23/23

Three new bills would support mentoring for student success

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Mammoth spending bill includes support for afterschool, summer, mentoring, and more

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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...

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Trio of newly introduced bills align with recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month

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Secretary Cardona makes the case for robust education spending at House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing

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Making the case for increasing 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding

On March 23, Alabama Expanded Learning Alliance Co-director Felicia Simpson testified at a hearing of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS-E) Appropriations Subcommittee in support of increased funding for Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/27/23

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STEM education update: Good news and looking ahead

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BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      02/23/23

Three new bills would support mentoring for student success

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Mammoth spending bill includes support for afterschool, summer, mentoring, and more

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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...

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BY: Erik Peterson      12/20/22

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

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

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BY: Erik Peterson      11/03/22

Learning about summer learning

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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

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BY: Chris Neitzey      07/21/22

For some, a summer of enrichment thanks to ARP dollars

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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

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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

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BY: Erik Peterson      03/22/22

Mental health and wellness a popular topic in state legislatures in 2023

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BY: Chris Neitzey      05/11/23

State legislatures looking to increase investments in afterschool

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BY: Chris Neitzey      03/24/23

Governors for afterschool – 2023 edition

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BY: Chris Neitzey      03/07/23

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

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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

Making the case for increasing 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding

On March 23, Alabama Expanded Learning Alliance Co-director Felicia Simpson testified at a hearing of the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS-E) Appropriations Subcommittee in support of increased funding for Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/27/23

FY 2024 budget proposal is disappointing for 21st CCLC, but includes other afterschool related increases

Today the Biden administration released its FY 2024 discretionary budget request, formally kicking of the FY2024 appropriations process, while debate around raising the debt ceiling continues. With regard to afterschool and summer learning support, the proposal requests $1,329,673 for the Nita M....

BY: Erik Peterson      03/09/23

March madness = Budget & appropriations process kickoff!

This year, early March means the release of the president’s budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year and the beginning of the FY 2024 appropriations process in Congress. Here's what we know so far about how this year’s process may roll out in the coming year.  On or...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/01/23

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

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

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

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BY: Erik Peterson      02/07/22

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

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BY: Jillian Luchner      12/07/21

House of Representatives passes Build Back Better Act

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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

March madness = Budget & appropriations process kickoff!

This year, early March means the release of the president’s budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year and the beginning of the FY 2024 appropriations process in Congress. Here's what we know so far about how this year’s process may roll out in the coming year.  On or...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/01/23

STEM education update: Good news and looking ahead

In the final weeks of 2022, Congress passed a $1.7 trillion spending bill to fund every agency through the end of fiscal year (FY) 2023. The bill was the product of weeks of negotiations and defense spending, supporting the CHIPS and Science Act and some policy issues attached to the bill took...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      02/23/23

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

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