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

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

As the winter air blows in, it’s the perfect time to warm up with thoughts of summer. In fact, many school districts and afterschool programs know that planning for summer begins in the fall.

Fortunately, the hard work programs, partners, and schools undertook during summer 2021 provided some models that can help make 2022 the best summer yet - including the use of American Rescue Plan funds for a first round response to pandemic related learning loss and acceleration..

On the West Coast, the Partnership for Children & Youth published a report this November, Summer 2021: How California educators met the moment with re-engagement, reconnection, and reimagined learning.

The report looked a range of publicly funded summer learning programs in California in Summer 2021. Eighty-eight percent of California School districts offered some kind of summer program. Of the 24 districts interviewed in the report, 75 percent partnered with community-based organizations to support enriched programming and/or staffing. California districts had access to American Rescue plan funds, but also strategic state investments. California’s AB 86 Expanded Learning Opportunity Grants provided an additional $4.6 billion in investments for summer and additional learning to help students recover from the pandemic. The size of the joint investments helped the state reach a broad range of schools and students, but the lessons from the investments are applicable to all states engaging in summer programs.

The report begins reviewing the known research-based best practices for summer programs (voluntary, no-cost, at least five weeks, academics and enrichment, focus on strengths, etc.), and goes on to detail promising practices identified from statewide data collection and a series of interviews with summer learning providers.

Here are some highlights:

  • 70 percent of districts provided wellness or mental health services including providing on-site counselors, partnering with community based mental and health service providers and ensuring staff access to mental health supports
     
  • Staff were supported through a variety of opportunities and methods:
    • opportunities for full-time positions;
    • planning and professional development time;
    • being given opportunities to choose topics they were interested in;
    • being able to try out new curriculum and pedological methods;
    • being provided pay increases and stipends; and
    • being provided opportunities to learn from cross collaboration between community partners and school day teachers.
       
  • The report mentions a teacher survey by the National Summer Learning Project showing between 81 and 97 percent  of respondents reported enjoying their summer experiences.  Teachers mentioned they “benefited from the flexibility and fun that summer offers, including interacting with students in different environments, working more closely with staff from community-based organizations, and getting inspiration for new activities to implement in the fall.”
     
  • High school students (often the least served by district summer programs) such as those in the Elk Grove Unified School District were given paid work experience to support teachers in elementary summer camps. Upon completion, 78 percent of all students participating expressed an interest in pursuing a career in education, a 90 percent increase. Additionally, the district offered opportunities for other high schoolers including career academies, resume development, and building independence (such as paying bills), in addition to sports, music and other enrichment.
     
  • Community partnerships were key players in the work including increasing staffing to support larger numbers of sites and students served; allowing for part day models of academics in the mornings and enrichment in the afternoon; and offering new experiences for students and teachers.
     
  • A focus on coordination allowed for joint trainings for all staff in areas such as mental health, STEM and trauma informed care; the ability to work internally across departments such as English Language Learners; food services and special education; and the important time for regular conversations between community partners and school leaders such as a district’s use of Zoom for weekly 20 minute check ins.
  • Investments in additional capacity supported coordination, partnerships, equity, and professional development including additional staffing in the areas of “professional development and oversight; community partner coordination; and interpreter/cultural liaison.”
     
  • To ensure access to students most in need of programming, even where summer offerings were open to all students, districts offered staggered registrations open only to highest need students first, staff conducted one-on-one outreach to the families and students most likely to be disconnected; and operations were designed to support parents including extended hours from 7:30 to 6 p.m.; subsidizing program costs; and providing transportation.

The report concludes with recommendations for the upcoming summer, including: bringing all partners to the planning table early including input from students, parents and educators about their goals and visions for summer; supporting full time positions, positive work environments, and competitive wages for staff; understanding the data on summer including summer enrollment, funding, number and types of staff, program duration and partnerships; diversifying among school based and community based partners; providing state level guidance and technical assistance; and not forgetting that this is truly an opportunity to think big!

On the East Coast, some of that “big picture” thinking led to an impressive Summer Matters Campaign in Vermont. The campaign was provided $4 million in funds to support summer programs, and received an overwhelming $7.4 million in grant requests. Even with the funding limitations, the program served 538 program sites and was able to hire 250 local youth to help serve in programs as well. A majority or programs provided options at no or low cost, transportation, and food. Programs were able to serve youth with special needs and offered a geographic spread across 13 of 14 of Vermont’s counties. You can find a map of program sites on the Vermont Afterschool webpage.

Vermont has already begun collecting examples of how impactful the funding was for programs and communities. For instance:

  • Camp Agape in Plymouth, Vermont was able add 20 additional slots for their community and increase hiring to keep the ratios low for the high-need children they serve. The camp was offered for free, and staff were training in youth mental health first aid and crisis prevention. The program was also able to provide free transportation for campers. The grant also allowed them to hire a licensed mental health counselor to provide support around SEL skills, trauma, and crisis intervention.

  • An Audubon program in Huntington, Vermont offered experiential learning camps for youth in outdoor settings, teaching campers to use a compass, identify wild edibles and make their own lip balm, among other skills. The summer grant allowed the program to increase staffing and extend programming to an additional 64 campers. They also developed a leadership program which allowed teens to receive a stipend to work with younger children, and gain workforce and leadership skills in the process.

If you haven’t already, now is a great time to begin thinking of warmer weather and planning for your summer programs in 2022. For inspiration, check out The Wallace Foundation’s Summer Learning Toolkit and other amazing resources to inspire your best summer yet. And, if you are still seeking funding for your summer program, use our America After 3PM summer data to help make the case.

We continue collecting examples of how American Rescue Plan funds have made an impact across states and communities. They warm our hearts and help us to advocate for more opportunities as well. To contribute your state, district or program’s story please reach out to our team!

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

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BY: Erik Peterson      05/11/23

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

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BY: Erik Peterson      04/21/23

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

This month,  a bipartisan group of Senate co-sponsors reintroduced the Youth Workforce Readiness Act (S 454). The legislation, first introduced in 2019, would create a competitive grant program through the Department of Labor to support collaborations of national youth-serving out-of-school...

BY: Jillian Luchner      03/20/23

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

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

National Mentoring month in January arrived paired with three pieces of legislation to support mentoring activities: A Transition to Success Mentoring Act, Mentoring to Succeed Act, and the Students Helping Younger Students Act. All three bills currently have only Democratic support. Service...

BY: Jillian Luchner      02/10/23

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

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...

BY: Erik Peterson      01/09/23

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

While Congress and the White House struggle with raising the debt ceiling and getting the appropriations process back on track, legislation continues to be introduced in both the House and Senate. Beginning in late April, a trio of bills have been introduced that provide critical supports for...

BY: Erik Peterson      05/11/23

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

The FY 2024 appropriations process continues in the House this month, with agency heads testifying on the president’s budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. On Tuesday, April 18, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education held a budget...

BY: Erik Peterson      04/21/23

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

March madness = Budget & appropriations process kickoff!

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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

Three new bills would support mentoring for student success

National Mentoring month in January arrived paired with three pieces of legislation to support mentoring activities: A Transition to Success Mentoring Act, Mentoring to Succeed Act, and the Students Helping Younger Students Act. All three bills currently have only Democratic support. Service...

BY: Jillian Luchner      02/10/23

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

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...

BY: Erik Peterson      01/09/23

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

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

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BY: Erik Peterson      11/15/22

$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

This summer, thanks to pandemic relief funding, some students are experiencing a summer full of exploration, connections with friends and mentors, and learning that is engaging and exciting. After the last couple years, it can be a game changer for youth who have faced isolation, loss, and...

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

Last year, as states grappled with ways to reengage students as the recovery from the pandemic set in, student mental health came to the forefront in many state legislatures. In Georgia last year, the state legislature passed HB1013, the Mental Health Parity Act, to address mental health...

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

In late January, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona gave a major address at the Department of Education, laying out his vision for improving the American education system. He largely focused on continued recovery through the pandemic and the need for broader investments in education to...

BY: Erik Peterson      02/07/22

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

As the winter air blows in, it’s the perfect time to warm up with thoughts of summer. In fact, many school districts and afterschool programs know that planning for summer begins in the fall. Fortunately, the hard work programs, partners, and schools undertook during summer 2021 provided...

BY: Jillian Luchner      12/07/21

House of Representatives passes Build Back Better Act

On Friday, November 19, 2021, the House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act by a vote of 220-213. The legislation invests in programs that support human infrastructure and includes parts...

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