Afterschool Alliance

People are joining together across the country to push for quality, affordable afterschool programs for all youth. Networks of afterschool program providers and advocates are already working or forming in several states. Click below for information about youth and afterschool in your state.

Tools

Beyond Elections - Different vehicles and policies have been used, or are being pursued, across the nation to support afterschool programming. Here, we have compiled examples for you to use as a guide as you work with other advocates and policymakers to advance afterschool. Areas covered are: Legislation; State Budget Process; Executive Branch Task Forces; Governors’ Children’s Cabinets; Advisory Committees; Ballot Initiatives

State Policy Trends – an analysis of states and their leadership in 2006 and 2007 revealed some key opportunities for afterschool, including rising state revenues, the theme of education as an investment, engaging older youth, and keeping kids of all ages healthy and safe.

Election Campaign and Candidate Tools - everything you need to make afterschool an issue in the elections in your area.

Tools to Advocate for Afterschool – sample letters, site visit tools and more

Issue Briefs – tailor your case to the interests of your audience

Polling Data – making the case that voters want more investment in afterschool

Statewide Afterschool Networks

Currently 32 states have statewide afterschool networks to coordinate and influence the systems that support the success of children and young people.

Each network is centered around three goals:

Goal 1: Create a sustainable structure of statewide, regional and local partnerships, particularly school-community partnerships, focused on supporting policy development at all levels.

Goal 2: Support the development and growth of statewide policies that will secure the resources that are needed to sustain new and existing afterschool programs.

Goal 3: Support statewide systems to ensure programs are of high quality.

For more information go to: www.statewideafterschoolnetworks.net/