Archives:

Select:

Senate Democrats LHHS bill proposes $50 million increase to 21st CCLC as FY2022 Appropriations process continues

READ FULL STORY

Senate Democrats LHHS bill proposes $50 million increase to 21st CCLC as FY2022 Appropriations process continues

This week Senate Appropriations Committee chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) released the nine remaining fiscal year FY 2022 appropriations bills that the Senate has not yet addressed, including the FY 2022 Labor-HHS-Education bill.  The bills are partisan in nature, and the Committee is unlikely to mark up any of these bills before they are negotiated with their House colleagues. As a reminder, the House passed 9 of their 12 spending measures last summer. The Senate Democrats’ proposed LHHS bill includes a $50 million increase to the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) initiative – the only federal funding stream dedicated to afterschool, before-school, and summer learning programs. The House bill included a $100 million increase while President Biden’s budget proposal included a $50 million increase for 21st CCLC.

The Senate appropriations bills have the same overall non-defense discretionary (NDD) total as the President’s request and the House appropriations bills, but provide more for defense discretionary accounts to match the allocation in the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act.  By providing a 5% increase for defense discretionary spending rather than the 2% requested by the President, NDD programs are increased by 13%, which is smaller than the 16% increase included in the House-passed bills.  The Senate Labor-HHS-Education bill provides a 35% increase over the FY 2021 level of funding for the Department of Education  – less than the 41% increase in the President’s budget and the House-passed appropriations bill.  The Senate FY 2022 Labor-HHS-Education bill provides $220.8 billion in overall funding, an increase of $46.7 billion above FY 2021 spending. For the Department of Education (ED), the bill provides $98.4 billion in discretionary appropriations, an increase of $24.9 billion above the funding level for FY 2021. The text of the draft bill and an explanatory statement was released on October 18.

Key funding provisions of the draft bill that would support afterschool and summer learning programs include the following:

  • $50 million increase for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center program, which supports before-school, afterschool and summer learning programs for almost 2 million students. The program would receive $1.310 billion.
  • $1.4 billion increase for Child Care and Development Block Grant, for a total of $7.31 billion. This Department of Health and Human Services program supports school-age children with afterschool and summer programs, in addition to providing child care to infants, toddlers and preschool children.
  • A $16.5 billion increase for ESSA Title I grants to Local Education Agencies for a total $33 billion. These education funds can be used by school districts to support afterschool and summer learning.
  • $100 million increase for Title IV Part A Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants for a total of $1.32 billion. These funds can be used for afterschool science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), physical activity and a host of other uses.
  • $370 million increase for Full-Service Community Schools for a total of $400 million. Full Service Community Schools funding supports comprehensive services and expands evidence-based models that meet the holistic needs of children, families, and communities, including afterschool and summer learning components.
  • $50 million increase for Career and Technical Education State Grants for a total of $1.38 billion.
  • $15 million for Career Pathways for Youth Grants at the Department of Labor – an increase of $5 million. The Committee recommendation includes $15,000,000 to utilize the demonstration grant authority under the dislocated worker national reserve for grants to support national out-of-school time organizations that serve youth and teens, and place an emphasis on age-appropriate workforce readiness programming to expand job training and workforce pathways
    for youth and disconnected youth. This programming includes soft skill development, career exploration, job readiness and certification, summer jobs, year-round job opportunities, and apprenticeships. Funding will also support partnerships between workforce investment boards and youth serving organizations.
  • Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS): a $64 million increase for CNCS for a total of $1.2 billion. AmeriCorps positions include those supporting afterschool and summer learning programs.
  • With regard to support for trauma informed care, the bill includes:
    • As part of a $73.5 million increase, up to $180 million for SAMHSA’s Project Aware school mental health grants, there is $25M to implement for the first time ever the Sec. 7134 grants that were created in the 2018 SUPPORT Act
    • $180.5 million for Project AWARE, an increase of $73.5 million. Project AWARE within SAMHSA increases awareness of mental health issues and connects young people that have behavioral health issues and their families with needed services. The Committee encourages SAMHSA to continue using funds to provide mental health services in schools and out of school for school aged youth. Additionally, of the amount provided for Project AWARE, SAMHSA is directed to use $18.7 million for discretionary grants to support efforts in high-crime, high-poverty areas and, in particular, communities that are seeking to address relevant impacts and root causes of civil unrest,
      community violence, and collective trauma. SAMHSA is encouraged to continue consultation with the Department of Education in administration of these grants.
    • $25 million is also provided for trauma support services in educational settings. Specifically, in accompanying report language, the Senate Appropriations Committee states that it recognizes that the COVID–19 pandemic has increased the need for school and community-based trauma services for children, youth, young adults, and their families; and also recognizes the need to support school staff with training in trauma-informed practices. The $25 million is provided to increase student access to evidence-based, culturally relevant, trauma support services and mental healthcare through established partnerships with community organizations as described by section 7134 of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act that passed in 2018.
    • $6.25 million increase for the Resiliency In Communities After Stress and Trauma (ReCAST) grant program, for a total of $18.75 million  
    • $10 million increase, up to $82 million, for SAMHSA’s National Child Traumatic Stress Network
    • $5 million for CDC’s Adverse Childhood Experiences prevention program
    • A $100 million increase, up to $110 million for CDC’s new community violence initiative, consistent with the President’s budget request  
    • Language supportive of the Interagency Trauma Task Force

The Senate Commerce Justice and Science draft bill was also released this week and includes the following funds that can support afterschool and summer learning:

  • $110 million for Youth Mentoring grants within the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), an increase of $10 million.
  • $50 million in new funding for DOJ's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) for a new initiative for states to close and repurpose youth prisons and expand more effective community-based alternatives for youth. 
  • An increase to $10 million for the DOJ Children Exposed to Violence initiative.
  • An increase of $132 million for the National Science Foundation’s Education and Human Resources Directorate, which includes no less than $70 million for the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program, a proposed increase of at least $7.5 million for AISL.
  • Language encouraging NSF to provide hands-on and experiential learning opportunities through grants to support STEM education, including through afterschool activities and innovative learning opportunities such as robotics competitions.

FY 2022 began on October 1, 2021, however a continuing resolution is funding the federal government through December 3, 2021. With the release of the remaining Senate spending bills this week negotiations between the House and Senate, and Democrats and Republicans will continue this fall in anticipation of a final FY 2022 spending bill that can pass both chambers and be signed into law by the President. As afterschool advocates celebrate Lights On Afterschool this month, speaking out in support of afterschool program funding is especially important! Friends of afterschool can weigh in with their members of Congress about the importance of funding afterschool and summer learning programs.

Newly introduced legislation would expand opportunities for community service in Federal Work-Study programs

U.S. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT) recently introduced the Students Working for Communities Act to foster and expand student opportunities to participate in community service under the Federal Work-Study Program. The Federal Work-Study (FWS) program provides students with work...

BY: Jillian Luchner      10/04/24

New Department of Education School Improvement Guidance includes afterschool and summer as important strategies

In early September, the White House released two documents that speak to the role that quality afterschool and summer learning programs can and do play in supporting student success. The White House Fact Sheet on Academic Success and the new School Improvement Guidance are complementary and outline...

BY: Erik Peterson      09/20/24

During election season, afterschool remains a bipartisan issue

Election Day is quickly approaching, making it a good time to look at how afterschool and summer learning programs might be impacted by the policy platforms of the Republican and Democratic presidential nominees. While policy platforms do not necessarily reflect how the candidates might address an...

BY: Erik Peterson      09/17/24

21st CCLC Non-Regulatory Guidance finalized, includes updated information on parent fees

On September 3, the U.S. Department of Education published its final Non-Regulatory Guidance for the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) program. This guidance officially replaces the last edition of guidance published in 2003. The guidance aligns with the updated legislative...

BY: Erik Peterson      09/06/24

Child care momentum continues with a re-introduced bill for CCDBG

On August 1, Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced the Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2024. The act builds on the current Child Care and Development Block Grant legislation last reauthorized in 2014. Additional co-sponsors include Todd Young (R-IN), Susan...

BY: Jillian Luchner      08/13/24

Senate appropriators propose level funding for 21st CCLC in FY 2025

The Senate Appropriations Committee released and marked up their Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill on August 1, 2024. The bill proposes $231.34 billion in base discretionary funding for Fiscal Year 2025, and the Committee approved the bill along...

BY: Erik Peterson      08/02/24

Summer for All legislation introduced in the Senate

On July 26, at Camp Courant summer learning program in Farmington, CT, Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced the introduction of the Summer for All Act. The new federal legislation aims to help provide high-quality summer enrichment opportunities to all children, youth and families, and...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/30/24

Appropriations update: House Committee passes FY 2025 Education Spending Bill, Senate starts process

This week, both the House and Senate made progress on the FY 2025 appropriations cycle. The House Appropriations Committee continued to approve bills sent to them by the 12 spending subcommittees, while the Senate got its process started by deciding topline figures. House Committee acts on...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/12/24

Key House subcommittee makes deep cuts to education spending in FY 25

On June 27, the House of Representatives Labor, Health and Human Services, Education (LHHS-ED) and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee marked up its FY 2025 spending bill. Overall, the FY 2025 Labor-Health and Humans Services-Education bill (Labor-H) provides $68.1 billion for Department...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/27/24

House advances legislation that would improve youth workforce development

On April 9, the US House of Representatives approved H.R. 6655, “A Stronger Workforce for America Act,” by a vote of 378 to 26. The bipartisan legislation reauthorizes and makes critical improvements to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and seeks to expand skills...

BY: Erik Peterson      04/26/24

Child care momentum continues with a re-introduced bill for CCDBG

On August 1, Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced the Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2024. The act builds on the current Child Care and Development Block Grant legislation last reauthorized in 2014. Additional co-sponsors include Todd Young (R-IN), Susan...

BY: Jillian Luchner      08/13/24

Senate appropriators propose level funding for 21st CCLC in FY 2025

The Senate Appropriations Committee released and marked up their Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill on August 1, 2024. The bill proposes $231.34 billion in base discretionary funding for Fiscal Year 2025, and the Committee approved the bill along...

BY: Erik Peterson      08/02/24

Summer for All legislation introduced in the Senate

On July 26, at Camp Courant summer learning program in Farmington, CT, Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced the introduction of the Summer for All Act. The new federal legislation aims to help provide high-quality summer enrichment opportunities to all children, youth and families, and...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/30/24

Senate Finance Committee examines the State of Child Care

On July 9, 2024, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing titled "Examining the State of Child Care: How Federal Policy Solutions Can Support Families, Close Existing Gaps, and Strengthen Economic Growth." This hearing addressed the urgent child care crisis in the United States. The...

BY: Jamaiya Nowling      07/25/24

Appropriations update: House Committee passes FY 2025 Education Spending Bill, Senate starts process

This week, both the House and Senate made progress on the FY 2025 appropriations cycle. The House Appropriations Committee continued to approve bills sent to them by the 12 spending subcommittees, while the Senate got its process started by deciding topline figures. House Committee acts on...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/12/24

Key House subcommittee makes deep cuts to education spending in FY 25

On June 27, the House of Representatives Labor, Health and Human Services, Education (LHHS-ED) and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee marked up its FY 2025 spending bill. Overall, the FY 2025 Labor-Health and Humans Services-Education bill (Labor-H) provides $68.1 billion for Department...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/27/24

FY 25 appropriations process hits its stride, time to advocate for afterschool

After many delays, Congress finished work on fiscal year (FY) 2024 spending bills in late March, allowing lawmakers to immediately turn to the FY 2025 process. The House Appropriations Committee has a new Chairman, both House and Senate Appropriation Committees have released guidance for spending...

BY: Erik Peterson      05/03/24

House advances legislation that would improve youth workforce development

On April 9, the US House of Representatives approved H.R. 6655, “A Stronger Workforce for America Act,” by a vote of 378 to 26. The bipartisan legislation reauthorizes and makes critical improvements to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and seeks to expand skills...

BY: Erik Peterson      04/26/24

Two new bills in Congress aim to support young people through afterschool programs

While funding battles and impeachment debates continue to dominate the headlines from Capitol Hill, two new bipartisan bills were introduced in Congress in recent weeks that, if passed, could help support local afterschool programs and the young people they serve. Senators Cortez-Masto...

BY: Chris Neitzey      04/22/24

Congress poised to resolve FY 2024 spending with 6-bill package, including support for afterschool and summer programs

Update, March 25, 2024:The Senate passed the measure early Saturday morning, and the bill has been signed into law by President Biden. Update, March 22, 2024: The House of Representatives passed the FY 2024 six-bill package on Friday morning by a vote of 286-134. Read the statement by Jodi...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/21/24

21st CCLC Non-Regulatory Guidance finalized, includes updated information on parent fees

On September 3, the U.S. Department of Education published its final Non-Regulatory Guidance for the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) program. This guidance officially replaces the last edition of guidance published in 2003. The guidance aligns with the updated legislative...

BY: Erik Peterson      09/06/24

Senate appropriators propose level funding for 21st CCLC in FY 2025

The Senate Appropriations Committee released and marked up their Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill on August 1, 2024. The bill proposes $231.34 billion in base discretionary funding for Fiscal Year 2025, and the Committee approved the bill along...

BY: Erik Peterson      08/02/24

Senate Finance Committee examines the State of Child Care

On July 9, 2024, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing titled "Examining the State of Child Care: How Federal Policy Solutions Can Support Families, Close Existing Gaps, and Strengthen Economic Growth." This hearing addressed the urgent child care crisis in the United States. The...

BY: Jamaiya Nowling      07/25/24

Appropriations update: House Committee passes FY 2025 Education Spending Bill, Senate starts process

This week, both the House and Senate made progress on the FY 2025 appropriations cycle. The House Appropriations Committee continued to approve bills sent to them by the 12 spending subcommittees, while the Senate got its process started by deciding topline figures. House Committee acts on...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/12/24

Key House subcommittee makes deep cuts to education spending in FY 25

On June 27, the House of Representatives Labor, Health and Human Services, Education (LHHS-ED) and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee marked up its FY 2025 spending bill. Overall, the FY 2025 Labor-Health and Humans Services-Education bill (Labor-H) provides $68.1 billion for Department...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/27/24

FY 25 appropriations process hits its stride, time to advocate for afterschool

After many delays, Congress finished work on fiscal year (FY) 2024 spending bills in late March, allowing lawmakers to immediately turn to the FY 2025 process. The House Appropriations Committee has a new Chairman, both House and Senate Appropriation Committees have released guidance for spending...

BY: Erik Peterson      05/03/24

Congress poised to resolve FY 2024 spending with 6-bill package, including support for afterschool and summer programs

Update, March 25, 2024:The Senate passed the measure early Saturday morning, and the bill has been signed into law by President Biden. Update, March 22, 2024: The House of Representatives passed the FY 2024 six-bill package on Friday morning by a vote of 286-134. Read the statement by Jodi...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/21/24

FY 2024 Appropriations update: Six spending bills passed; new deadline for education spending

Crisis averted. Yet again. The first week of March was another “shutdown week” in Washington, D.C. However, by week’s end, the House and Senate had passed a package of six appropriations bills that headed off a partial federal government shutdown, as funding for four spending...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/13/24

Biden administration releases FY 2025 budget proposal, includes afterschool related increases

Today, the Biden administration released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 discretionary budget request, formally kicking off the FY2025 appropriations process. With regard to afterschool and summer learning support, the proposal requests $1.3 billion for afterschool and summer programs funded through the...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/11/24

Appropriations update: Countdown till next CR deadline

Update – March 1, 2024: Today the Senate followed the House in passing a fourth continuing resolution which extends FY 2024 federal government spending to March 8 for four appropriations bill and March 22 for the remaining eight bills. This prevents a partial government shutdown from...

BY: Erik Peterson      01/18/24

Increased state-level funding for afterschool and summer programs helps students succeed

State-level funding for afterschool and summer learning programs has increased 20-fold since 2000, with 26 states now collectively providing more than $5 billion in funding for local programs. The growth in state funding for afterschool and summer programs reflects the increased demand for programs...

BY: Erik Peterson      08/20/24

Child care momentum continues with a re-introduced bill for CCDBG

On August 1, Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced the Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2024. The act builds on the current Child Care and Development Block Grant legislation last reauthorized in 2014. Additional co-sponsors include Todd Young (R-IN), Susan...

BY: Jillian Luchner      08/13/24

Pennsylvania approves $11.5 million for local afterschool and summer programs

On July 11, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed into law the Shapiro-Davis budget creating the Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) Program as part of a comprehensive approach to making Pennsylvania communities safer. This represents the first dedicated funding for local...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/22/24

State budget roundup for afterschool: Part 1

Last year saw the addition of four states – Minnesota, Texas, New Mexico, and Michigan – to the growing list of states investing in afterschool and summer programming. This year, with the majority of state legislative sessions coming to a close, we can add four more to that total....

BY: Chris Neitzey      05/22/24

New resource: Designing State Child Care Systems with Intentional Supports for Children and Youth 5-13

The State Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) planning process is in full swing, and states are envisioning how to best provide quality support and access to care for eligible children and youth aged 0-13. It’s a big endeavor, and it truly takes a village. The Administration of...

BY: Jillian Luchner      05/06/24

New York takes steps to build stronger state afterschool system

By Gabby Schwartz, Policy Coordinator, New York State Network for Youth Success. In February, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced an investment of $100 million in grants for a new afterschool program, the Learning and Enrichment After-school Program Supports (LEAPS). This new program...

BY: Guest Blogger      05/02/24

It’s time for school-age advocates to raise their voices in state plans

The state child care planning template for the next three years is out! From now until July 1, State Administrative Agencies will be determining how to spend over $12 billion annually in federal Child Care and Development Funds (CCDF) dedicated to helping eligible families find affordable,...

BY: Jillian Luchner      04/19/24

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro proposes $11.5 million in state funding for afterschool programs

Photo by Andre Frueh on Unsplash During Governor Josh Shapiro’s (D) budget address on February 6, a proposal for $11.5 million in state funding for afterschool programs was included, which would establish the first dedicated funding for afterschool in Pennsylvania. The proposal comes after...

BY: Chris Neitzey      02/08/24

Changes coming to summer meals program for summer 2024

While snow is on the ground in many parts of the country, it is not too early to think about summer learning and enrichment program planning, and how to ensure nutritious meals are part of all comprehensive summer learning programs. On December 29, 2023, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)...

BY: Erik Peterson      01/22/24

Community schools: New grants, new legislation, continued synergy with afterschool and summer

Late last month, a new round of Full Service Community Schools grants were announced by the US Department of Education, including several state scaling grants for IL, ID, FL and NC. Also in late November, U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Ben...

BY: Erik Peterson      12/18/23

New Department of Education School Improvement Guidance includes afterschool and summer as important strategies

In early September, the White House released two documents that speak to the role that quality afterschool and summer learning programs can and do play in supporting student success. The White House Fact Sheet on Academic Success and the new School Improvement Guidance are complementary and outline...

BY: Erik Peterson      09/20/24

21st CCLC Non-Regulatory Guidance finalized, includes updated information on parent fees

On September 3, the U.S. Department of Education published its final Non-Regulatory Guidance for the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) program. This guidance officially replaces the last edition of guidance published in 2003. The guidance aligns with the updated legislative...

BY: Erik Peterson      09/06/24

FY 25 appropriations process hits its stride, time to advocate for afterschool

After many delays, Congress finished work on fiscal year (FY) 2024 spending bills in late March, allowing lawmakers to immediately turn to the FY 2025 process. The House Appropriations Committee has a new Chairman, both House and Senate Appropriation Committees have released guidance for spending...

BY: Erik Peterson      05/03/24

Congress poised to resolve FY 2024 spending with 6-bill package, including support for afterschool and summer programs

Update, March 25, 2024:The Senate passed the measure early Saturday morning, and the bill has been signed into law by President Biden. Update, March 22, 2024: The House of Representatives passed the FY 2024 six-bill package on Friday morning by a vote of 286-134. Read the statement by Jodi...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/21/24

White House Domestic Policy Council focuses on summer learning

Photo by René DeAnda on Unsplash On March 13, just days after the administration released their FY 2025 budget proposal, the White House Domestic Policy Council (DPC) hosted a Summer Learning Convening in the White House Executive Office Building. The meeting was kicked off by DPC...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/18/24

Afterschool and summer learning called out in Improving Student Achievement agenda

Earlier this month the Biden administration announced a new effort focused on providing students with the support they need to accelerate learning and be successful in school and life. The Improving Student Achievement Agenda for 2024 was launched at the White House on January 17 and is focused on...

BY: Erik Peterson      02/01/24

Extending the liquidation deadline of ESSER III funds to promote student success

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education released a letter sent to state education agencies outlining the process for requesting American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) funding extensions. The process will be similar to what was announced for ESSER I and...

BY: Erik Peterson      01/19/24

21st CCLC is 25: Join us in an upcoming year of visioning the future of 21st Century Community Learning Centers

As the year wraps up, we offer a final cheer in celebration of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative’s twenty fifth year! It was a year filled with an information packed 21st CCLC Summer Institute; the continuation of the federal Engage Every Student...

BY: Jillian Luchner      12/20/23

New law clarifies the use of federal funds for archery and other programs

Image by 422737 from Pixabay Last week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the “Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act” (H.R. 5110). The law specifically allows schools to use federal education funds for archery, hunting, or other shooting sports. The bipartisan legislation...

BY: Erik Peterson      10/04/23

Beyond relief – New tools to help sustain the impactful pandemic investments in afterschool and summer

Children’s Funding Project, in collaboration with Grantmakers for Education and our team at the Afterschool Alliance released an important new tool for the field, “Funding Out-Of-School Time Programs – Now and in the Future.” Recognizing that COVID-19 education and child...

BY: Jillian Luchner      09/29/23

Senate appropriators propose level funding for 21st CCLC in FY 2025

The Senate Appropriations Committee released and marked up their Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill on August 1, 2024. The bill proposes $231.34 billion in base discretionary funding for Fiscal Year 2025, and the Committee approved the bill along...

BY: Erik Peterson      08/02/24

Key House subcommittee makes deep cuts to education spending in FY 25

On June 27, the House of Representatives Labor, Health and Human Services, Education (LHHS-ED) and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee marked up its FY 2025 spending bill. Overall, the FY 2025 Labor-Health and Humans Services-Education bill (Labor-H) provides $68.1 billion for Department...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/27/24

Congress poised to resolve FY 2024 spending with 6-bill package, including support for afterschool and summer programs

Update, March 25, 2024:The Senate passed the measure early Saturday morning, and the bill has been signed into law by President Biden. Update, March 22, 2024: The House of Representatives passed the FY 2024 six-bill package on Friday morning by a vote of 286-134. Read the statement by Jodi...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/21/24

FY 2024 Appropriations update: Six spending bills passed; new deadline for education spending

Crisis averted. Yet again. The first week of March was another “shutdown week” in Washington, D.C. However, by week’s end, the House and Senate had passed a package of six appropriations bills that headed off a partial federal government shutdown, as funding for four spending...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/13/24

Biden administration releases FY 2025 budget proposal, includes afterschool related increases

Today, the Biden administration released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 discretionary budget request, formally kicking off the FY2025 appropriations process. With regard to afterschool and summer learning support, the proposal requests $1.3 billion for afterschool and summer programs funded through the...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/11/24

FY 24 Appropriations update: Continuing Resolution, education spending bills, and… shutdown averted?

Update – Nov. 16, 2023: Last night the ‘two-tiered’ Continuing Resolution that will keep federal funding intact until Jan. 19, 2024, (for Military Construction-VA, Agriculture, Energy and Water, and Transportation-HUDs) and until Feb. 2, 2024, (for all other federal agencies...

BY: Erik Peterson      11/15/23

Federal appropriations update: Are we headed for a shutdown?

Congress is back in session after its annual August recess, and at the top of their to-do list is addressing spending for the fiscal year that begins October 1. As we touched on last month, lawmakers are staring down a fast-approaching deadline for action on FY 2024 spending. It is clear that...

BY: Erik Peterson      09/15/23

Summer is ending! What is the status of appropriations for STEM education on Capitol Hill?

As is the case each August, Congress has left Washington D.C., for several weeks. The month’s slower pace gives STEM, education and afterschool advocates an opportunity to digest what happened in the frantic days before the recess and assess what remains to be done in 2023. The annual...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      08/28/23

Back to school means back to D.C. for Congress. What’s ahead in September?

The slower pace of August in Washington, D.C., is nearing its end. The imminent return of the U.S. Congress to Capitol Hill and the people’s business suggests the need for revisiting what lawmakers did before the August recess and what faces them in September. As students and teachers go back...

BY: Erik Peterson      08/25/23

Senate appropriators propose level funding for 21st CCLC in FY 2024

The Senate Appropriations Committee released and marked up their Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill on July 27, 2023. The bill proposes $224.4 billion in total funding for Fiscal Year 2024. The Nita M Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Initiative...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/31/23

Increased state-level funding for afterschool and summer programs helps students succeed

State-level funding for afterschool and summer learning programs has increased 20-fold since 2000, with 26 states now collectively providing more than $5 billion in funding for local programs. The growth in state funding for afterschool and summer programs reflects the increased demand for programs...

BY: Erik Peterson      08/20/24

FY 2024 Appropriations update: Six spending bills passed; new deadline for education spending

Crisis averted. Yet again. The first week of March was another “shutdown week” in Washington, D.C. However, by week’s end, the House and Senate had passed a package of six appropriations bills that headed off a partial federal government shutdown, as funding for four spending...

BY: Erik Peterson      03/13/24

Comments sought on proposed change to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) regulations

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) recently proposed changes to improve the effectiveness and integrity of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) regulations. This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is meant to help...

BY: Erik Peterson      11/21/23

Summer is ending! What is the status of appropriations for STEM education on Capitol Hill?

As is the case each August, Congress has left Washington D.C., for several weeks. The month’s slower pace gives STEM, education and afterschool advocates an opportunity to digest what happened in the frantic days before the recess and assess what remains to be done in 2023. The annual...

BY: Anita Krishnamurthi      08/28/23

Back to school means back to D.C. for Congress. What’s ahead in September?

The slower pace of August in Washington, D.C., is nearing its end. The imminent return of the U.S. Congress to Capitol Hill and the people’s business suggests the need for revisiting what lawmakers did before the August recess and what faces them in September. As students and teachers go back...

BY: Erik Peterson      08/25/23

Senate appropriators propose level funding for 21st CCLC in FY 2024

The Senate Appropriations Committee released and marked up their Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) bill on July 27, 2023. The bill proposes $224.4 billion in total funding for Fiscal Year 2024. The Nita M Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Initiative...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/31/23

House Appropriators mark-up FY 2024 Education spending bill

This week, the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee pushed the FY 2024 appropriations process forward by holding multiple subcommittee mark-ups. On Friday, July 14, the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education (LHHS-ED) and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee marked up its...

BY: Erik Peterson      07/14/23

Congress passes deal to raise debt limit and constrain spending

UPDATE: June 2, 2023: Late on the night of June 1, the U.S. Senate passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act by a vote of 63-36, about 24 hours after the House passed the bill with a bipartisan vote of 314-117. The President is expected to sign the bill into law today. On May 31, the House passed the...

BY: Erik Peterson      06/01/23

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

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