CA Budget: Family & Education Advocates Applaud Commitment to Fully Funding Afterschool Programs; Urge Leaders to Direct Funding to
Stabilize Existing Programs
Advocates call on state leaders to include critically needed cost-of-living adjustments for
state and federally funded expanded learning programs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2021 — Last Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom released the May Revision to his 2021-2022 state budget proposal. He proposes $1 billion, growing to $5 billion by 2025, to provide elementary students in under-served communities expanded learning and enrichment opportunities through comprehensive afterschool and summer programs. The California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance (CA3) issued this statement in response:
“We are thrilled that the Governor has committed to a massive increase in public funding for afterschool and summer programs. This historic investment is necessary for recovery from the pandemic and to address longstanding educational inequities. The commitment to growing these programs is exciting news for the many students and families who have not had access in the past.
“As expanded learning providers and advocates, we want to be sure this investment succeeds in its goals of supporting the students and families who need it most now and for years to come. For this to work, state leaders need to stabilize and leverage California’s current system of expanded learning programs and their heroic workforce. These programs, including many nonprofit community-based organizations, have been tirelessly providing care to children and have been a lifeline for families during the pandemic, operating in-person hubs, providing social-emotional and academic support virtually, and reconnecting with students most at risk of disengagement.
“This investment should include adequate per pupil funding to ensure that the approximately 4,500 existing programs through the After School Education and Safety (ASES) and 21st Century Community Learning Centers can provide comprehensive educational and enrichment supports for students, pay a living wage to its workforce, and recruit and retain the staff needed to serve more students. This investment should also support and leverage community partners who have been on the frontlines during the pandemic. We cannot add new programs or add more students without stabilizing our existing system. As Governor Newsom unveiled his commitment to universal afterschool, he acknowledged that these programs have long been severely underfunded, stating in his press briefing that “$550 million a year wasn’t enough to provide comprehensive afterschool programs.”
“We are excited to see that afterschool programs and the communities they serve are getting the attention they deserve, and are eager to work with state leaders on the full details for allocating this increased investment so that it best serves the students and families it’s intended to help.”
About the California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance
California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance (CA3) is the statewide voice for expanded learning, including afterschool and summer learning programs. It is the coalition behind the Save Afterschool Campaign and represents the interests of half a million children, youth, and their families that rely on publicly funded expanded learning programs throughout California each day. www.saveafterschool.com
California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance Members
A World Fit for Kids; After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles; arc; Bay Area Community Resources; Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson; California AfterSchool Network; California Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs; California School-Age Consortium; California State Alliance of YMCAs; California Teaching Fellows Foundation; Children Now; Community Youth Ministries; EduCare Foundation; Fight Crime: Invest in Kids; Foundation for California Community Colleges; Heart of Los Angeles; LA's BEST Afterschool Enrichment Program; LA Conservation Corps; Mission: Readiness; Partnership for Children & Youth; Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center; The Children's Initiative; Think Together; Woodcraft Rangers; YMCA of San Diego County
Contact: Stephanie Pollick, stephanie@partnerforchildren.org