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Summer Learning and Federal Stimulus Dollars

As states and districts prepare for the disbursement of billions of dollars from the federal stimulus bill, there is a tremendous opportunity both to create jobs quickly and take a major step toward closing the achievement gap through innovative programming.

A joint paper from the Education Commission of the States and the National Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University identifies how states can use summer learning programs to maximize new federal funds while also increasing their chances of receiving additional federal funding through the Race to the Top awards program.

To access report: click here.

National Legislation Alert: Youth Promise Act Introduced

On February 13, Representatives Mike Castle (R-DE) and Robert C. Bobby Scott (D-VA) introduced the Youth Prison Reduction through Opportunity Mentoring, Intervention, Support and Education (PROMISE) Act. Afterschool is mentioned throughout the bill as a promising practice and effective intervention to prevent youth violence. The bill is designed to empower local communities to form their own councils to develop strategies to deter gang activity and other juvenile crime.

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Federal Stimulus: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Newly issued government guidance for state and local use of federal stimulus dollars offers new opportunities for afterschool programs to secure much needed funding. In particular, the Department of Education's guidance on Title I funding indicates that school districts may apply for waivers to Supplemental Education Services requirements, allowing school systems greater flexibility in supporting afterschool programs with stimulus dollars.

The guidance, issued by the Department of Education on March 6, describes the process by which stimulus dollars will be divided among the states, how states secure their share of the funding, and the types of expenditures suitable for stimulus funds. The guidance specifically cites afterschool programs as one of several possible programs eligible for the $13 billion appropriated for Title I funding... read more about it!

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009 here in Colorado. On our site you can find information about where these funds will be going, especially as it relates to after-school and other expanded learning opportunities.

We will be updating this resource page with the latest and greatest news on these funds!

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The Cost of Quality Out-of-School Time Programs

Out-of-school time (OST) programs are increasingly expected to be of high enough quality to produce real benefits for children, but until now there has been little information on what such quality programming costs. This groundbreaking report fills that gap, providing a data-filled examination of the costs of 111 diverse, quality OST programs in six cities. The report finds that costs vary widely depending on a range of factors from program goals to times of operation and the ages of the children served. The report is also distinctive because it looks at the full costs of programming, including non-cash contributions OST operators often depend on such as free-of-charge space for programming.

To bring these findings to life, Wallace and the report’s research team also created an online “OST cost calculator” on Wallace’s website to help users calculate the costs of various options for high-quality OST programs. To visit the site – which includes the cost calculator, examples of program costs and options, quality strategies and other resources – click here.

A New Federal Website on Youth: FindYouthInfo.gov

The FindYouthInfo.gov website provides Federally-developed interactive tools and other resources to help youth-serving organizations and community partnerships. It is designed to benefit Federal agencies, youth service providers, and the youth-serving community. Tools and resources available on the website include resources to assist communities and others:

Key elements of effective partnerships, including strategies for engaging youth
Helpful community assessment tools
Mapping tools that generate maps of local and Federal youth programs
Searchable database of evidence-based programs to address risk and protective factors in youth
High-quality Federal publications and web links on youth issues

Beginning in the spring of 2009, the website will be expanded to include strategic planning tools, interactive resources to support community partnerships, and other features.

Visit site: FindYouthInfo.gov