Do not cut funding, but instead grow investments in afterschool and summer learning
21st Century Community Learning Centers help youth, parents, and the community
This month the nation is celebrating Lights On Afterschool - take a moment to weigh in with your elected officials! Congress averted a government shutdown on September 30th by passing a 45 day temporary spending measure called a continuing resolution. While work continues on regular spending bills, now is a great time to reach out to make the case for robust education funding. Earlier this summer both chambers released their FY 2024 Labor, HHS, Education spending bills: the House bill includes deep cuts to education programs while the Senate bill includes some modest increases. Both bills fund local afterschool and summer learning programs at last year's level. Reach out to your members of Congress to thank them for their past support and call on them to increase funding for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) initiative – the only federal funding stream dedicated to supporting local school and community-based afterschool, before-school, and summer learning programs.
The families of approximately 25 million children are unable to access an afterschool program. A significant funding increase will help programs cover growing costs and meet the nationwide demand for programs. Please take two minutes to send a message to Congress in support of afterschool and summer learning programs.