1. Making the Case for Afterschool
Tools, Resources and Techniques to Build Financial, Political and Community Support for your Program
Afterschool Alliance

2. What We’ll Cover Making the Case:
Public Wants & Needs Afterschool
Afterschool Outcomes
Benefits to Bottom Line
Policy Matters: Funding & Resources for Afterschool
National
State and Local
What You Can Do: Events, Media & More

3. The Need Is Clear
Parents of 28 million kids work outside the home.
14.3 million, or 25%, of the country’s K-12 youth take care of themselves after school.
3 to 6 p.m. are the most dangerous hours for kids.
Juvenile crime soars
Peak hours for drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and sex
Lack of physical activity/obesity
Parents of 15 million children would sign up for an afterschool program – if one were available.
We have state by state from this report, America After 3pm, on our web site
Almost 43,000 kindergarten children
1.3 million elementary school students
6 million h.s. students

4. Demand for Afterschool Programs
83% of voters agree – children need a place to go afterschool that is organized, safe, and educational
76% - newly elected officials in Congress should increase funding for afterschool
69% of voters - support tax increase
94% Democrats, 83% Independents, 71% Republicans – there’s a need for an organized, safe place for children and teens afterschool
Virginia data: Similar poll in 2004 – intensity of support has increased dramatically – same has not been true for any other issue. Note the tax increase – aren’t many issues that voters will support a tax hike for.
Source: Afterschool Alliance Poll conducted by Lake, Snell, Perry & Associates, Inc., November 2006 and 2008

5. Benefits of Quality Afterschool Programs
Improved Test Scores and Grades
21st CCLC participants nationwide—43% improved reading scores, 42% improved math scores
In California, higher academic achievement, test scores
In Ohio, higher scores in every subject tested
Oct 2007 study – big gains in test scores, work habits
Improved School Attendance, Engagement in Learning
More likely to come to school, stay in school and graduate
In NY, higher daily attendance and credit accumulation
In Chicago, higher class attendance, lower course failure,
higher graduation rates
Los Angeles program reduced drop out rate by 20%
Vandell, Reisner Pierce data – study following 3,000 low income students – those who participated in high quality programs showed increases on test scores
Researchers estimate that each high school dropout costs society at large about $209,000 over the course of his or her lifetime (Levin, Belfield, Muennig, & Rouse, 2007).
LA’s best – longitudinal studies – they track kids through high school – benefits of the program seem to go well beyond the time period in which they participate – 20% less likely to drop out of school
SACC- Ohio Urban School Initiative School Age Child Care Project, students at greatest risk show greatest gains

6. Benefits of Quality Afterschool Programs
Improved Social and Emotional Behavior
Lower truancy, drug use, violence teen pregnancy
Greater self-confidence
Develop leadership, critical thinking, team-building skills
Improved Health and Wellness
Structured physical activities, healthy snacks help prevent weight gain tied to inactivity after school and during summer

7. Benefits to Bottom Line
Rose Institute
Every dollar invested in afterschool programs saves taxpayers at least $3
Catalyst Study (December 2006)
New Catalyst Study - $50-$300 billion/year due to lost productivity
PCAST – Parental Concern about Afterschool Time
Low-income and minority parents are much more likely than higher-income, white parents to have trouble finding high-quality, convenient and affordable programs.
Corporate Voices for Working Families
“After School For All: A Call To Action From The Business Community”
Rose Institute -
60 percent of U.S. manufacturing companies surveyed said that high school graduates were poorly prepared for entry-level jobs (National Association of Manufacturers, 2005).
Catalyst (expands opportunities for women in business) Study – Afterschool Worries: Tough on Parents, bad for Business: PCAST affects 1/3 of labor force -
Corporate Voices study: Helps develop future workforce, Helps alleviate stress for current workforce, More productive; Fewer absences, Job promotion and retention.
Families below the federal poverty level spend an avg of 23% of monthly income on childcare.
Rose Institute Study: Every dollar invested in AS programs saves taxpayers at least $3 (those are non-crime benefits. Including incarceration rates/juvenile detention/welfare…with those it’s more like savings of $12 for every $1 spent)
Programs reduce grade retention, better school attendance/higher achievement, crime prevention/reduction

8. Who’s Doing What

9. Federal Afterschool PolicyFY
Amount Appropriated
Amount Called for in NCLB
2002
$1 billion
$1.25 billion
2003
$993.5M
$1.5 billion
2004
$991M
$1.75 billion
2005
$2 billion
2006
$981M
$2.25 billion
2007
$2.5 billion
2008
$1.1 B
Federal Funding Picture
21st Century Community Learning Centers $100 million increase for FY08
Senate proposed level funding, House proposed increase of $50 million
NCLB authorized $2.5 billion
Other sources of afterschool money: CCDBG, Safe and Drug Free Schools, OJJDP, SES, Department of Agriculture
New Initiatives: Rural Afterschool and Afterschool for Older Youth
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Appropriations – Senate also proposed $75 million increase for CCDBG, House proposed $55 million for CCDBG
CCDBG – Child Care and Development Block Grants (Child Care Development Fund) – HHS – level funded in 08
DOA – Department of Agriculture – simplified summer food nutrition program, child and adult care food program
OJJDP – office of juvenile justice and delinquency prevention
New Supplemental Education Services (SES) and 21st CCLC initiative - the High-Quality Supplemental Educational Services and After-School Partnerships Demonstration, intended to encourage new or expanded partnerships between SES programs and 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21stCCLC)

10. State Afterschool Policy
States Take on Afterschool Challenge
38 Statewide networks working to build supportive afterschool systems
26 Governors held Afterschool Summits
50 Governors’ Proclamations for Lights On Afterschool
Creative and Diverse Ways to Fund Afterschool
State networks – can help educate quality programs about patchwork of funding
Showcase quality
Provide needed TA
Opportunities to interact with other state networks.
Governer’s Summits – 4 more held in 08 - DE, MN, OK and AR
Lights On support through proclaiming Lights On day

11. States & Afterschool in ‘07 and ‘08
CA – $550 million to K-8 programs - ASES
WV – Partnership between Americorps, Universities, DOE
GA – $14 million to school- and community- based afterschool programs through TANF, renewed for FY09, plus $20.3 million in one-time funds
MA – $5.5 million in state funding
NJ – $14.6 million in state funds to NJ After 3 PM
OH – $10 million in TANF funds to support afterschool programs in targeted communities
TN – $12.5 million unclaimed lottery funds (LEAP)
MN – $5+ million over two years
NY – $9.4 million through a mix of state and TANF funds
WA – $3 million for programs and professional development
CT – $5.5 million in new state funds
OH – able to use TANF funds
TN – unclaimed lottery winnings
MN - This was helped by a challenge grant offered to Minnesota by the McKnight Foundation in Minneapolis. The Foundation offered to provide $1.5 million if the legislature would appropriate $5 million each year.
IA - $1M for funding new programs from three different sections of budget. Legislature also approved a $3M fund to support services and programs to help students matriculate with their peers. Advocates think afterschool programs will be eligible strategies for these funds.
This work done by advocates, but also by people in the field

13. What You Can Do

14. Making Afterschool a National Priority
Nationally: Need a strong, broad diverse coalition of organizations & individuals to champion afterschool for all
Afterschool for All Campaign
160+ Lights On national partners
Afterschool for All Challenge
Business stakeholder groups
Coordinate advocacy and awareness work with allies who support expansion of afterschool, e.g., YMCA, PTA. Especially on federal legislation
Share knowledge with those with common interests: e.g. literacy, health, service learning
State-Level: Need capable, influential networks to push for expansion and support quality afterschool
Mott funded state networks
Work with state agencies
Identify new funding streams for afterschool
Provide technical assistance to state level advocacy
Support Governor's Summits
Train/develop state leadership
Media strategy
Support intermediaries
Community-Level: Need active, diverse, confident field of local programs, stakeholders & supports
Systems approach
Communications & advocacy training and tools
Policymaker & opinion leader engagement
Parent & grassroots empowerment
Develop steady streams of resources and provide updates, information and best practices
Connect community efforts on local wellness policies for youth
7,000 local Lights On sites
Community-school partnerships
Nationally: Build a broad coalition of organizations and individuals who champion afterschool.. activities include Advancing Afterschool 2010, Lights On national partners, the Afterschool Leadership Council and other coordinated advocacy and awareness work among those several national organizations who support expansion of afterschool... State: Build strong networks to push for expansion of and support for quality afterschool at the state level. activities include supporting the Mott funded state networks, providing resources for SEA's, identifying new funding streams for afterschool under state control, working with ATAC, working with the upcoming Governor's Summits.. Community: Build advocacy and awareness capability of local programs with special emphasis on sustainability. activities include Afterschool Ambassador program, training and tools to programs on communications and advocacy, suggested activities for Lights On, updates and alerts to programs on legislative decisions, updates and training on new funding sources such as Supplemental Educational Services... Nationally: Build a broad coalition of organizations and individuals who champion afterschool.. activities include Advancing Afterschool 2010, Lights On national partners, the Afterschool Leadership Council and other coordinated advocacy and awareness work among those several national organizations who support expansion of afterschool... State: Build strong networks to push for expansion of and support for quality afterschool at the state level. activities include supporting the Mott funded state networks, providing resources for SEA's, identifying new funding streams for afterschool under state control, working with ATAC, working with the upcoming Governor's Summits.. Community: Build advocacy and awareness capability of local programs with special emphasis on sustainability. activities include Afterschool Ambassador program, training and tools to programs on communications and advocacy, suggested activities for Lights On, updates and alerts to programs on legislative decisions, updates and training on new funding sources such as Supplemental Educational Services... In the background is an effort to have a constant drumbeat to place the concept of afterschool firmly in the public mind through the PSA campaign and media outreach.  And to help wrap this together are two annual milestone events: 1) the Afterschool Challenge to bring national policy maker focus on afterschool in May 2) Lights On Afterschool in October Nationally: Build a broad coalition of organizations and individuals who champion afterschool.. activities include Advancing Afterschool 2010, Lights On national partners, the Afterschool Leadership Council and other coordinated advocacy and awareness work among those several national organizations who support expansion of afterschool... State: Build strong networks to push for expansion of and support for quality afterschool at the state level. activities include supporting the Mott funded state networks, providing resources for SEA's, identifying new funding streams for afterschool under state control, working with ATAC, working with the upcoming Governor's Summits.. Community: Build advocacy and awareness capability of local programs with special emphasis on sustainability. activities include Afterschool Ambassador program, training and tools to programs on communications and advocacy, suggested activities for Lights On, updates and alerts to programs on legislative decisions, updates and training on new funding sources such as Supplemental Educational Services... In the background is an effort to have a constant drumbeat to place the concept of afterschool firmly in the public mind through the PSA campaign and media outreach.  And to help wrap this together are two annual milestone events: 1) the Afterschool Challenge to bring national policy maker focus on afterschool in May 2) Lights On Afterschool in October

15. Know Your Allies Afterschool Providers
House & Senate Afterschool Caucuses
CEOs, Police Chiefs, District Attorneys, Parents and more
Youth
State and citywide leaders
Caucus: Look and see if they’re in the caucus. If they aren’t, this can be an opening for a relationship with them.
Youth: showcase their talents – the young people in afterschool programs are really what convinces policy makers/community members of the value of your program
Afterschool for All: Look at our website to see who has signed on in your community – seek them out to partner with. Do a sign on drive to begin conversations with people about the importance of afterschool

16. Use Events to Boost Profile, Build Relationships
Generate Media Coverage
Make Afterschool An Election Year Issue
Contact Congress
Tap Afterschool for All campaign
Position your program and
issues du jour
Plagiarize freely – we have sample site visit plans, resources for connecting to policy makers all on our website.

17. Arrange a Site Visit
Ask your Members of Congress, local policy makers and media to visit your afterschool program: Help your elected officials and your community establish a personal connection to afterschool by inviting them to visit a program and see firsthand how it is helping kids and families
Find the home district address and phone number for your elected officials.
Identify a few dates during the next Congressional recess when you could host a tour of your program.
Call the district office.
Before the visit: Identify youth, parents, program staff, school officials and community partners who would be convincing spokespeople for your program.
What to do the day of the visit.

18. Ten Steps to Media Coverage
Create a Media List.
Invite the Public.
Identify your 2-3 key messages.
Structure events with media in mind.
Appeal to the press, build relationships.
Issue news releases.
Develop press kits.
Manage media at your events.
Event management.
Reap the benefits of your work!
Alliance website info includes media timeline, contacts, etc.
You can generate a list of your local media outlets on our website -
Invite media for a specific event – not just any old thing.
Create a one-pager about your organization.

19. Additional Media Strategies
Newspaper Opinion Page
Contact with radio and TV stations to promote your programs via public service announcements.
Radio ads in English and Spanish (culturally relevant, not just translations)
We’ll work with you to help get these placed in your communities.

20. October 22, 2009

21. Lights On Afterschool! Annual nationwide event
Brings attention to the need for afterschool programs and resources
7,500+ events and 1 million Americans nationwide
National Chair Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger; Kevin Sorbo and Rhea Perlman as spokespeople
Thousands of newspaper & TV stories
Build relationships w/ business community, neighborhood leaders, elected officials
Use something you’re already planning to do and just label it/register it as a Lights On event so that you can be part of the national network and so that we can send you resources and direct politicians to attend

22. Afterschool & Elections
Get afterschool on the radar of policy makers and candidates
Learn the rules of non-profit lobbying
Present a Candidate Kit to those running for office in your community
Includes materials on latest afterschool research and outcomes, polling data and needs assessments
Use the Campaign Kit during an election year to raise awareness about the need for afterschool
Includes materials for reaching out to media, community partners and policy makers
Provides actions for varying tiers of election involvement – you don’t have to run a full
campaign!

23. Contact Congress Call, write or email Meet district staff
Afterschool for All Challenge
Premier afterschool event in the nation’s capital
Honoring leaders in Congress and in the States
Let Members of Congress hear from you and your youth about afterschool
Two-day advocacy and training opportunity
Youth, providers, advocates, community leaders to talk to Members of Congress about the importance of afterschool

24. Afterschool for All
Show your support for afterschool programs and what they do for our children, families and communities
Register your support & be recognized by Afterschool for All campaign
Thousands of leaders, organizations and businesses already on board
Sign up at
Eight states are launching their own Afterschool for All campaigns to build support for afterschool in their communities.  State networks are using the campaign to accomplish a number of goals including:
Growing their database of parent supporters
Building relationships with grass-top leaders
Strengthening  grassroots advocacy efforts
Increasing inter-organizational collaboration;
Increasing their visibility in the community
Last year, 5 Afterschool for All state campaigns recruited more than 7,000 partners for afterschool.  This year, advocates are setting new goals to reach the milestone of 28,000 partners for afterschool.
FYI—there are A4A campaigns in FL, GA, SC, NH, OR, IA and coming soon to AZ, KS, WY

25. Afterschool Alliance Resources
Facts & Research
Subscribe to the Afterschool Advocate
Program Toolbox – Funding, Media & Reaching Policy Makers
Policy & Action Center

26. Field Outreach Coordinator Afterschool Alliance 202-347-2030
Rivka Burstein-Stern
Field Outreach Coordinator
Afterschool Alliance