To the editor:
Because of the increase in both parents in the workforce today, nearly 15 million children from grades K-12 go home after school alone with no adult supervision, and without the opportunities to learn. After-school programs not only provide safety but can also provide enrichment and foster healthy relationships for youth and teens. After-school programs provide children with an option to participate in activities that are led and facilitated by the youth themselves, in a supervised area. This lends itself to increased self-esteem, a sense of self worth and quality fun for youth.
A mere 1.3 million children today participate in this type of program. It is vital for the well being of all communities to have an opportunity for all children to participate in such activities without regard to educational need or income level. The state of Maryland received $2 million in January to provide funding for after-school programs. This is in significant contrast to Maine, whose legislature is proposing a mere $500,000 in grant money to provide these services for the entire state. This is not enough money to provide quality programming for our youth.
This is an investment. Our children are worth more. They are the future of America.
After-school programs have proven to provide safety as well as enriching environments for children who may otherwise go home to an empty home. The demand for after-school programs prevails into the 21st century and continues to grow. Research validates the importance of such programs in our communities.
After-school programs provide children a safe place, reduce crime rates and drug use, as well as improve academic performance. Voters agreed by 81percent that there should be some type of organized activity or safe space for children and teens to go after school. In addition, two in three voters said that after-school programs “are an absolute necessity.” Further, mayors from 86 cities reported that only one third of the children needing after-school care were receiving it.
The need for after-school programs is even more acute in rural areas, where funds for social services for children are distributed less. These children are not given the opportunity to participate in such programs.
All children should have the opportunity to be safe and to receive the proven benefits of quality after-school programs. Children deserve an opportunity to have a healthy alternative to an empty house after school. We urge you to contact your state legislators to continue to propose an increase in funding for these programs that are critical for the well being of all children and their families as well as the community at large.
Stacey Frost, LSW and Kathryn O’Connell, MSW, students
University of New England School of Social Work
