Afterschool Advocacy Week 2021 Resources

Join our Power of 3:00 listserv to receive policy updates and alerts on afterschool, summer, and expanded learning programs.

 

2021 AFTERSCHOOL BUDGET MATERIALS

Refer to these materials to prepare for Advocacy Week and stay informed about what is happening in the afterschool field! Share these resources with your state legislators using the “For Legislators” link.

FOR AFTERSCHOOL ADVOCATE

2021 Afterschool Budget Priorities

Statewide Fiscal Map for Afterschool

Funding Streams Summary for Afterschool

Briefing Packet/Talking Points

FOR LEGISLATORS

Please click on the button to access legislators’ resources. Right click on the button to copy the link to the resources.

Tweet at your State Legislators.

TWEETSTORM EVENT IS ON JANUARY 26 from 3pm-4pm.

Find  your State Assemblymember and Senator Twitter handles here.

SAMPLE TWEETS BELOW.

Today, I am joining @NYSYouthSuccess, supporters, & advocates across New York to elevate the critical impact afterschool programs have on children and families in the state. Find how you can be involved here: https://bit.ly/365cbV0. #EmpowerYouthSuccess Click To Tweet
#Afterschool programs have significant support from New York families. 88% of parents are in favor of public funding to expand access to #afterschool programs. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3iLYpvX. #EmpowerYouthSuccess Click To Tweet
#Quality #afterschool programs are in high-demand. For every child in an afterschool program in New York, there are four more waiting to get in. New York must change this. #EmpowerYouthSuccess Click To Tweet

#Afterschool, summer, and expanded learning programs are essential to achieving high-quality, responsive continuum of care for children. @NYGovCuomo @CarlHeastie @AndreaSCousins, protect afterschool funding in 2021. #EmpowerYouthSuccess Click To Tweet
Afterschool programs are meeting the needs of NY children and families amid COVID-19. Programs need flexibility to continue meeting the needs of children at this critical moment. NY families need to know their kids are safe and cared for. #EmpowerYouthSuccess Click To Tweet
#@NYGovCuomo @CarlHeastie @AndreaSCousins, give kids an advantage and fully fund Advantage After School. 2,500 New York youth cannot afford to lose these crucial programs at a time when they need it most! #EmpowerYouthSuccess Click To Tweet

Email your State Legislators.

Find  your State Assemblymember and Senator information here.

You may use the email script below.

Email Script

Dear Assemblymember/Senator _______,

Amid COVID-19, children, parents, and guardians are counting on effective support from afterschool programs to adapt – school-age children need safe, supervised care, and working families should have a peace of mind knowing that their children are cared for. I am reaching out to urge you to ensure that afterschool programs have all the support they need to adapt and best serve their communities especially at this time.

Please ensure that you:

  • Protect funding for Advantage After School ($33 million), Empire State After-School Programs ($55 million), Extended School Day and School Violence Prevention ($24.3 million), and Youth Development Program ($15.6 million) in 2021.
  • Help afterschool programs respond adequately to New York’s family needs by directing $250,000 to the state afterschool network to sustain the mobilization and coordination of high-quality expanded learning programs 
  • Include budget language that provides flexibility for programs to adapt in times of an emergency and;
  • Dedicate a percentage of new revenue streams to increase access to affordable high-quality afterschool, summer, and expanded learning programs. 

As an afterschool [professional/supporter/advocate], providing flexibility and support for afterschool programs is more important than ever because school-aged children are facing unprecedented learning loss due to COVID-19 complications.

Approximately 80,000 students across every region of the State benefit from high quality, state funded afterschool care every year. These programs need to know that they can continue to provide essential services for children and families with flexibility. They need to know that funding will be maintained and supported as they adapt their programs to keep their participants, families, and staff safe.

 I hope that you will join this effort to support families and afterschool programs in the district.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Call your State Legislators.

Find  your State Assemblymember and Senator information here.

You may use the script below.

Phone Script

Hello,

My name is ______ and I am constituent in your district. I am calling to ask Assemblymember/Senator _______ to urge the State to ensure that afterschool programs have all the support they need to adapt and best serve their communities at this very critical moment.

I am asking the Assemblymember/Senator _______ to ensure that there are no cuts to afterschool funds in 2021, including the Advantage After School Program which the Governor cut by $5 million. I also ask that you direct quality support funds  to help coordinate and mobilize the afterschool field, and provide flexibility in the budget for programs to adapt in times of an emergency like COVID-19. Also, please ensure that any new revenue streams include funds to expand access to afterschool programs in New York. 

This flexibility and continued support for afterschool programs are crucial to continue meeting the safety and needs of school-age children, to support working families, and to keep afterschool programs operational during these unprecedented times.

I hope that the Assemblymember/Senator _______ will join this effort to support families and afterschool programs in the district.

Thank you for your time.