Earlier today Governor Malloy released his proposed budget adjustments for the next two years starting July 1. The state is facing a huge budget deficit of $3.6 billion in the next two years, and the Governor’s proposal includes many proposals to begin to address these problems.

What does this mean for after school funding?

The Governor’s proposal (at the top of page B-70) eliminates four important programs (After School Grants, Family Resources Centers, Neighborhood Youth Centers and Young Parents Program) combining them into a single Student Support Service grant with half the total funding. No details about the new proposed grant have been released yet, but we know that the state After School Grant would be entirely eliminated. People who care about state funding for after school and summer programs will have to make their voices heard loud and clear if it is to survive.

Here’s how you can help: 

1. Sign the Petition, and get others to sign on too! Here’s the link: https://actionsprout.io/65A818/initial
2. Contact your legislators and express your concern about after school grant funding. Find your legislators here: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/CGAFindLeg.asp

   Tell them: “Please fight for full funding in a separate line item for the state After School Grants in the Department of Education budget.”

   It helps if you can send the Network an email afterwards (or bcc if you email them) so that we can track which legislators are being reached – mdc@ctafterschoolnetwork.org
3. Write testimony (and urge parents and other too as well!) about how the elimination of these programs will impact you and the children and families you serve. Include at least one anecdote or example of how it has specifically helped. For formatting, please see examples from past years on-line here: http://ctafterschoolnetwork.org/advocacy-2/   You can address it to the three co-chairs of the Appopriations Committee, Sen. Catherine Osten, Sen. Paul Formica and Rep. Toni Walker. No later than 1 pm on 2/21, email written testimony in Word or PDF format to APPtestimony@cga.ct.gov and copy the Network (mdc@ctafterschoolnetwork.org) on the email.
4. Speak directly to the Appropriations at the 2/21 Public Hearing. The public hearing starts at 4 pm and will run until very late, and it would be great if we had lots of people willing to tell their afterschool success story (up to 3 minutes). Email mdc@ctafterschoolnetwork.org with your name and organization if you want us to sign you up to speak, or call Michelle if you have questions (860-794-4978).
5. Help kids (and parents too!) draw pictures and write letters about why they love after school using the Afterschool Alliance’s new toolkit (more info here). Share the results widely with social media and in print.

Now is the time to act!