Afterschool funding preserved in proposed FY2017 spending bill, still under attack for 2018
Late on the night of April 30, after a weekend of negotiations, the House released a $1.070 trillion omnibus spending bill which will fund the government through September 30, 2017. Votes on the measure are expected this week, as failure to pass a spending bill by the end of the day on Friday, May 5 would lead to a government shutdown.
What's in the bill?
Congress increased 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding by $25 million over the FY2016 level, to $1.19 billion-a win for children, families and the country. The proposed increase means doors to quality local afterschool and summer learning programs will stay open for 1.6 million students and families. Additionally, it will make programs available for 25,000 of the 19.4 million students currently waiting for access.
This increase is especially noteworthy following
President Trump's proposal to eliminate the program in his FY2018 budget preview, which drove friends of afterschool to reach out to Congress with more than 57,000 calls and emails, energized supporters to turn out at town halls in their communities, and prompted more than 1,400 local, state, and national organizations to sign a letter in support of Community Learning Centers. Champions of the program on Capitol Hill showed strong support for Community Learning Centers as well, with 81 members of the House coming together across party lines and signing a letter in support of the program. A huge thank-you to all who worked so hard in support of Community Learning Center funds.
Though Community Learning Centers see increased funding in this year's bill, our field must not stop speaking out. We need afterschool supporters to make your voices heard as Congress begins looking to FY2018, the year when President Trump wants to eliminate funding altogether. With your help, we'll continue seeing wins like the one we're celebrating today for America's kids and families.
What comes next?
The House Rules Committee is meeting on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. and the bill could come to the House floor for a vote as early as Wednesday, May 3. The Senate would follow with votes in anticipation of passing the fiscal year 2017 spending bill before the continuing resolution expires this Friday night, May 5.
ACTION NEEDED
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ACTION: Ask Your Congressmen to Support the 21st CCLC Program
The Ask: Reach out to your Congressmen TODAY and ask them to support the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Program in the proposed FY2017 spending bill.
The Why: After a weekend of negotiations, the U.S. House released a proposed FY2017 spending bill which will fund the government through September 30, 2017. The proposed FY2017 spending bill includes an increase of $25 million in 21st CCLC funding to $1.19 billion nationally. This is great news for the nearly two million children - and 20,000 in Indiana - that rely on 21st CCLC for high-quality out-of-school time programs.
Votes are expected as early as TOMORROW, May 3rd given that the failure to pass a spending bill by the end of the day on Friday, May 5th would result in a government shutdown. The proposed increase in funding is particularly great news given President Trump's proposed elimination of 21st CCLC in next year's budget (FY2018). Thanks to all of you who have reached out in support of 21st CCLC and made a difference!
The Message:
Please support the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Program, the only federal funding for afterschool, before school, and summer learning programs, in the FY17 omnibus spending bill (H.R. 244). The 21st CCLC Program provides nearly two million children - and 20,000 in Indiana - with high quality afterschool, before school, and summer learning programs that help put them on a path to success in college, career, and life. Thank you for your service and for your leadership for the children of Indiana.
Want to read more about the appropriations process and the impact of the proposed FY2017 spending bill on afterschool? Check out the Afterschool Alliance's blog post HERE.
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Other funding streams that can be used to support afterschool and summer learning programs were largely supported in the proposed omnibus (FY2017):
- Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG): $95 million increase up to $2.9 billion. Typically about one-third of children served through CCDBG are provided with school-age afterschool care. This funding builds on the consistent funding increases in recent years to help states implement quality improvement reforms in the CCDBG Act of 2014.
- Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS): AmeriCorps and VISTA are funded at last year's level. In addition, the bill includes expanded resources for state commissions to build the capacity of national and community service programs at the local level. AmeriCorps and VISTA positons can be used to support afterschool programs.
- Full Service Community Schools: $10 million, level with last year's funding. FSCS grants support community schools and often leverage afterschool and summer learning supports.
- Title I: $15.5 billion, a $550 million increase above FY2016. Title I funds can be used to support school district-provided afterschool and summer learning programs.
- Title IV Part A Student Support Academic Enrichment Grants: Funded at $400 million, an increase of $122 million over the total for the consolidated programs in 2016 but less than the $1.65 billion authorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015. These grants were changed so that states will offer them competitively to districts rather than as formula grants, as originally authored in ESSA. Afterschool STEM is an allowable use of the grants, as are physical education, community school coordinators, and a wide range of mental health supports and education technology.
- National Science Foundation (NSF): The legislation funds NSF at $7.5 billion-$9 million above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. NSF targets funding to programs that foster innovation and U.S. economic competitiveness, including funding for research on advanced manufacturing, physics, mathematics, cybersecurity, neuroscience and STEM education.
- Youth Mentoring Initiative: $80 million decreased by $10 million from FY2016. These grants funds support mentoring initiatives for young people in and out of school.
- Perkins/Career Technical Education: Funded at $1.135 billion, an increase of $10 million, to support older youth career and workforce readiness education.
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Contact Information for Indiana US Legislators
US Congress
Identify your district HERE.
(click on web link below to access email contact form)
Visclosky, Peter (D-1)
DC 202-225-2461
Merrillville (219) 795-1844
Walorski, Jackie (R-2)
DC 202-225-3915
Mishawaka (574) 204-2645
Rochester (574) 223-4373
Banks, Jim (R-3)
DC 202-225-4436
Fort Wayne 260-702-4750
Rokita, Todd (R-4)
DC 202-225-5037
Lafayette 765-838-3930
Danville 317-718-0404
Brooks, Susan W. (R-5)
DC 202-225-2276
Carmel 317-848-0201
Anderson 765-640-5115
Messer, Luke (R-6)
DC 202-225-3021
Muncie 765-747-5566
Richmond 765-962-2883
Shelbyville 317-421-0704
Carson, André (D-7)
DC 202-225-4011
Indianapolis 317-283-6516
Bucshon, Larry (R-8)
DC 202-225-4636
Evansville 812-465-6484
Terre Haute 812-232-0523
Hollingsworth, Trey (R-9)
DC 202-225-5315
Jeffersonville 812-288-3999
US Senate
Donnelly, Joe (D - IN)
https://www.donnelly.senate.gov
720 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
DC (202) 224-4814
Evansville (812) 425-5813
Fort Wayne (260) 420-4955
Hammond (219) 852-0089
Indianapolis (317) 226-5555
Jeffersonville (812) 284-2027
South Bend (574) 288-2780
Young, Todd (R - IN)
400 Russell Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
THANK YOU, for continuing to share your stories of impact with policymakers.
And, thank you for all you do to make Indiana a better place for youth and families!
Stay tuned to the
Afterschool Network on
Facebook and Twitter for up to the minute updates.
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