Time To Act: Help Stop the Elimination of Federal Funding for Afterschool

The Ask: Reach out to your US Congressional representative TODAY and ask them to support the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Program.

The Why: President Trump's proposed budget eliminates funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, the only dedicated federal funding for afterschool, before school, and summer learning. It's now up to Congress to counter the cut-or eliminate 21st CCLC thereby getting rid of programs relied on by families across the nation to keep kids safe and engaged.

If enacted, nearly two million children - and 20,000 in Indiana - would lose access to the high quality afterschool, before school, and summer learning programs they need. Fortunately, the president's proposal faces hurdles in Congress, but your lawmakers need to hear from you! Reach out to your Congressmen TODAY to let them know that these programs are vital to our state.

The ACTION:
  • MOST IMPACTFUL: Call and/or write directly to your representative.  Messaging and contact info BELOW.
  • Do you represent a local, state or national organization?  You can make an even bigger impact by signing the Afterschool Alliance letter of support 
    HERE  
  • TWO MINUTE ADVOCACY: Use the Afterschool Alliance action template to add your voice to the outreach to Congress HERE
  • Looking for more evidence about the robust research on the benefits of 21st CCLC? Check out the  Afterschool Alliance's blog post.

messaging
Messaging: Contact Congress Today!
 
Paste the message below into the contact box provided when you visit the Congressman's website below. 

Or better yet, call their offices and leave a message with their aid!  

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 FY18 and final FY17 budgets. If eliminated, nearly two million children - and 20,000 in Indiana - would lose access to the high quality afterschool, before school, and summer learning programs that help put them on a path to success in college, career, and life.

The evidence is clear: 21st Century Community Learning Centers across the country help our students reach their full potential.
  • INDIANA 21CCLC EVIDENCE: Indiana University's 2014-2015 study of afterschool programs serving 20,531 (K-12) students showed the following results: 
    • Students who attend Indiana programs for 60 days or longer have higher grades and higher passage rates for ISTEP+ (the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus exam). 
    • Among teachers of Indiana students participating in programs: 
      • 70% reported that students improved their academic performance 
      • 69% reported an improvement in completing homework to teacher's satisfaction 
      • 66% reported an improvement in turning in homework on time
         
  • Each dollar invested in afterschool saves up to $9 by increasing young people's learning potential, improving student performance in school, and reducing crime and welfare costs. (source link)
     
  • FURTHER EVIDENCE: Find a wealth of information within Expanding Minds and Opportunities: Leveraging the Power of Afterschool and Summer Learning for Student Success, a compendium of studies, reports and commentaries by more than 100 thought leaders.
Thank you for your service and for your leadership for the children of Indiana.


Not sure who your representative is? Find out here:  http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

legcontacts
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

DC (202) 224-5623
New Albany (812) 542-4820
Indianapolis (317) 226-6700
www.young.senate.gov/content/contact-senator 

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.

Indiana Afterschool Network

Vision: Indiana is a place where all K-12 youth have  access to high quality learning opportunities beyond the school day that  prepare them for success in school, college, careers, and life.

Mission: We are a nonprofit organization that champions afterschool and summer  learning by inspiring, empowering and connecting youth workers, partners  and advocates at the state and local levels.

445 N Pennsylvania St.  
Suite 945  
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 822-8211