State agency budget targets will be set this week in the final revenue-estimating conference.  After that, the final details of the state budget for fiscal year 2013 will be decided at any time, with discrepancies between the House and Senate budget bills to be ironed out in conference committees.  Funding for before- and after-school pilot programs will be up for debate as a result of differences between the House and Senate bills.  The House reinstated $5 million for the programs, but the Senate failed to include any funding.

NOW is the time to contact your legislator and urge them to support the House-passed $5million for before- and after-school pilot programs. Ask your legislator to champion this issue with their colleagues on the Conference Committee who will be debating the Human Services budget, which includes this important issue.  If your legislator is on the Conference Committee (see list below), it is even more critical that your voice must be heard!

High quality before- and after-school programs have been shown to improve school attendance and achievement, and to reduce youth violence and other risky behaviors.  Funding authority for before- and after-school programs was reduced from $16 million in FY 2001 to $5 million in FY 2005 through 2009.  From that time, funding continued to be reduced until it was ultimately eliminated in the fiscal year 2012 budget.

Read this Action Alert to learn how you can support extended learning opportunities!