JOBS, EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE COMMITTEE

SUPPORTING HIGH QUALITY AFTER-SCHOOL AND OUT-OF SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS

WHEREAS, affordable, accessible, and high-quality after-school programming is essential for all families; and

WHEREAS, ensuring access to high-quality after-school programming for school-age children and their families increasing is becoming a priority at the local, state, and national levels; and

WHEREAS, studies have found that children who attend quality after-school programs have better peer relations, emotional adjustment, and conduct in school compared to their peers who are not in programs; and

WHEREAS, after-school programming promotes and enhances learning, protects children, reduces juvenile delinquency, and provides support for working families,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors strongly encourages the federal government to increase its investment in community-based after-school programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors requests that funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Center program, which supports community efforts to expand after-school programming, should be increased to $1 billion as proposed by President Clinton in his FY 2001 budget.