2004 Adopted Resolutions
72nd Annual Meeting
Boston

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INCREASE THE NATIONAL INVESTMENT IN AND EXPAND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

WHEREAS, access to high quality, safe and enriching after-school and out-of-school programs for children and youth continues to be a priority for mayors; and

WHEREAS, after-school programs promote cognitive learning, enhances the physical, social, emotional and moral development of youth, and provides a means to reduce the risk of youth involvement in crime, violence, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy and gangs; and

WHEREAS, affordable, accessible, and high quality after-school and out-of-school programs are necessary if we are to achieve the goals of No Child Left Behind; and

WHEREAS, 91 percent of parents with children in after-school programs are extremely or somewhat satisfied with the programs and thus significant public support; and

WHEREAS, 14.3 million Kindergarten through 12th graders take care of themselves after the school day ends which translates to 1 in 4 school-age children being unsupervised; and

WHEREAS, only 6.5 million children or 11 percent of the nation’s youth are enrolled in after-school programs which is only 1 in 9 students enrolled in grades K-12; and

WHEREAS, parents of another 15.3 million or 30 percent of the children say they would have their child participate if there was a program available,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors urges the federal, state and local governments to increase their investment in community-based after-school and out-of-school programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors calls on Congress to increase the level of funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program to its authorized level of $2 billion in fiscal year 2005; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors encourages Mayors across the country to sign on as a partner with the Afterschool for All:  Project 2010 to increase funding and participation in these programs, and that all children have an opportunity to participate by the year 2010.