MAP - Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership

Policy Update

July 2008 - The Budget is In!

Success! The legislative state budget for FY 2009 has increased the After School and Out-of-School Time Quality (ASOST) grant from $2 million to $5.55 million at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. In addition, the Youth Violence Prevention grant at the Department of Public Health was increased to $3.5 million. This success is due to all of your hard work and the commitment of our legislative partners. These significant increases will make such a difference for the children and youth of Massachusetts. We thank you, and please thank your legislators for their support of these important programs. We should all be proud of our efforts.

More news to come on the full details of the budget. Thank you again for all of your support!

- Gwynn Hughes, Executive Director
Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership (MAP)

Recent Policy Initiatives

· Achieved New Afterschool Funding. MAP has successfully impacted statewide policy through the state budget, including working with the Legislature to establish and expand the After School and Out-of-School Time (ASOST) Grant. As a result of an ever-growing grassroots movement, the House of Representatives and the Senate have both proposed significant increases in this grant in the FY2009 state budget proposals. The allocation of $5.55 million represents more than a 150% increase from the $2 million FY2008 allocation and demonstrates Massachusetts’ continuing commitment to improving quality, increasing program capacity, and supporting community-school partnerships benefiting children and youth after school.

· Supported the After School and Out-of-School Time Commission. Created by the Massachusetts Legislature, the After School and Out-of-School Time Commission completed a thorough study and analysis of out-of-school time programming in 2007 and made various recommendations for the field. The Commission’s recommendations addressed five categories: increasing public awareness, providing information and increasing access, promoting quality programs and a quality workforce, fostering partnerships and collaborations, and sustaining the effort. Additionally, the Commission recommended the establishment of a statewide Afterschool and Out-of-School Time Public/Private Coordinating Council.

· Contributed to the Governor’s Summit on Afterschool & Extended Learning. In collaboration with the Governor’s Office, MAP supported the first-ever Governor’s Summit on Afterschool & Extended Learning held in May 2006. With opening remarks led by the Governor and an afternoon dialogue moderated by the Lieutenant Governor, Commissioners from both the Department of Education and the Department of Early Education and Care, community leaders, funders, providers and other stakeholders discussed the need for high quality afterschool programs for children and youth.