October 22-28, 2023: Lights on Afterschool Week

WHEREAS, the residents of the state of Michigan are committed to quality afterschool programs and opportunities; and,

WHEREAS, afterschool programs provide safe, challenging, and engaging learning experiences that help children develop social, emotional, physical, and academic skills; and,

WHEREAS, after the regular school day ends, working families use afterschool programs to ensure their children are safe and productive; and,

WHEREAS, these programs build stronger communities by involving students, parents, business leaders, and adult volunteers in the lives of young people, thereby promoting positive relationships among youth, families, and adults; and,

WHEREAS, when families, schools, and community partners promote and encourage afterschool programs, they are supporting new experiences and opportunities that help young people learn, grow, and realize their full potential and,

WHEREAS, the State of Michigan has provided significant leadership in the area of afterschool programs to support the education and well-being of our youth, including record investments to expand access to additional afterschool learning support; and,

WHEREAS, Lights On Afterschool, the national celebration of afterschool programs, held this year on October 22-28, 2023 promotes the importance of quality afterschool programs in the lives of children, families, and communities; and,

WHEREAS, 25 million families report that they would enroll their child in an afterschool program if one is available; for every child in a program, four are waiting to get in; and, 

WHEREAS, many afterschool programs across the country are facing operating challenges so severe that they are forced to consider closing their doors and turning off their lights; and,

WHEREAS, the Michigan Afterschool Partnership is committed to investing in the health and safety of all young people by providing expanded learning opportunities that help our children learn and grow while helping them develop the skills essential for success in life and work;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 22-28, 2023, as Lights on Afterschool Week in Michigan.

State of Michigan Certificate of Proclamation- Lights on Afterschool Week

MASP Mi-LEAP Recommendations

Michigan has provided funding for Out-of-School Time (OST) for the past three fiscal years. These investments have marked a significant improvement in opportunities for youth participating in before, afterschool, and summer learning programs.

We are still compiling the numbers from the FY 23 investment of $25 million; however, we know that the first $10 million state investment provided OST programming to 50,000 youth statewide.

As the Governor’s administration moves to create a new department that prioritizes OST, it is the hope of MASP that we systematically build upon the lessons learned, relationships built, and constructive work that has been completed with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and policymakers over the past three years.

With that in mind, a list of recommendations was submitted this week to Governor Whitmer's team that MASP hopes will be considered as OST is incorporated into the new Department of Lifelong Education Advancement and Potential (Mi-LEAP).

MASP Mi-LEAP Recommendations

Governor creates new department focused on early and higher learning

Governor Whitmer signed an executive order today creating the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential - or MiLEAP - that will focus on early and higher learning, including out-of-school time programming.

MASP celebrated the new department that will support youth opportunity and growth, having a positive impact for generations to come.

“Out-of-school time programs across Michigan provide critical educational opportunities for our state’s youth – this new department’s focus on unlocking our children’s potential will deliver more and better of these opportunities statewide,” said Erin Skene-Pratt, executive director of the Michigan Afterschool Partnership. “Before and after school programs and summer learning offerings are important for student success, so fitting this work together in Mi-LEAP with early childhood through post-secondary attainment is a smart, strategic step that will benefit Michigan’s youth.” 

More information will be shared as the department takes shape.

Historic investment in Youth & OST

Last night, legislators completed the Fiscal Year 2024 state budget which included a milestone investment in OST programs. The $50 million appropriation will increase youth access to before, afterschool and summer learning opportunities. This funding is a direct result of your advocacy efforts!

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) will develop a competitive grant process to distribute the funds. Nonprofits, libraries, parks and recreation departments, institutes of higher education and intermediate school districts will again be eligible to apply. MASP, with support from the National Equity Project, will collaborate with MDE on an advisory group to inform grant development, review and award. The advisory group will meet quarterly. Members of the advisory group shall include, but not necessarily limited to, community based organizations, regional intermediaries, local school district administrators, statewide OST organizations, youth, parents, representatives from business community and philanthropic community. More information will be available soon.

The budget now heads to Gov. Whitmer's desk for her signature.

$5o Million Included In Legislative Budgets

Both the Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate passed their respective budget today, each of the budgets include $50 Million to support youth access to out-of-school time programs. The budgets also include legislative language proposed by MASP that creates a Michigan out-of-school time council, appointed by the Governor, to provide a statewide strategy for funding of out-of-school time programs.

A Strong Start, But More Is Needed

State leaders recently allocated $25 million of new funding to afterschool programs in Michigan. It’s a good beginning, but more help is needed—and FAST.

Today’s youth are working to heal from the traumatic academic, personal, and social impacts of COVID-19. Extended learning time is essential to reconnect students with their learning and communities in ways that matter most. It’s precisely this kind of initiative that federal COVID relief funds are designed to support.

An additional $75 million in state funding is required to ensure afterschool programs can meet the needs of the more than 751,000 Michigan youth who are now waiting to access these essential learning opportunities.

  • Sufficient funding must be specifically appropriated through a dedicated line item that specifically names community-based programs as recipients and/or district partners.

  • Failure to invest properly today will result in a generation of learners that has been inadequately supported as they seek to achieve their personal and professional ambitions. It is our shared responsibility to ensure the youth of today have adequate preparation and timely access to the opportunities they most wish to pursue. Afterschool and summer learning deliver strong results on both counts.

Up Next: The FY 2023 State Budget

As the new state budget begins to take shape, Michigan families have every reason to be optimistic about the inclusion of dedicated funds for community-based out of school time programming. The Governor’s proposed budget included $50 million in general fund money for this essential programming, and the House-introduced budget contained similar levels of support.

While the Senate’s early language was silent on the topic, we have assurances from lawmakers that support will ultimately be included.

At MASP, we’re making sure all our state’s policy leaders understand the value of afterschool and summer programming, particularly when it comes to helping Michigan children bounce back from COVID-19 learning interruptions. Our advocacy efforts are reaching new levels of effectiveness, particularly as we build stronger understanding of the fact that $50 million should be a floor, not a ceiling. We know at least double that amount is going to be required to ensure every Michigan student that wants to access an afterschool or summer program can do so.

What's Next for OST Funding in Michigan?

(July 13, 2021)

Despite the Michigan Legislature's success in adopting a sizable School Aid budget for schools recently, the state's community-based OST providers remain concerned about the lack of progress toward a sustainable funding solution for their work.

While we know there is strong interest in ensuring adequate funding for these programs among numerous key policy leaders, the School Aid budget didn't include a specific line item in support of local OST providers. At this time, the best hope for appropriations may yet remain in the allocation of federal COVID-19 relief monies.

MASP remains vocal in its support of OST funding, given its importance to urgently-needed social and emotional support for Michigan's children and teens. As our state's youngest residents continue to heal from the trauma they experienced during COVID-19, community-based OST providers offer valuable insights and supportive experiences that ensure each child's long-term well-being.

State Funding for Out-of-School Time in FY 2021-22

(February 11, 2021)

Thanks to all of your advocacy efforts, Governor Whitmer’s budget recommendation for FY 2021-22 calls for:

  • $120 million of out-of-school time funding to provide opportunities in 2021 and 2022 for students through summer learning, after school learning, day camps, and other activities designed to support student needs outside of the normal school schedule.

  • $6 million to support out-of-school-time providers who serve children in low-income communities and help these children participate in virtual instruction and get back on track academically, mentally, socially, and physically.

As you know, Out-of-school time programs are uniquely positioned to help students catch up and accelerate their learning with the academic, physical, social and emotional supports that kids will need for a robust recovery.

We'll be sending more details on these recommendations soon. And please watch your email next week for talking points and resources for advocating with your State Representatives and State Senators in support of this critical investment in youth and families across the state. 

You can view the Governor's budget proposal at https://www.michigan.gov/documents/budget/FY2022_Executive_Budget_715974_7.pdf