Afterschool and Community Schools Advocacy Day – April 29, 2015

PARTICIPANT TALKING POINTS

What is a community school?

  • Community schools are the center around which the community revolves.
  • In the community school model, public schools, non-profit organizations and local businesses come together to provide a broad range of programs and services to students and their families in support of comprehensive child development.
  • Through this approach, community schools create an environment where students and their families can reach their full potential.
  • How does this look in your community / school? Is there a student or family you can talk about?

Quality afterschool programming is critical to educational achievement and youth development. Afterschool offers:

  • High-quality academic assistance
  • A safe space that reduces risky behaviors such as criminal activities, violence, substance abuse, and sexual activity
  • College and career preparation, including internships with career professionals
  • Initiatives that promote positive youth development and leadership skills
  • Working parents additional time to be at their jobs

We are asking our elected officials to promote policies that support children and youth and to provide the funding necessary to sustain and expand afterschool programs and community schools, including:

  1. Teen REACH (IDHS)

Teen REACH funds afterschool programming for nearly 15,000 youth across the state. It provides academic support, social and emotional learning, and other supports for youth and families. It is funded and monitored by Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Communities across the state, including community schools, rely on Teen REACH programs as their primary afterschool option. The Governor’s FY16 budget proposal would eliminate Teen REACH, and the program was eliminated for the remainder of FY15, too.

  • Teen REACH helps keep youth safe during dangerous afterschool hours; Participants also have better graduation rates and attendance.
  • Without Teen REACH, the majority of participants will have NO quality, affordable afterschool options. Parents would also lose a work support.
  • (How would you be able to expand your efforts if you had Teen REACH funding? Or if you already have Teen REACH funding, what would happen if you lost it?)

ASK:Please support $13.8m in Teen REACH funding – it is a critical investment in keeping our youth safe and learning.

  1. Expanded Learning Program (ISBE)

ISBE’s FY16 budget proposal included $10m for an Expanded Learning Program – the Governor’s budget proposal does not.An Expanded Learning Program could support additional afterschool learning opportunities, both in community schools and in community centers.

ASK: We are asking legislators to support $10m for an Expanded Learning Program.

  1. Adequate revenue generation

The state of Illinois faces a significant budget shortfall for the remainder of FY15 and an even bleaker outlook for FY16. We do not currently generate the revenue that we need to adequately fund education, support youth development programs, and provide vital services to vulnerable populations.

ASK: Please take the measures necessary to ensure that we have adequate revenue to invest in education and in programs and supports on which students and families rely.