CA Budget: California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance Responds to Governor’s 2022-23 Budget Proposal

 

CA3 applauds the nearly $4.5 billion in additional funding proposed for afterschool programs, and warns that the planned expansion won’t be possible without investing in our heroic workforce.

January 14, 2022 — On Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom released his proposed budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance (CA3) applauds the Governor’s commitment to growing access to afterschool and summer learning programs through massive investments, including an additional $3.4 billion into the Expanded Learning Opportunities program.

These funds will help support access to expanded-day, full-year instruction and enrichment for all elementary school students, with a focus on LEAs with the highest concentrations of low-income students, English language learners, and youth in foster care. For decades these programs have proven their value in providing safe, supportive learning environments that increase student engagement. Expanded learning programs are critical to help students, families, and communities continue to endure and recover from the pandemic. Not only do afterschool programs offer students additional learning time and social-emotional support, but research has shown that kids who go to afterschool programs also attend school-day classes more regularly. This investment is therefore key to addressing the persistent attendance and engagement challenges California is facing.

This budget proposal builds on last year’s historic investments in afterschool and summer programming, a testament to the work CA3 members and partners have done to demonstrate the unique value and impact of expanded learning programs. The budget proposal includes:

  • An additional $3.4 billion in ongoing funding for the Expanded Learning Opportunities program, bringing the ELO-P funds to $4.4 billion to support access to expanded-day, full-year instruction and enrichment for all elementary school students, with a focus on LEAs with the highest concentrations of low-income students, English language learners, and youth in foster care.

  • $937 million in one-time funding to support ELO-P infrastructure, with a focus on integrating arts and music.

  • $148.7 million for existing expanded learning programs through the After School Education and Safety (ASES) and 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) programs to continue one-time reimbursement rate increases that were instituted in the 2021 Budget Act.

While we are thrilled that the Governor has proposed these massive increases in public funding for education, including afterschool and summer programs, there are some details missing that are critical to serving students and families now and into the future. ASES and 21st CCLC critically need an equitable cost of living adjustment of at least 5.33% similar to the Governor’s proposal for LCFF and other categorical programs. Without this, programs cannot recruit and retain the workforce needed to implement the new investment. Staffing is by far the biggest challenge to effective and efficient implementation, and a realistic proposal for adequately paying this critical workforce will make or break the Governor’s vision for expansion. We hope to work with the Governor and the Legislature to:

  • Increase current funding rates for all publicly funded expanded learning (afterschool and summer) programs to help LEAs and their community partners recruit and retain the staff required to serve students. In his proposed Budget summary, the Governor “encourages schools to consider partnering with community-based providers to quickly scale up capacity.”

  • Provide equitable expanded learning opportunities for middle and high school students. The Governor’s budget proposal does not increase access for older youth who need safe and welcoming spaces after school for academic and social-emotional support, enrichment, and skill-building opportunities.

  • Collect essential data and develop a roadmap for California’s expanded learning programs with LEAs, community partners, and families to ensure access to quality programs.

  • Extend some pandemic flexibility through 2022, including holding programs harmless from continued fluctuations in attendance this year.

For more, see our budget request letter to the Governor.

About the California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance

California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance (CA3) is the statewide voice for expanded learning, including afterschool and summer learning programs. It is the coalition behind the Save Afterschool Campaign and represents the interests of half a million children, youth, and their families that rely on publicly funded expanded learning programs throughout California each day. www.saveafterschool.com

California Afterschool Advocacy Alliance Members

A World Fit for Kids; After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles; arc; Bay Area Community Resources; Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson; California AfterSchool Network; California Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs; California School-Age Consortium; California State Alliance of YMCAs; California Teaching Fellows Foundation; Children Now; Community Youth Ministries; EduCare Foundation; Fight Crime: Invest in Kids; Heart of Los Angeles; LA's BEST Afterschool Enrichment Program; LA Conservation Corps; Mission: Readiness; Partnership for Children & Youth; Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center; The Children's Initiative; Think Together; Woodcraft Rangers; YMCA of San Diego County

Contact:

Stephanie Pollick, stephanie@partnerforchildren.org