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As our nation faces great challenges, and afterschool has its role to play in helping America get through this time. We can, working with our partners, support struggling families, provide gainful employment and help prepare our young people to be part of a 21st Century global workforce.

The first step for afterschool leaders to take is to ensure that state leaders and agencies will allow, or even fast track, support for afterschool efforts.  We need to make the case that afterschool is an important economic support for the short and long term.  The second step will be helping providers navigate the application process.  We will be providing tips, tools and ideas generated by us and afterschool advocates around the country on these topics. See:

• I’m a local program—what can I do to tap resources?
• I’m working at the state level—what can I do to tap recovery resources?
• Webpages for potential funding streams with background on the program, facts and stats about afterschool ties to the issue, and tips and updates related to tapping these dollars: Service and AmeriCorps, CCDBG, Title 1, WIA Youth Training & Employment, YouthBuild, State Fiscal Stabilization Fund
• Afterschool & Economic Recovery Wiki: a clearinghouse featuring insights and updates on various aspects of the law; news on regulations and guidance; and strategies for accessing funds from the field, issue experts and the Afterschool Alliance policy staff. 

Additional Resources

• Chart released by the Department of Education gives preliminary guidance on when and how much funding for each program will distributed.
• The Department of Education website on the recovery package features guidance released on the funding programs to date, and the Department's overall strategy.
• The Department Of Education has posted a user-friendly guide: Using ARRA Funds to Drive School Reform and Improvement: “This document includes framing questions for decision making and examples of potential uses of ARRA funds to improve educational outcomes from early learning through high school.  It is intended to spark ideas about how districts and schools might use ARRA funds, particularly those available under the SFSF, Title I, and IDEA Part B programs.”  The document specifically sites extended learning time. 
• Learning Point Associates has created a chart of the reporting requirements showing initial analysis of the distribution and allocation of education funds to states.
• Preparing to Take Advantage of New Programs in the Economic Stimulus Package: Considerations for Out-of-School Time Providers and Stakeholders.  This funding brief from the Finance Project offers a summary of key opportunities for funding afterschool programs in the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and offers advice for afterschool program leaders and directors on how to best position their organization so it is poised to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.