Governor Presents 13th Proposal of the 2017 State of the State: Expand After-School Education to Children in High-Need Areas Across the State
$35 Million in Funding Will Create 22,000 New After-school Slots to Close the Opportunity Gap for Students in the 16 Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative Areas
Increase Enrollment in High-Quality After-school Programs by 36 Percent
Give New York Families Access to the Highest Number of After-school Programs in State History
Governor Cuomo proposed a $35 million pilot program to create 22,000 new after-school slots in high-need areas across the state. With this investment, the state is on track to increase enrollment in these areas by 36 percent, giving New Yorkers access to the highest number of afterschool programs in state history. The Governor unveiled the proposal at his regional State of the State in New York City.
The pilot program will focus on 16 cities that are part of the state’s Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative, focusing on kids who do not have a safe and supportive place to go after school. Data shows that more productive days result in higher academic outcomes, lower dropout rates, a reduction in juvenile crime and a better chance at succeeding in life.
“After-school programs play an important role in enriching the lives of students, and this proposal helps in our efforts to provide these opportunities to all children, regardless of their zip code,” Governor Cuomo said. “This pilot program will further level the playing field for children in underserved cities across the state by expanding their access to programs and community resources that will help them get ahead in school and later on in life. An investment in our youngest New Yorkers is an investment in our future and we will continue working to ensure that our children have no limit to their success.”
After-school programs play a major role in closing the opportunity gap, as they provide the ideal setting to reach underrepresented students. When children have access to a quality education, including pre-k and wraparound services like afterschool programs, their chances of getting a quality paying job and having a better life increases exponentially. Participation in afterschool programs has been associated with higher academic outcomes, lower drop-out rates, and a reduction in juvenile crime. High quality afterschool programs have also been found to have a $3 return on investment for every dollar spent.
“This pilot program will further level the playing field for children in underserved cities across the state by expanding their access to programs and community resources that will help them get ahead in school and later on in life," said the governor.
About Afterschool Programs in New York
Afterschool programs in New York State are currently supported by $65 million in state investments and $88 million in federal investments. This additional $35 million in afterschool funding will be awarded as competitive grants for extended day programs and will help close the achievement gap and expand opportunities to children in high-need areas.
The 16 Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative cities include Albany, the Bronx, Binghamton, Buffalo, Elmira, Hempstead, Jamestown, Newburgh, Niagara Falls, Oneonta, Oswego, Rochester, Syracuse, Troy, Utica and Watertown.