The National Summer Learning Association describes the President’s FY2011 budget as containing both “Promise and Peril” and the Afterschool Alliance states the budget “poses grave concerns, along with a few bright spots.”  Now is the time to contact our representatives in Congress to make sure Out of School Time doesn’t get short shrift at the federal level.

The proposed consolidation of 21st Century Community Learning Centers and Full Service Community Schools creates a de facto cut of $13 million dollars. In addition the move to make 21st Century competitive at the federal level could mean a reduction or even elimination of resources for Maryland as well as the loss of the related network of supports and resources provided to grantees.  

Call or e-mail your Maryland Congressional Representative and ask: 1) to increase funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers by $250 Million; 2) Build on lessons learned and progress in the program by - maintaing formula funding to the states; dedicating the program to afterschool and summer programs; and continuing the focus on school and community-based organization partnerships.

For more detailed discussion of these issues visit: http://www.afterschoolalliance.org. Follow the Take Action tab to send messages to the White House and Congress. Or contact your representatives directly: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml