This past week-end, the Massachusetts House of Representatives finalized their budget for FY09. It is exciting to share that several statewide programs that fund afterschool programs saw important increases. This is particularly exciting considering the current fiscal climate in the state.
Representative Marie St. Fleur, the Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time, was successful in her efforts to increase funding for the Afterschool and Out-of-School Time (ASOST) Program Quality grant from $2M last year to $5M this year.
The Shannon Grant Program which provides funding for afterschool programs as part of its gang prevention efforts, saw a $2M increase from last year. Now $13M is available for funding statewide instead of $11M.
The Department of Public Health's Youth Violence Prevention grant also received more funding - $3M this year versus $2M from last year.
The Extended Learning Time Initiative also received more funding in the House budget. Funded last year at $13M, now $17.5M is available statewide to continue to help schools lengthen their school day.
The Senate will be releasing their version of the state budget later this month and it is hoped that the Senate will also recognize the value of afterschool programs as they deliberate the budget.
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