What Happens After the Final School Bell Rings?

 

By Dr. Teresa A. Smith

The school day may end at three, but a family’s need for support does not. Parents may still be working, students may need help with schoolwork, and some young people may not have a safe place to go. If that sounds familiar, your community may need an afterschool program designed around what students and families are actually experiencing.  It may need an afterschool program designed around what students and families are actually experiencing.

Before searching for funding, take a closer look at what happens after students leave school. Do they go home alone, depend on an older sibling, or wait for a parent to finish work? Are they struggling with reading or math but unable to receive extra help? The answers can reveal needs that may not be visible during the regular school day.

What Can 21st CCLC Funding Support?

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program (21st CCLC) is a federal program that provides funding to states. States then award grants to eligible organizations through a competitive process. The funding supports learning opportunities during times when school isn’t in session, including before school, after school, and summer.

According to federal law, programs may offer academic enrichment, tutoring, arts, music, physical activity, technology, career exploration, and other services that support students. Programs may also provide families with opportunities to become more involved in their children’s education. These activities should complement what students are learning during the school day and respond to their academic needs.

This means 21st CCLC isn’t simply funding for any collection of afterschool activities. A program must be able to explain which students need support, what those students need, and how the proposed services will respond. Starting with a list of exciting activities may sound appealing, but it doesn’t explain why the program is needed.

Begin With the Need, Not the Grant

As a former 21st CCLC program director and grant writer, I learned that a strong program doesn’t begin with the application. It begins with listening, asking questions, and examining what students and families face after school. That information helps an organization move beyond what it wants to offer and focus on what the community needs.

Suppose families say their children need homework help, but transportation prevents them from attending existing programs. Tutoring alone won’t solve the problem if students can’t reach the program or get home afterward. The organization may need to consider transportation, program hours, staffing, and family schedules as part of its plan.

Another community may discover that students have academic support but few opportunities to explore science, art, technology, or careers. That finding could lead to a different kind of afterschool program. The design should follow the need instead of forcing every community into the same model.

What Should Your Organization Ask?

Begin by asking what students currently do after school and where families experience gaps. Talk with students, parents, educators, school leaders, and organizations already serving young people. Listen for concerns that appear across several conversations, such as limited supervision, transportation problems, academic struggles, or a lack of enrichment opportunities.

Next, consider whether a new program is needed or whether an existing program could be expanded. Your community may already have organizations doing part of the work, even if their services don’t reach every student. Understanding what already exists can help you identify missing services and possible partners.

Could This Funding Fit Your Community?

Finding a need doesn’t automatically mean 21st CCLC is the right funding source. Your organization will still need to review the current grant requirements issued by its state and determine whether the opportunity matches the students it wants to serve. For now, the important question is whether you can clearly explain what happens after the final school bell rings and why additional support is needed.

That answer gives you a place to begin. It can guide the program you create, the partners you involve, and the funding opportunities you consider. To continue learning about 21st Century Community Learning Centers and whether this funding may fit your organization or community, follow Dr. TAS and visit AskDrTAS.com.