Data shows need for after-school programs continues following federal uncertainty

Recent data about after-school programs in Nebraska shows a continued need for the initiatives across the state.

Parents of 144,606 children in Nebraska want to enroll their students in after-school programs. However, four in five of those kids miss out, according to an October report from national organization Afterschool Alliance.

This report comes after federal funding was withheld for after school as well as other education programs. That funding was eventually released, but advocates like Alison O’Toole, vice president and network lead for Nebraska-based afterschool organization Beyond School Bells, are keeping an eye on the future of afterschool federal support.

“That caused a lot of waves of uncertainty in a time that's already kind of uncertain,” O’Toole said. “We were really grateful that the funds were released but still feel like we need to be vigilant moving forward.”

In 2020 and the years since, O’Toole said many programs had closed because of the COVID-19 shutdown. Now, they’ve bounced back, but the need continues.

“It didn't surprise me that four out of five Nebraska children would be in after-school programs if they were available,” O’Toole said. “It continually surprises me that parents so strongly recognize the benefits of programs.”

More than 70% of parents said after-school programs reduce the chances of their child engaging in risky behaviors, and 78% said they keep their kids safe and out of trouble, according to the report.

O’Toole said juvenile criminal activity increases from 2-6 p.m., making after-school programs even more important.

“These are really important hours where our youth can either be disengaged or potentially in unsafe situations, or they can be very productively engaged and supported by caring adults,” she said. “That's why we try to create those structures everywhere so that those hours can be a place of positive growth and development and help kids stay out of areas that might harm them in their future.”

Parents also saw the impact on their workday, with 97% saying the support boosted their productivity.

“They really matter for neighborhoods, towns, districts,” O’Toole said. “When you support after-school programs, you're helping build community resilience, and you're supporting the work and life rhythms of families.”

The report highlights several challenges families face to accessing after-school programs, including cost, transportation, location and availability. The cost of a program was the main barrier for most, with 48% of families saying it stopped them from joining.

O’Toole said for most rural communities, these challenges are heightened, especially having safe transportation and availability of a program. She cited staffing shortages as part of the reason for less availability in rural areas.

“All after-school programs face workforce challenges, but it's especially prevalent where there's just less people, less diversified talents and then they're also less resources for visibility and advocacy,” O’Toole said. “Sometimes it's harder for rural staff to also set aside time in their schedule to advocate for themselves and to let the community know, whereas a larger program in Omaha might have a staff member dedicated to doing that.”

O’Toole also said that after-school programs can further what a student learns during the school day, which helps further state education goals.

“After-school programs can be utilized to meet goals around literacy,” O’Toole said. “They can be utilized to build workforce development pipelines.”