With more than a decade’s focus on early learning initiatives like On My Way Pre-K, there has been an increasing awareness of the importance of School-Age Out-of-School Time (OST) programs at the Statehouse. Thanks to previous efforts, the 2024 legislative session came and went smoothly for Afterschool programs in Indiana.
While AYS operates within school buildings, OST programs are offered in various community locations to consistently provide before, after, and breaks when school is not in session. There is clear evidence that when youth consistently participate in afterschool programs, they are less likely to participate in risky behaviors and more likely to behave better in the classroom. Students enrolled in Afterschool programs that offer added enrichment like tutoring statistically attend school more frequently, achieve grade-level milestones, and graduate with a high school diploma.
During the 2024 Indiana General Assembly, AYS collaborated with the Indiana Afterschool Network (IAN) for focused advocacy efforts, and school-age programs saw some big wins as a result:
- Senate Enrolled Act 2 included language that advanced greater access to childcare for childcare workers and will improve health and safety regulations and training.
- This legislation increases eligibility for childcare and afterschool workers to access vouchers that will reduce or eliminate their cost of childcare. This means:
- Childcare/afterschool program workers who are at or below 85% of the State’s medium income ($81,072 for a family of four), are now eligible for the maximum Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) Vouchers benefit.
- By raising the threshold for the CCDF voucher for this class of worker it will increase access to care across the state by attracting more workers to the field.
- Childcare/afterschool program workers who are at or below 85% of the State’s medium income ($81,072 for a family of four), are now eligible for the maximum Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) Vouchers benefit.
The purpose of CCDF is to increase the availability, affordability, and quality of childcare and helps low-income families obtain child care so that they may work, attend training, or continue their education. This legislation directly benefit individuals committed to positive youth development and often cannot afford childcare for their own families. It also helps providers retain employees, which improves the economic impact of Indiana as a whole. Based on AYS data research, increased benefits like free or discounted childcare leads to better recruitment and retention of qualified workers. Consistent staff allows for a higher quality program AND allows for more available seats for kids.
Other Indiana General Assembly wins:
- OST programs are now officially defined in Indiana Code as a structured program that offers enrichment and academic activities primarily for students in kindergarten through grade 9 in a school or community-based setting.
- This precedent further cements the State’s recognition of school-age Afterschool enrichments as a vital path towards the growth and development of our young people.
- The timeline was moved up to review the state’s health and safety guidelines to streamline and create efficiencies.
- This will accelerate the state’s work to improve the quality of and access to programs specifically for children ages 0 to 5, with residual impacts on school-age youth.
- Rules and regulations for early learning and school-age providers were improved to reduce some initial regulatory burdens, such as CPR requirements for childcare workers that were out of line with CPR compliance.
- This will free up time and dollars to support other types of training, like behavior management, group transitions, family engagement, etc. to improve quality and impact.
- House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1380 extended Student Learning Recovery Grants and eliminated the required matching funds.
- This new law reduces barriers for community organizations to apply for funds and paves the way for future funds to be allocated by the state to be used to partner with schools to support learning outside of school hours.
What does this all really mean? Bottom line – There is no dispute that afterschool programs keep kids safe, inspire learning, and give working parents peace of mind.
Investing in afterschool programs will protect the state’s nearly 11-year investment in improving early education in Indiana.
This is a time to celebrate. We appreciate the work done by the legislature this session and their recognition of the importance of Out-of-School Time and the valuable impact it has on student learning.
