There has been some good news for statewide and national expanded learning programs this year. After many years of advocacy, California’s After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program saw a $50 million

increase, a significant achievement even though it was half of what the field was requesting. Additionally, despite the Trump Administration’s efforts to eliminate the Federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, the federal FY2017 spending bill included a $25 million increase for the 21st CCLC program. Now, once again the Federal 21st CCLC program is under attack. President Trump’s proposed FY2018 budget would completely eliminate the program, and in July the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee voted to cut Community Learning Centers funding by $192 million, a level that could leave 192,000 students nationwide without programs. The Senate has yet to act on their FY2018 spending bill and are expected to do so in September. Learn more about the threat to the 21st CCLC program and what you can do to preserve it.