On June 30, the US Department of Education notified state education agencies that the congressionally appropriated and mandated funds that were set to be released by July 1st were being withheld to review that they are in accordance with the President’s priorities. 

Congress appropriated these funds, the President signed them, and the allocations are set by a statutory formula – there should be no need to review or delay. The $6.2 billion that are being illegally withheld across the country will affect programs including 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Supporting Effective Instruction and Academic Enrichment, Migrant Education, and English Language Acquisition. 

In California, over $800 million in federal funding is being withheld, which represents about 17% of California’s federal education budget. $146 million in 21st Century Community Learning Center funding will be held, which provides the funding for summer programs that started today and is the only dedicated funding stream for high school students in afterschool and summer learning programs.  

California Impacts

• This funding supports summer programs that are already underway and there could be immediate cancellations of summer programs.
• Potential layoffs of program staff and/or delays in hiring. 
• No dedicated funding for afterschool and summer programs for high school students. 
• A significant cut to California’s essential afterschool infrastructure via cuts to the California Department of Education and the System of Support for Expanded Learning.
• Unprecedented havoc for schools and community-based organizations trying to operate summer programs now and plan for fall afterschool programs.

Take Action!

Now is the time to contact all Members of Congress where you have programs in operation and to sign on to the Afterschool Alliance’s petition demanding a release of these funds.​

• Sign on to the Afterschool Alliance Petition
• Call your Congress Members
• Email your Congress Members
• Notify your community and policymakers on social media.