NC In the Top 10 Nationally For Afterschool Programs

North Carolina Named a Top 10 State for Afterschool Programs But Expert Says State Has “Long Way to Go”

Afterschool Alliance Survey of North Carolina Household Finds Marked Increase in Afterschool Enrollment Since 2004, But Also Vast Unmet Demand for Afterschool Programs

Comparatively strong participation in afterschool programs by North Carolina youth, along with high satisfaction rates among their parents, has landed the state in the Afterschool Alliance’s newly named “Top 10 States for Afterschool Programs” list. The ranking is based on data from the landmark America After 3PM study, conducted for the Afterschool Alliance.

America After 3PM found that 12 percent of North Carolina schoolchildren are enrolled in afterschool programs, up from 10 percent in 2004. “North Carolina is making progress on afterschool, and can be proud of that,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant.

“But the data also show another side of the story. The majority of North Carolina parents who want their kids in afterschool programs aren’t able to find them, usually because programs aren’t available, they can’t afford the fees, or transportation issues make it impossible. These are all barriers we can and should overcome. Quality afterschool programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and help working families. Every North Carolina family that needs an afterschool program should have access to one.”

Although there has been an increase in the number of North Carolina children attending afterschool programs over the last five years, today 31 percent of the state’s schoolchildren are on their own in the afternoons, and another 13 percent are in the care of their brothers or sisters. In addition, the parents of 36 percent of children not already in afterschool say they would enroll their kids in a program if one were available.

Eighty-six percent of North Carolina parents say they are satisfied with the afterschool program their child attends. “The data underscore that, despite some progress, we still have significant work ahead if we are to make quality afterschool programs available to every child in this state,” said Jamie Knowles, Director of the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs.

“Too many children who need afterschool programs don’t have them, and families are carrying a heavier burden as a result. That’s particularly difficult during these hard economic times. For afterschool programs to meet the huge unmet demand from families, they’re going to need more support from all sectors – from the business and philanthropic communities, as well as from the government at all levels.”

“This research confirms what we see every day, that afterschool programs are reaching only a fraction of the children and families that need them – and the recession is making matters worse,” said Afterschool Ambassador Claire Tate, Executive Director of Partners in Out-of- School Time in Charlotte. “Afterschool programs make such a difference in children’s lives and futures. We simply must find a way to significantly expand the availability of afterschool programs.”

The “Top 10 States for Afterschool” in the new report are: Hawaii, Arizona, New York, California, New Jersey, Virginia, New Mexico, Florida, Texas and North Carolina.

In key respects, the North Carolina results from the America After 3PM study reflect national findings:

• The number and percentage of children participating in afterschool programs in the nation has increased significantly in the last five years, with 8.4 million children (15 percent) now participating. That compares with 6.5 million children in 2004 (11 percent).
• But the number of children left alone after the school day ends also has risen, to 15.1 million children (26 percent of school-age children) in 2009. That is an increase of 800,000 children since 2004. Thirty percent of middle schoolers (3.7 million kids) are on their own, as are four percent of elementary school children (1.1 million children).
• The parents of 18.5 million children (38 percent) not currently participating in an afterschool program would enroll their children in a program if one were available to them, a significant increase from the 15.3 million (30 percent) seen in 2004.
• The vast majority of parents of children in afterschool programs are satisfied with the programs their children attend, and overall public support for afterschool programs is similarly strong. Nine in 10 parents (89 percent) are satisfied with the afterschool programs their children attend. Eight in 10 parents support public funding for afterschool programs.