Federal Stimulus Bill Brings Opportunities and Questions

After a contentious few weeks on capital hill, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 on February 17, 2009. The legislation provides for a combination of stimulus spending and tax cuts totaling $789 billion (according to some estimates, approximately 40% of the total is tax cuts). Speaking to reporters the day after the bill was signed, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick noted that the state will receive somewhere between $6 and $9 billion in federal money. Patrick also noted that the state has limited flexibility in how these funds are used because under the provisions of the bill funds will go to “specific programs with specific purposes.”

A variety of provisions in the bill will have either a direct or indirect impact on funding for afterschool and out-of-school time services for families in Massachusetts. While the details are still unclear, the key provisions for our field include:

1. $2 Billion for Child Care and Development Block Grants (CCDBG)—The CCDBG is one of the largest funding streams for childcare subsidies, such as vouchers. According to the Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership, MA will receive approximately $24 million in these funds. This represents a 23% increase in the FY2009 allocation, to be used within the next 2-3 years:
· Over $20 million in non-targeted CCDBG funds
· Nearly $2 million in non-targeted quality improvement funds
· Over $1 million in targeted quality improvement funds for infants and toddlers
2. $2.1 billion for Head Start and Early Head Start. The Department of Early Education and Care anticipate an additional $10.1 million for Massachusetts.
3. $13 Billion for Title 1 Funds—These funds are used to support programs that improve the academic opportunities for disadvantaged and underrepresented students, including both in-school and out-of-school programs.
· MA will likely receive over $208 million for Title 1 funding
4. The Workforce Investment Act grants that support job training services will receive $1.2 billion for youth job training programs and summer employment opportunities for youth. The WIA also includes $50 million for the YouthBuild program providing at-risk youth educational and occupational experience and credentials while building affordable housing.
· MA set to receive approximately $25 million for youth job services and summer job opportunities.
5. The AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA program will receive $160 million through the stimulus bill to support existing state and national grantees and to support AmeriCorps Volunteers, many of who provide staffing for afterschool programs.
6. $53.6 billion for State Fiscal Stabilization Funds—Included in these funds are $5 billion to be coordinated by the Department of Education through state grants and a $650 innovation fund. States will also receive approximately $40 billion in Education Blog Grants.
· MA will receive approximately $813 million for education spending. This funding is targeted to make up for cuts in k-12 funding since FY2008; to fund increases in education spending based on state funding formulas; and, to make up for funding cuts to higher education since FY2008.

We will continue to keep you updated as more details become clear about how these funds will be specifically allocated. It is crucial that we remain vocal and reach out to our state leaders to ensure that funding decisions provide the most critical supports for the children and youth of Massachusetts. For more information on the state's use of ARRA funds, visit www.mass.gov/recovery

On Message

"When does the protest start tomorrow?"

This question was asked of me by program staff when I picked up my kids from afterschool on Wednesday. It was the night before many of us gathered at the State House for Advocacy Day 2009. These OST educators were ready to bring hula-hoops and whistles to make a big noise in support of community-based organizations. While I encouraged them to come and be engaged in the dialogue with their colleagues, I had to explain that it is better thought of as an opportunity to network, speak to legislators and rally together than an opportunity to protest certain policies. The question, however, does highlight some simmering tension among providers who are being asked to do much more with fewer resources. How do we tap that energy to further sound policies for children and youth across a long budget process?

With the policy season in full swing, there is a heightened awareness of an issue that can be contentious and often fraught with difficult questions—MESSAGE. What is the proper frame to move an idea or goal forward? How important is it to control that message for maximum impact? The challenge for any coalition of diverse members is keeping people engaged around a shared goal while recognizing that people have diverse opinions on how to reach that goal. In fact, part of the value of coalitions is drawing on the varied perspectives of members and utilizing the best ideas available. Any attempts to inhibit open discussion in the name of political expediency will fail to mobilize people in the strongest possible way.

To keep this dialoge moving, I would like to offer two powerful ways of talking about the value of investing in youth programs:

Youth Programs Support Heathly Youth Development
An extensive body of research shows that quality youth programs support resiliency and build developmental assets in children and youth. By providing children key supports—safe and supportive environments, caring relationships, variety of interesting enrichment activities, flexible opportunities for skill building, opportunities for youth contribution and choice, and parental involvement—OST programs help youth become empowered, set acceptable boundaries, more engaged in their community and learning, and develop positive values, social competencies and self-identity. Research in youth development has long made the connection between the extent to which children have these assets and their resiliency—the skills and behaviors necessary to cope with life’s challenges.

Youth Development is Community Development
Investing in youth is investing in healthy communities. The research is clear. Young people who participate in quality youth development programs are more likely to be engaged in their communities, vote, maintain stable personal relationships, stay employed and have a postive outlook on life. Youth programs provide employment opportunities for young people in the community who can mentor others and provide a deeper connection to community life. Youth development programs also have an explicit role in helping youth transition from dependent child to productive adult. All of these are important, measurable benefits to communities.

As a community, we need to understand that there is an objective value to supporting youth programs that are linked to outcomes that are cumulative over time and can’t be easily measured through some point-in-time assessment. We also need to continue to advocate for the unique strengths and assets that these programs bring to partnerships and collaborations with other organizations so that their work is valued and respected and that partnerships yield the best results for our children and youth. Wouldn't we tap deeper creative energy by empowering youth programs to define their own expectations for quality services based on their understanding of community needs?