by Ty Tagami | Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA — Federal dollars that Georgia has been counting on to cover afterschool program costs have been disbursed.
The administration of President Donald Trump was expected to release funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program July 1 but withheld it until this week.
State School Superintendent Richard Woods had been calling on the federal government to release the money since early July.
“I deeply believe in fiscal responsibility, which means evaluating the use of funds and seeking out efficiencies, but also means being responsible – releasing funds already approved by Congress and signed by President Trump,” Woods said July 7. He repeated that message last Friday upon hearing reports that the money would be released Monday.
Monday came and went, but the Georgia Department of Education said it had not yet received the money.
Finally on Wednesday, the agency confirmed receipt of its $40.6 million share.
Nationally, the program serves about 1.4 million youths through state education grants that are in turn paid for with about $1.4 billion from the federal government, according to the Afterschool Alliance.
It is the largest single funding source for a program that provides afterschool learning for more than 27,000 youths in at least 230 Georgia communities, according to the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network. The organization attributed the administration’s decision to release the funds to a collective effort by parents, program leaders, youth advocates, “community champions” and bipartisan efforts by lawmakers.
“Working parents in particular are breathing an enormous sigh of relief,” the group added.
Last Friday, while still awaiting the funds, Woods underscored how important that money is.
“With a new school year about to begin,” he said, “it’s critical that all approved funds are made available to ensure students start strong and educators have the support they need.”
