Georgia Afterschool Advocates Head to Capitol Hill
On April 27^th and 28^th, afterschool advocates from Georgia including youth, providers, educators, and GAIC staff participated in the annual Afterschool for All Challenge in Washington, DC and encouraged Members of Congress to support increased afterschool funding in the federal budget. Georgia advocates met with Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, Congressmen John Barrow and Sanford Bishop, and key staff from the offices of Congressmen Jack Kingston, John Lewis, Tom Price and David Scott.

Georgia's efforts were a part of a national initiative that brought 500 supporters from across the country to urge Congress to increase funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which provide high-quality afterschool learning opportunities for approximately 35,000 kids in Georgia. Georgia’s afterschool advocates also urged support for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), which provides subsidies for low-income parents to pay for child care, afterschool and summer care. CCDBG funding currently provides subsidies for about 54,000 kids in Georgia.

Georgia’s afterschool delegation included youth and staff from the High Achievers and YES program in Baldwin County, Georgia; youth participants from the Milledgeville Mayor’s Commission on Youth Leadership; Jeanette Scott, principal of Eagle Ridge Elementary School in Baldwin County; and GAIC staff.
Subsequently, the President’s FY10 budget was released, providing level funding for the 21^st CCLC and CCDBG programs. Hopefully the advocacy efforts on the part of the Georgia delegation will have a positive impact once Congress begins debating the budget.

As part of the Afterschool for All Challenge, the Afterschool Alliance hosted the “Breakfast of Champions” to honor afterschool champions across the country, including Georgia’s Jeanette Scott, principal of Eagle Ridge Elementary. At the breakfast, US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan spoke about the importance of communities and schools working together for kids and encouraged more partnerships across the country. A special treat for Georgians was the participation of Judge Glenda Hatchett, former chief presiding judge of the Fulton County Juvenile Court and star of television show Judge Hatchett, as emcee of the event. Judge Hatchett provided passionate remarks on afterschool as a positive prevention strategy to keep our kids safe and provide opportunities for growth and learning. For an interview with Judge Glenda Hatchett, click here.