Hutchinson advances after-school bill
Legislation would provide oversight for youth programs
SPRINGFIELD | A bill authored by State Sen. Toi Hutchinson, D-Olympia Fields, to create standards for quality after-school programs across the state passed out of a senate committee Wednesday.
The proposed Afterschool Youth Development Program Act is designed to create accountability in currently existing afterschool programs and provide assistance to communities with no after-school programs to create effective services.
“The Program is designed to increase oversight of current after-school programs,” Hutchinson said. “By developing standards and eliminating waste we are ensuring that the state dollars currently going to these programs are put to good use.”
The Act works in two parts, creating both the Illinois Youth Development Council and a three-year demonstration period. If approved, the council will evaluate programming and recommend assessments of goals and future needs. The demonstration period will evaluate programs to determine cost efficiency, impact and improvements.
“Obviously, our state is in a fiscal crisis, and education programs are feeling the effects of budget cuts,” Hutchinson said. ” We are investing in what works in these tough economic times full of uncertainty.”
According to ACT Now!, a partnership of organizations involved in afterschool programs, more than 50 percent of students in kindergarten through 12th grade have no access to an after-school program.
“After-school programs help youth succeed by developing critical academic, career and life skills,” said Kelley Pasatta, director of ACT Now! “Youth that participate are less likely to drop out, have higher graduation rates and miss fewer school days. Yet, six out of 10 young people in Illinois don’t have access to an after-school program.”
