Representative Adrian Madaro, Co-Chair of the Legislative Afterschool Caucus on Beacon Hill, led a group of passionate legislators last week for a meeting of the Afterschool Caucus to discuss ways to support afterschool programs across Massachusetts. The virtual event provided a platform for lawmakers to deliberate and discuss crucial matters pertaining to youth education and afterschool programs.
The Afterschool Caucus serves as an invaluable opportunity for legislators to share insights, best practices, and innovative ideas aimed at bolstering educational experiences outside of traditional school hours. Last week’s meeting highlighted the pressing need for increased support and resources for afterschool programs, especially as much of the COVID-19 funding is set to expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2024. Legislators identified potential opportunities to support afterschool programs, including legislation that would leverage legal cannabis tax revenue to sustain these invaluable programs. Another bill co-filed by Representative Madaro, H489, similarly seeks to boost early education and child care for young children by providing a comprehensive framework for how child care in Massachusetts is structured in order to lower costs for families and better compensate providers.
“Afterschool programs are invaluable resources for our youth and their families,” said Representative Madaro. “They provide enriching, educational, and fun spaces for young people to spend time outside of school hours. But to make sure these resources are truly accessible to every community across the Commonwealth, we must ensure that they have the strong and stable funding they need to support their programming. I’m proud to lead the Afterschool Caucus to advance this issue up at the State House.”
As the meeting concluded, legislators expressed optimism and a renewed commitment to advancing the cause of quality afterschool education. Recognizing the immense potential within these programs to bridge gaps in learning, foster social-emotional development, and enhance overall academic outcomes, attendees vowed to continue to work to support afterschool and summer programs that serve families across Massachusetts.