VA Named a Top 10 State for Afterschool Programs

But Expert Says State Has “Long Way to Go”

Afterschool Alliance Survey of Virginia Household Finds Marked Increase in Afterschool Enrollment Since 2004, But Also Vast Unmet Demand for Afterschool Programs

Comparatively strong participation in afterschool programs by Virginia youth, along with high satisfaction rates among their parents, has landed the state in the Afterschool Alliance’s newly named “Top 10 States for Afterschool” list. The ranking is based on data from the landmark America After 3PM study, conducted for the Afterschool Alliance.

America After 3PM found that 16 percent of Virginia schoolchildren are enrolled in afterschool programs, up from 9 percent in 2004. “Virginia is ahead of the pack on afterschool, and can be proud of that,” said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. “But the data also show another side of the story. The majority of Virginia parents who want their kids in afterschool programs aren’t able to find them, usually because programs aren’t available, they can’t afford the fees, or transportation issues make it impossible. These are all barriers we can and should overcome. Quality afterschool programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and help working families. Every Virginia family that needs an afterschool program should have access to one.”

Although there has been a significant increase in the number of Virginia children attending afterschool programs over the last five years, today 24 percent of the state’s schoolchildren are on their own in the afternoons, and another 11 percent are in the care of their brothers or sisters. In addition, the parents of 34 percent of children not already in afterschool say they would enroll their kids in a program if one were available.

Ninety-two percent of Virginia parents say they are satisfied with the afterschool program their child attends. “This research confirms what we see every day, that afterschool programs are reaching only a fraction of the children and families that need them – and the recession is making matters worse,” said Afterschool Ambassador Karen Washington, Superintendent of Youth Programs for Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism. “Afterschool programs make such a difference in children’s lives and futures. We simply must find a way to significantly expand the availability of afterschool programs.”

The “Top 10 States for Afterschool” in the new report are: Hawaii, Arizona, New York, California, New Jersey, Virginia, New Mexico, Florida, Texas and North Carolina.

In key respects, the Virginia results from the America After 3PM study reflect national findings:

• The number and percentage of children participating in afterschool programs in the nation has increased significantly in the last five years, with 8.4 million children (15 percent) now participating. That compares with 6.5 million children in 2004 (11 percent).
• But the number of children left alone after the school day ends also has risen, to 15.1 million children (26 percent of school-age children) in 2009. That is an increase of 800,000 children since 2004. Thirty percent of middle schoolers (3.7 million kids) are on their own, as are four percent of elementary school children (1.1 million children).
• The parents of 18.5 million children (38 percent) not currently participating in an afterschool program would enroll their children in a program if one were available to them, a significant increase from the 15.3 million (30 percent) seen in 2004.
• The vast majority of parents of children in afterschool programs are satisfied with the programs their children attend, and overall public support for afterschool programs is similarly strong. Nine in 10 parents (89 percent) are satisfied with the afterschool programs their children attend. Eight in 10 parents support public funding for afterschool programs.