ADVOCACY RESOURCES

The following section will provide you with tools and information on how to effectively advocate to policymakers. In addition, included are links to various federal, state and local institutions relevant to after school advocates.

• Engaging Policy Makers
• Afterschool Alliance, Contact Your Policymakers
- This site contains multiple resources for engaging policymakers, including sample letters and organizing tips.
• The After-School Corporation - This site will provide information on meeting elected officials, how to conduct a legislative meeting and the steps to effective advocacy.
• Project Vote Smart -Use this site to find your local legislators.
• Making the Case: Facts on After School
  • New England After 3 PM a new report on after school in the region covering need, benefits, status, quality programs, networks etc.
  • After School In Connecticut: What are kids doing after school?  a poll commissioned by the Connecticut After School Network to measure and better understand how kids spend their time when they're not in school and how their families make choices about child care.
  • After School Fact Sheet a fact sheet on after school in Connecticut.
• Afterschool Alliance, Issue overview - contains national data on the need and benefits of after school programs.
• National Institute on Out-of-School Time, "Making the Case: A Fact Sheet on Children and Youth in Out-of-School Time"
• Federal
• U.S. Department of Education, 21st Century Community Learning Centers - This site will provide you with key information on the 21st Century Community Learning Center program, a major federal funding source for after school programs.
• Afterschool.gov - A federal clearinghouse for a wide range of after school issues.
• Afterschool Alliance, Policy News - A regularly updated section of the Afterschool Alliance that provides federal policy updates.