As the landscape of the Out of School Time (OST) field – including afterschool and summer learning programs – has evolved over the past 20+ years, so too has the involvement of municipalities in this space; city leaders, including mayors and city councilmembers, have emerged as critical partners in this work. While some school districts and community-based organizations may see city leaders as “atypical” partners, mayors are extremely invested in the success of their communities, which center around thriving young people and families.
With voter support of OST programs higher than ever and addressing top-of-mind issues of improving public safety, workforce development, and child care access, mayors are increasingly recognizing how OST programs can help meet a wide range of municipal priorities.
- 8 in 10 voters say afterschool programs are an absolute necessity, significantly higher than previous polling (81% in 2022 vs 73% in 2018)
- 8 in 10 voters want newly elected federal, state, and local leaders to provide more funding for afterschool programs
- 67% of voters who said “yes” [to providing more funding] are willing to do so even if it meant they would pay more in taxes
- Support for afterschool programs is consistent across the political spectrum: 86% democrats, 74% republicans)
This resource was created to inform and guide city leaders on the importance of OST programs in their communities and provide practical examples of how cities are supporting these programs across the country.