californias afterschool expansion. prop 49 primer 56 percent of voters approved in 2002 raised state...
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California’s California’s Afterschool ExpansionAfterschool Expansion
California’s California’s Afterschool ExpansionAfterschool Expansion
Prop 49 Primer
56 percent of voters approved in 2002
Raised state after school funding to $550 million
Implementation began a few months ago
Prop. 49Planning for California ExpansionJoe Ames
Funded by WT GrantUnique opportunityPrivate consulting firm and public policyChronicle – the narrativeTake Aways for other plannersReport is available at
www.wtgrantfdn.org
Prop 49Chronicle on Planning
• The Basics: Research and Effective Advocacy
• Research and analysis provided clear view– Elevated the work of planners and advocates.– Make the program attractive to providers before
jumping to the nuts and bolts of roll-out.
Prop 49Chronicle on Planning
• Group Dynamics: Utilizing Expertise and Recognizing Limitations
• Tapping expertise among providers, agencies and advocates useful
• Research and facilitation skills were complementary
• Identifying strengths and recognizing limitations is also important
Prop 49Chronicle on Planning
• Investment: Strategic Partnerships and Early Buy-in
• Best to have all parties on board with equal intensity
• Deep relationships outside of education can be critical in sparking useful new synergies
Prop 49Chronicle on Planning
• Lasting Value: Defining, Creating and Sustaining Quality Programs
• Long overdue, nuanced conversation several key drivers of quality at scale– technical assistance, workforce development and
accountability. • Dynamic, evolving conversation will ultimately
determine whether Proposition 49 delivers on its full promise.
Prop 49Communication and OutreachSteve Fowler
• Quality program sites as models- distributed across the state’s media markets
• Research that shows that after-school will keep kids safe, support working families and inspire children to learn
Prop 49Communication and Outreach
• A shared succinct message that resonates with voters and opinion leaders
• On-going training of after-school community on messages and how to use them
• A drumbeat of media coverage on the value of and need for after-school
Prop 49Communication and Outreach
• A history of bi-partisan support
• Spokespersons who can gain media and policy maker attention
• Law enforcement voices on your side
• Working relationships with state and local education leaders
Prop 49Communication and Outreach
• An understanding of budget and revenue circumstances and history
• Annual use of Lights On Afterschool! as a public education and coalition building tool at local and state levels
• An openness to new champions and allies joining the movement - even if it means surrendering some control of the movement
• Foundation funding for outreach and advocacy
• A forum or "open space“ for stakeholders work out differences and build consensus- needs to include CBOs, school-based programs, school-age care, recreation and faith-based programs
• A constant willingness to explore new areas
Prop 49Communication and Outreach
PROPOSTITION 49 BALLOT TREND
59%55%
63%
38%32%
25%
7%9%12%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
In favor of 63% 59% 55%
Against 25% 32% 38%
Unsure 12% 9% 7%
9/20 10/17 10/21
Prop 49ImplementationJennifer Peck
Reform Effort
• 20-30% annually going unspent• Difficulty managing/maintaining
program
Prop 49Implementation
Legislative Reforms
• Grant vs. Reimbursement• Increased daily after-school rate• Priority for funding going to low-
income schools
Prop 49Implementation
Reforms, continued
• Funding match decrease from half to third
• Streamlined application process• More federal 21st CCLC money directed
to high school• Changes to evaluation system
Prop 49Implementation
Factors that made reforms successful
• Release of new funds was imminent• Governor had a great interest in seeing Prop
49 succeed• Democratic leaders, who created the original
program, also had a great interest in success• Advocacy community in agreement about
reforms
Prop 49Implementation
Funding Roll-Out
• Application process in the fall of 2006• Awards posted in February, 2007• Demand very high – only half of applicant
schools received grants• Official notifications began going out in March• Timing of program start-up varied across state• Full programming to start in fall of 2007
Prop 49Implementation
Roll-Out, continued
• Start-up training and technical assistance slow to arrive through state department of education
• Statewide and regional intermediaries stepped in to support new programs, though coverage varied across state
• CDE currently formulating plan for how to spend training and t/a dollars
Prop 49Implementation
Implementation Challenges
• Hiring qualified staff• Training new staff• Coordination with schools/academic
alignment• Negotiation of space for program at
school sites
Prop 49Implementation
Policy Issues for Consideration
• Quick vs. phased-in expansion of programs needs to be carefully considered
• Application process needs to be accessible to all applicants, and be useful for review, as well as implementation
• Design and Evaluation of programs must align with best research as well as youth/parent/community needs and expectations
Prop 49Implementation
Policy Issues, continued
• In most cases, sustainability beyond grant funding is not attainable
• Grantees should be eligible for renewal if they are meeting program outcomes
• Sufficient professional development and technical assistance resources are critical
• Better coordination between after school and SES services would benefit students
Questions
How to reach us
• Joe Ames – [email protected]
• Steve Fowler – [email protected]
• Jennifer Peck – [email protected]