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 – joe@amesonline.net

• Steve Fowler – steve_fowler@fowlerhoffman.info

• Jennifer Peck – jennifer@bayareapartnership.org