Report Validates the Importance of PA Afterschool Programs

Report Says Quality, Affordable Afterschool Programs Are Critical to
Pennsylvania Youth

HARRISBURG, Pa., July 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Statewide
Afterschool/Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) today said they agree with
findings and recommendations in the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee's
(LBFC) Afterschool Report, which assessed the availability and affordability
of afterschool programs in Pennsylvania.

PSAYDN officials said the Afterschool Programs Report promotes discussion
regarding the importance of afterschool programs and the program components
necessary to positively impact young people. "The need for high quality
afterschool programs in Pennsylvania is significant," acting Director Lynn M.
Cromley said. "PSAYDN knows that kids' formative, out-of-school hours can be
filled with quality youth development programs that inspire learning, keep
kids safe and help working families."

The study has received broad bipartisan support in the commonwealth, where
nearly 1.3 million school-age children and youth have working parents and many
spend, on average, six hours each week unsupervised.

The report recommends the creation of a Statewide Afterschool Coordinating
Council to establish goals and steps to address already-identified issues.
When formed, the council will promote additional web-based regional databases
of afterschool programs; identify potential new funding sources; and assess
local needs and barriers to afterschool programs, especially for adolescents.
Key findings in the report show that more research is needed to fully
understand the benefits and challenges of afterschool programs.

The Network looks forward to supporting the full implementation of the
recommendations outlined in the report. "The recommendations are closely
aligned with PSAYDN's core belief that all children and youth deserve access
to high quality out-of-school time programs that promote positive youth
development and support the successful transition to adulthood," Cromley
stated.

Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network is a nonprofit
organization that promotes sustainable, high-quality out-of-school time youth
development programs through advocacy and capacity building to enhance the
welfare of Pennsylvania's children, youth and families. More information is
available at www.psaydn.org.

Media Inquiries: Aylissa Kiely Tyndale of Center for Schools and
Communities/PSAYDN, 717-763-1661 ext. 117(w), akiely.tyndale@csc.csiu.org

SOURCE Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network

Aylissa Kiely Tyndale of Center for Schools and Communities/PSAYDN,
+1-717-763-1661 ext. 117(w), +1-717-903-0219 (c), akiely.tyndale@csc.csiu.org