Afterschool Programs: “We have to make a long-term investment in our kids’ and our community’s future”
The pandemic has created the “perfect storm” when it comes to afterschool programming for Alaska youth. School and work schedules have been disrupted. Caregivers have lost jobs or income. Afterschool programs have had to operate at reduced capacity – or close completely. Finding qualified afterschool staff is difficult and open positions are hard to fill.
“This fall, Anchorage’s afterschool programs were only operating at approximately 25 to 35 percent capacity due to several COVID-related issues, with one of the largest being lack of staffing. Over 20 programs were not able to reopen this school year,” shares Thomas Azzarella, director of the Alaska Afterschool Network.
Yet the need is more critical than ever for working families to have a safe place for their children, and for youth to have access to supportive adults, engaging activities and positive social interaction.
“Every kid has experienced trauma from the pandemic,” Azzarella says. “More kids have depression and anxiety, feel isolated, or have contemplated suicide. There are lots of really challenging issues they are facing due to lack of positive social connection with peers and caring adults.”
“We also provide opportunity for youth members to grow socially, emotionally and professionally under the guidance of staff who support their endeavors at AYC and beyond.”
Benefits of Afterschool
Involvement in quality afterschool programs has long-lasting implications that reach far beyond the immediate needs of youth and into adulthood. Research has shown that out-of-school time programs contribute to youth health and wellness, as well as prevention of risk behaviors.
Afterschool programs can contribute to:
Avoidance of drug and alcohol use
Decreases in delinquency and violent behavior
Reduction in juvenile crime
Increased physical activity
Increased knowledge of nutrition and health
Enhanced leadership skills
Lower rates of depression and anxiety
Improved academic performance
Higher graduation rates
“In addition to providing essential support to families by keeping kids safe during out-of-school time hours, afterschool programs also build youth resilience and protective factors to reduce youth engagement in risk behaviors like substance misuse,” Azzarella says. “Investing in afterschool helps reduce risk later in life.”
What is “Afterschool”?
“Afterschool” is a broad term, encompassing everything from before and after school care, like that offered by Camp Fire or the YMCA, to summer programs, libraries and science centers. “Afterschool is anything that engages kids in out-of-school time, builds skills for life, and connects them with other kids and supportive adults,” Azzarella says.
Anchorage Youth Court (AYC) is one such program. AYC is an alternative juvenile justice program that teaches and empowers students to serve as attorneys and judges in criminal cases involving their peers. Youth defendants participate in the judicial process by attending a sentencing hearing run by AYC youth members trained to fill courtroom roles.
“AYC gives students accountability, education and opportunity to positively influence the teen community, while providing an effective and comprehensive alternative justice system,” says Irene Tresser, AYC executive director. “We also provide opportunity for youth members to grow socially, emotionally and professionally under the guidance of staff who support their endeavors at AYC and beyond.”
Sentences imposed by youth judges include community work service, reflective essays, and a variety of classes that teach students about resolving interpersonal conflicts, anger management, the risks of marijuana and other drugs, and other relevant topics for teens. AYC defendants learn from the education and, once they complete their sentence, they have no criminal record.
“We provide young offenders an opportunity to participate in a peer-led program with no long-term consequences from committing a crime,” Tresser says. “This program is vital for the futures of at-risk and underserved youth who are first-time and/or low-level offenders.”
The Impact of the Pandemic
Like many other youth afterschool programs in Alaska, AYC has been impacted by the pandemic. “AYC has adapted and continues to provide the alternative justice program that has been our core for over 30 years,” Tresser says. “However, we are one of the many businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the pandemic.”
During the first year of the pandemic and while school was online, the number of juvenile arrests declined sharply. AYC developed a system for online sentencing hearings but also focused on helping youth members adjust to the shut-down and helping defendants complete their sentences. Now that in-person school has resumed, AYC case numbers are rising significantly. Still, youth member participation is down, despite efforts to provide opportunities to volunteer and connect. “Adolescents have experienced a prolonged state of physical isolation from their peers, teachers, extended families and community networks. Zoom fatigue has clearly set in,” Tresser says.
For AYC and many other Anchorage afterschool programs, re-engaging youth and increasing participation are top priorities that require additional funds for staffing.
Funding the Future of Afterschool
AYC is one of the afterschool programs that will benefit from funding funneled from Anchorage’s new alcohol tax. Approved by Anchorage voters in April 2020, revenue from the new sales tax is being directed to a variety of programs working to increase community safety; reduce and prevent child abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence; and prevent and address substance misuse, mental health issues and homelessness.
The funding for afterschool, which will be distributed through the Alaska Afterschool Network, is targeted at addressing staffing shortages so that programs can better serve the needs of Anchorage’s children and families. “The number one barrier for afterschool programs is hiring and retaining qualified staff,” Azzarella says. “With this funding, we can support afterschool partners in hiring, training and retaining staff, and providing high-quality professional development.”
At AYC, the funding would be used for personnel costs related to pandemic response and recovery. “During the course of the pandemic and after, significant staff time is needed to focus efforts on volunteer recruitment and engagement,” Tresser says. The additional funds would also help AYC provide opportunities virtually while maintaining the ability to quickly and efficiently make the switch back to normal court procedures when the time comes; collaborate with other nonprofits to re-energize and re-engage youth volunteers; and undertake strategic planning with the Foraker Group for the future of the program.
“With the alcohol tax funding, Anchorage has the opportunity to really address prevention activities in a coordinated way,” Azzarella says. “Afterschool can be part of that strategy to address issues like homelessness, academic achievement, domestic violence and substance misuse. But we can only do it with sustainable, long-term funding. It’s not just a two- or three-year project. We have to make a long-term investment in our kids’ and our community’s future.”