Advocacy and Policy Resources

Support Out-of-School Programming Aimed at Reducing Childhood Obesity

Almost 40% of Oklahoma's children and youth are either overweight or at risk of being overweight.  This epidemic has dire health and economic consequences for children and the State of Oklahoma.

Afterschool is a critical part of the solution for combating childhood obesity!  Unstructured, unsupervised out-of-school time has not only been proven to contribute to childhood obesity but quality afterschool programs have been shown to reduce childhood obesity and increase physical activity among participants.

Today, only about 10% of Oklahoma's school children (K-2) regularly participate in an afterschool program.  These low numbers are due to barriers such as program cost and access.  Among existing program (2006 survey), only 70% report a focus on obesity prevention, nutrition, athletics or recreation as part of their regular afterschool program offerings.

Currently, Oklahoma Senate Bill 1612 (Justice/Winchester) makes funds available to support out-of-school programming that demonstrates collaboration with community partners that include evidence-based physical activity and nutrition components.

Fact Sheet
Find out more about the status of SB 1612

Voters want increased funding for afterschool programs. According to a poll conducted before and during the November 2006 mid-term elections, voters from all across the political landscape recognize the important role afterschool programs play in creating a sustainable future.

Forum for Youth Investment is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to helping communities and the nation make sure all young people are Ready by 21™—ready for college, work and life. The Forum for Youth Investment has several policy and research papers available on the issue of after- and out-of-school time.

Making Smart Investments in Afterschool: A Policy Primer for State and Local Leaders contains ideas for state and local policymakers to develop interagency collaboration, expand access to affordable afterschool programs, and advance general program quality. Examples of promising practices from across the country are included to show leaders concrete ways of promoting the sustainability of afterschool programs.

Public/Private Ventures offers a variety of reports and resources regarding policy for out-of-school time.

The Future of Children documents “Four Commentaries: The Policy Climate for After-School Programs”

National Governors’ Association has a Center for Best Practices, Extra Learning Opportunities.

Promoting Quality in Afterschool Programs through State Child Care Regulations provides states with strategies for adapting childcare regulations to better promote quality in afterschool programs. The publication also includes discussion of how states can align childcare regulations with other strategies for improving the quality of afterschool programs.

National League of Cities’ Institute for Youth, Education and Families has a variety of policy resources supporting municipal policy and involvement in afterschool partnerships and programs

Expanding Afterschool Opportunities—Action Kit for Municipal Leaders by the National League of Cities

Lessons Learned—The Afterschool Hours is a report on promising practices and lessons learned from cities that participated in the National League of Cities Technical Assistance projects designed to develop, enhance, or support programs and services affecting children, youth, and families.

Estimating Supply and Demand for Afterschool Programs: A Tool for State and Local Policy Makers provides a framework for estimating supply and demand—from basic steps to an in-depth review—by summarizing and highlighting experiences in a number of states. This tool describes the ways states and communities have made estimates, and it includes lessons learned from pioneers in the field.

The Finance Project—Out of School Time Clearinghouse has a variety of publications related to out-of-school time policy.

National School Boards Association offers its Extended-Day Learning Opportunities (EDLO) Online Resource Center

CCDF and 21CCLC: State Efforts to Facilitate Coordination for Afterschool Programs is a brief that describes the rationale for increased coordination of funding from the Child Care and Development Fund and 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the challenges involved, and emerging strategies for states to consider that can make it easier for programs to utilize both funding sources.

Council of Chiefs of State School Officers (CCSSO) has a variety of resources related to education policy and out-of-school time. Visit their website to download the Council’s policy statement on extended learning opportunities.

National Conference of State Legislatures offers “Inside the State House: The People and Ideas That Shaped After-School Legislation,” a collection of six vignettes describing the legislation, the implementation process, and the key players.

The Finance Project offers “State Legislative Investments in School-Age Children and Youth,” a paper exploring state legislative actions regarding supports and services for school-age children and youth, including future implications and challenges for sustaining state legislative initiatives.

Education Commission of the States provides a database of state policy summaries and activities for extended-day programs across multiple states.

Afterschool Alliance. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of afterschool programs and advocating for quality, affordable programs for all children. Afterschool Alliance is supported by a group of public, private and nonprofit organizations that share its vision of ensuring that all children have access to afterschool programs by 2010.

Afterschool Now. Supported by The Afterschool Alliance, this website offers ideas on ways you can be an advocate for quality afterschool programs in your community and state.

National Governors Association (NGA)—Center for Best Practices. The collective voice of the nation’s governors and one of Washington, D.C.’s most respected public policy organizations, the NGA’s Center for Best Practices is the nation's only dedicated consulting firm for governors and their key policy staff. The Center’s mission is to develop and implement innovative solutions to public policy challenges. It offers a range of materials and resources focused on the issue of out-of-school time and how to mobilize governor support for extra learning opportunities.

National League of Cities. This is the oldest and largest national organization representing municipal governments throughout the United States. The League’s mission is to strengthen and promote cities as centers of opportunity, leadership, and governance. The League’s Institute for Youth, Education, and Families (YEF Institute) helps municipal leaders take action on behalf of the children, youth and families in their communities.

The National Conference of State Legislatures. This bipartisan organization serves the legislators and staffs of the nation’s 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. The Conference provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues. NCSL is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of state governments before Congress and federal agencies.

Corporate Voices For Working Families. This non-partisan, nonprofit corporate membership organization was created to bring the private sector voice into the public dialogue on issues affecting working families. Corporate Voices for Working Families is committed to policy initiatives that address high-quality learning opportunities in early childhood education and afterschool, knowing that an investment in our children plays a critical role in improving young people’s chances of success both in school and life.

National PTA. As the largest volunteer child advocacy association in the nation, National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) reminds our country of its obligations to children and provides parents and families with a powerful voice to speak on behalf of every child while providing the best tools for parents to help their children be successful students.

Oklahoma PTA. Membership is open to anyone who believes in the mission and purposes of National Parent Teacher Association. Every person who joins a local PTA automatically becomes a member of both the state and National PTAs.

Making the Case: Facts on After School
Engaging Policy Makers at All Levels
Advocacy and Policy Resources