Introduction to After-School Program Expansion
Mayor Eric Adams announced an expansion of the city’s after-school program for elementary school students, aiming to make it free for all students who want a seat. This move is part of his upcoming Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget, where he will invest $331 million to add 20,000 new after-school seats for K-5 students over the next three years.
The Plan for After-School Expansion
The mayor revealed his plan during a press conference at P.S. 20 Anna Silver School on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. He also pledged to launch a commission of nonprofit providers and other stakeholders to develop a long-term universal after-school program, which he calls "After-School for All." This program aims to provide after-school care to all students, regardless of their background or location.
Benefits of the After-School Program
According to Mayor Adams, "After-school programs that are free for all students is our way of saying to families and loved ones and children that we see you, we hear you and we are going to make it happen." The program will allow parents to work without worrying about their children’s care after school, as the city will provide a safe and educational environment for them. The mayor believes that this program will help parents who struggle to balance work and childcare.
Comparison to Other Plans
The mayor’s announcement comes after candidates running to replace him in the Democratic mayoral primary pitched their own plans for making after-school free for all students. Brooklyn state Sen. Zellnor Myrie and city Comptroller Brad Lander have both proposed similar plans, with Myrie’s plan seeking to make after-school programming available to all students from three-year-olds in pre-school through high school seniors.
Reaction from Opponents
Myrie criticized the mayor’s announcement, stating that it comes after three years of budget cuts to education programs. "I decided to run for mayor because Eric Adams has spent the last three years undermining the programs that make it possible for New Yorkers to raise a family here," Myrie said. However, as the current mayor, Adams has the executive power to shape the city budget and implement his plans.
Details of the Plan
The mayor’s effort to expand after-school programming will begin with allocating $21 million to add 5,000 seats to the upcoming city budget for this fall. The amount will grow to $112 million for another 10,000 seats in 2027 and then again to $136 million for another 5,000 in 2028. The program will receive $755 million in annual funding starting in 2028, up from its current level of $424 million.
Implementation and Funding
The city Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) will work with communities to determine if more seats are needed. An additional $195 million will go toward improving the city’s current after-school system by opening a request for proposals to providers for the first time in a decade. The mayor has also unveiled the restoration of funding for 3-K and universal pre-K, which will be baseline going forward.
Conclusion
The expansion of the after-school program is a significant step towards providing free after-school care to all students who want it. While the plan has received criticism from opponents, it has the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of many families in the city. As the mayor prepares to unveil his full budget plan, it remains to be seen how the program will be implemented and what other initiatives will be included.
FAQs
Q: How much will the after-school program expansion cost?
A: The expansion will cost $331 million over the next three years.
Q: How many new after-school seats will be added?
A: 20,000 new after-school seats will be added for K-5 students.
Q: What is the goal of the "After-School for All" program?
A: The goal is to provide after-school care to all students who want it, regardless of their background or location.
Q: How will the program be funded?
A: The program will be funded through the city’s budget, with $755 million in annual funding starting in 2028.
Q: What other initiatives has the mayor announced?
A: The mayor has also unveiled the restoration of funding for 3-K and universal pre-K, as well as new investments in housing programs.
