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Home & Family: Welfare Reform

AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE PROGRAMS (ASCCEP)

After School Child Care and Education Programs are an integral component in the lives of rural low income families. Approximately four million American children live in distressed communities where high levels of poverty, school dropouts, unemployment and high reliance on welfare exist, according to a 1995 report released by the Children's Defense Fund. These children and youth are at immediate risk for not surviving in their community neighborhoods, much less meeting basic needs of a safe-haven home, food and care. These at-risk children, their families and the everyday societal problems, which they face, are the focus of the National Youth-at-Risk and Plight of Young Children Initiatives of the Extension Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.

All youth experience some degree of risk as they progress from childhood to adult life. An increasing number of American youth, however, are at substantially higher risk for negative outcomes such as substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, crime, violence and academic under-achievement which eventually leads to dependency on the welfare system due to family, community, social, political and economic conditions which they have not created. Whether youths needs are met and skills are used in socially acceptable ways depend, in part, on the quality and availability of people, places and resources.

Successful youth development programs, such as the AAfter School Child Care and Education Program,@ provide positive environments in which youth can meet personal and social needs and build their skills and competencies in productive, socially acceptable ways.

How the Program Works

The After School Child Care and Education Program was initially developed through a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (CSREES). The grant was administered jointly by the Alcorn Cooperative Extension Program and the Mississippi State University -Extension Service. Two after school sites (located in Greenville and Fayette, MS) were pilot-tested in 1991. As a result of the overwhelming success of the programs, students experienced academic improvement, parents moved from welfare toward self-sufficiency, and low income parents became empowered and more involved in their child=s education. The program has received requests from neighboring counties to replicate the after school model. Currently, the Extension System has after school programs in the school districts of Jefferson, Claiborne, Franklin, Hinds, and Washington Counties and one community satellite site in Adams County.

The programs operate daily providing a safe-haven environment that encourages creativity and positive self-esteem through daily wholesome and fun activities, including:

• Tutorial and homework assistance
• Educational enrichment activities, such as environmental education
• Adequate adult supervision after school
• Daily nutritious snacks
• Field trips and summer camps
• Positive interaction with peers and the world around them

For the parents, the program provides parenting classes and an affordable program with dependable scheduling and flexible enrollment policies. For the community, the program provides a support network among local businesses, social services, school and families. ASCCEP has proven to be a tremendous success.

The target population is limited resource families who have children in grades K-8, whose academic performance is below their potential, as determined by classroom teachers, school administrators, parents and/or extended family members.

Since the beginning of the program, 927 youth have been served and over 75% of the student's academic performance, attendance records and self-esteem levels have improved as reported by classroom teachers, parents, and principals. ASCCEP seeks to fill the void, which routinely exists among the disadvantaged and disillusioned youth of today. It serves as a conduit to harness the resources of the communities back into itself and to build human capital and continue to invest in our most valuable natural resource -- children.

The After School Program is funded, in part, by the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), and the Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC). Federal support for tutors and field trips has been provided by a U. S. EPA Environmental Education Grant. The local school districts provide in-kind support such as physical space, technical support and updated information on curriculum changes.

The many communities we serve through the Extension System are recognizing the gains and successes of this educational program. We are convinced that After School Programming is a vital component in building our future generation -- OUR YOUTH!

CONTACT:

Orlenthea McGowan 1000 ASU Drive, #479 Lorman, MS 39096 Phone: 662-877-6559 or 6125 Fax: 662-877-6694