21CCLC Blog

Receiving government funding for your after-school program is contingent on how well a 21st Century Community Learning Center’s (21CCLC) data is organized and reported. Reporting inaccurate data can cost after-school programs hundreds of thousands of dollars and put them in jeopardy of having funding withheld. However, there are many ways to keep important data organized, helping after-school programs ensure continued funding, and possibly even help programs receive future funding increases.

While education — especially K-12 — doesn’t often dominate the national conversation the way other hot-button social issues tend to, it’s slowly becoming a larger focal point for the nation as a whole. Changes in education are something educators are already familiar with, and are all handled in different ways, depending on the school district or program. The current administration has voiced support for school choice, but not necessarily full funding of public education programs, which will begin to change the national landscape as more legislation is passed. While the White House’s proposed budget aims to cut 21CCLC funds entirely, it is extremely unlikely this will happen, as Congress has already agreed to fund this program for the next several years.  

Funding is inarguably one of the biggest concerns for any 21CCLC program director. When it comes to securing funding for the future, whether in one year, three years, or five years, making sure after school programs maintain their funding is imperative.