U.S. Senator Susan Collins today announced that she has cosponsored bipartisan legislation to improve afterschool programs in rural communities throughout the nation. Senator Collins introduced the legislation along with Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR).
The Investment in After-School Programs Act of 2008 calls for a pilot program to establish or improve rural after-school programs through grant funding. Programs that successfully apply and meet requirements will receive a grant of $50,000 or more to make investments in projects or activities such as transportation, professional development, training, planning or increased access to technology, which are needed to create or strengthen rural after-school programs.
“It is important to provide children with an after school program that offers parents an option in providing a safe and enriching environment for their children after the school bell rings,” said Senator Collins. “This legislation will help ensure that children—regardless of income—have the ability to take part in local afterschool programs.”
Collins’ legislation has been endorsed by the National Afterschool Alliance, Save the Children, the National Rural Education Advocacy Coalition, and the American Association of School Administrators.
Earlier this year, Senator Collins was presented with a Leadership Award from the Afterschool Alliance.