The Indiana Afterschool Network’s Snapshot on Advocacy

1. The Indiana Afterschool Network’s Snapshot on Advocacy Effectively Advocating for Indiana’s Out-Of-School Time Programs

2. IAN: Mobilizing Support For Indiana’s Out-Of-School Time Programs • Vision: Indiana Afterschool Network (IAN) works to ensure that all Indiana children have access to affordable, quality afterschool programs Mission: To engage public will to increase public and private investment in quality afterschool program initiatives throughout Indiana. www.indianaafterschool.org

3. Afterschool Programs DEFINITION: Afterschool programs offer a wide range of learning and enrichment activities that promote the physical, emotional, cognitive and social development of children and youth.Afterschool is an all inclusive term for youth development programming that occurs beyond the school day, including before school, after school, holidays, weekends and summers. Some schools are integrating “afterschool” youth development programs into the school day as well.

4. The Need For Quality Out-Of-School Time Programs In Our State In Indiana, 30% (332,642) of K-12 youth are responsible for taking care of themselves after school. Of all Indiana children not currently enrolled in afterschool, 36% (364,109) would be likely to participate IF an afterschool program were available in their community. 87% of parents in Indiana are satisfied with the afterschool program their child attends. 10% (112,379) of Indiana's K-12 children participate in afterschool programs, including 18,828 kids in programs supported by the U.S. Department of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative, the only federal program dedicated to afterschool. Out-of-school time programs keep kids safe. Juvenile crime is greatest from 3pm to 6pm in the hours afterschool while parents are at work. Children who participate in OST programs are less likely to use drugs, become teen parents, or become victims or perpetrators of crime (Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, 2002). Out-of-school time programs inspire learning. OST programs during the school year can add 540 additional learning experiences – equivalent to the number of hours in 72 school days. Research at Johns Hopkins demonstrates that 2/3 of achievement gap between high and low income students can be turned around through equal access to high quality summer learning programs.

5. Additionally, Quality Out-Of-School Time Programming: • Provides sufficient time for meaningful, active, and collaborative learning. • Ensures quality in programs by utilizing evidence-based practices. • Provides enrichment and acceleration opportunities. • Taps into the expertise of valueable community partners. • OST programs employ principles of positive youth development to provide opportunities for social and emotional development, leadership, and improved health and wellness. • Focus on results in that measure desired yth outcome and program outcomes.

6. What Is Public Policy? • Public policy can be generally defined as the course of action (or inaction) taken by the a government entity with regard to a particular issue. It can also be defined as a system of "courses of action, regulatory measures, laws, and funding priorities concerning a given topic promoted by a governmental entity or its representatives. • Additionally, shaping public policy is a complex and multifaceted process that involves the interplay of numerous individuals and interest groups competing and collaborating to influence policymakers to act in a particular way.

7. Why Is Public Policy Is Important to the Out-of-School Time Community? • Most OST programs are funded publically, through a state or federal budgetary process that determines the number and availability of OST programs and children served. • OST programs are often governed by state and federal rules and regulations, and are effected by new laws, program implementations, and policy changes. • It is imperative to stay current on OST issues and how they are effected by funding, regulatory, and legal actions. • OST programs are cost-effective, valuable, and highly beneficial to the development of Indiana’s youth - and it is important for the OST community to “have a place at the table”.

8. As An Out-of-School Time Supporter, What Can You Do? • Advocate! Your elected representatives need to hear from you! You have the right and responsibility to speak up about the issues important to you, and advocacy is the process of promoting change effectively! • Participate in IAN/DOE’s ‘Spring Training’ event in early 2011. • Raise awareness about the importance of OST programs in your community. • Educate yourself on the successes, needs, and challenges that OST programs face in your community, throughout Indiana, and the rest of the country.

9. Who To Contact? • Contact your elected officials. Click on the sites below to find your Congressional representatives in the House www.house.gov/writerep or Senate www.senate.gov, or find your Indiana elected officials here www.in.gov/legislative/legislators/. • You can call, write, or meet with your elected representatives. These officials need to hear from you, as they rely on constituents, groups, and lobbyists to provide them with information. Remember, you are the expert!

10. How To Advocate Effectively • Know when to establish contact. There are certain times in the legislative process when advocacy efforts can have greater effect: • Before a committee hearing. • Before a vote. • While legislation is being drafted, or immediately following its introduction. • Know the Facts. Do your research, on both the issue and the representative you are meeting with. Where does the representative stand on this issue? What is his/her voting record? How does this initiative impact his/her district?

11. Advocating Effectively (Cont)…….. • Be specific, and know your ‘ask’. If you are in support of a bill, be sure to have the bill number. If you have an ‘ask’ of the legislator, be sure to use language that will ensure your message is coming across with clarity. • Be yourself. Remember, elected officials need to hear from you, because you are the expert! • Make it personal. Show the representative why you value OST programs. Tell your personal story - what impact have they made on your life? How does your child or the children in your program benefit from OST participation? • Be concise. You want your message to be clear, thoughtful, and brief. • Build a relationship. This is a major part of advocacy. Build a solid relationship with the representative or his/her staff. Be friendly, respectful, and stay in contact!

12. The 2011 Indiana General Assembly After the November 2010 elections, the political landscape of the Indiana General Assembly has shifted significantly. Beginning on the first day of session, January 5, 2011, Republicans will enjoy a super majority, with Republican control of the Governor’s office, the House, and the Senate. The Senate has such a large majority, that the chamber can conduct business without a single Democrat on the floor. The Indiana General Assembly met on November 16th for Organization Day, when legislators elected caucus leadership for the upcoming session: - House Speaker Brian Bosma (R) -House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer (D) -Senate President Pro Tempore David Long (R) -Senate Minority Leader Vi Simpson (D)

13. 2011 Indiana General Assembly (Cont.)…. The upcoming legislative session is considered a ‘long’ session, due to the fact that the legislature will be responsible for crafting a biennial budget, which will likely push the session longer into the year. Legislators must finish their work by April 29,2011. Key issues to be considered by the 2011 Indiana General Assembly include: -2011 – 2013 Indiana state budget. -Congressional and State Legislature redistricting - Education Reform -Unemployment Insurance Fund -Local Government Reform

14. Let Us Know What Advocacy Issues Are Important To You The Indiana Afterschool Network is here to help! If OST program providers have specific policy objectives or needs, we want to know about them! IAN is here to help, and to advocate on behalf of Indiana’s OST community to ensure that our state’s K-12 youth have access to quality and affordable programming. Please let us know how we can help, or if you have any questions, b y contacting Andrew Black at ablack@indianaafterschool.org, or by phone at 317-920-0181.