1 | 1 | | 24 LC 128 0194 |
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2 | 2 | | Senate Resolution 587 |
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3 | 3 | | By: Senators Dixon of the 45th, Still of the 48th, Payne of the 54th, Sims of the 12th, James |
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4 | 4 | | of the 35th and others |
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5 | 5 | | A RESOLUTION |
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6 | 6 | | Recognizing February 14, 2024, as Afterschool Day at the state capitol; and for other |
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7 | 7 | | 1 |
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8 | 8 | | purposes.2 |
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9 | 9 | | WHEREAS, afterschool programs provide innovative hands-on opportunities for youth to3 |
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10 | 10 | | re-engage in their learning and connect with caring adults and peers in a safe and supportive4 |
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11 | 11 | | environment; and5 |
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12 | 12 | | WHEREAS, afterschool programs improve academic performance and outcomes by6 |
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13 | 13 | | increasing school day attendance, reducing grade retention, and improving classroom7 |
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14 | 14 | | behavior; and8 |
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15 | 15 | | WHEREAS, afterschool programs support working families and build stronger communities9 |
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16 | 16 | | by ensuring children are safe and productive after the regular school day ends and involving10 |
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17 | 17 | | parents, community leaders, businessmen, and adult volunteers in the lives of young people;11 |
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18 | 18 | | and12 |
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19 | 19 | | WHEREAS, the America After 3PM survey indicates that approximately 18 percent of13 |
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20 | 20 | | Georgia's school-aged youth are in after-school programs, but over 600,000 more of14 |
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21 | 21 | | S. R. 587 |
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22 | 22 | | - 1 - 24 LC 128 0194 |
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23 | 23 | | Georgia's youth would participate in an afterschool program if one was available in their |
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24 | 24 | | 15 |
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25 | 25 | | community; and16 |
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26 | 26 | | WHEREAS, the America After 3PM survey indicates that 238,265 children aged 5 to 1717 |
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27 | 27 | | years old in Georgia were alone and unsupervised between the hours of 3 P.M. and 6 P.M.18 |
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28 | 28 | | in 2019; and19 |
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29 | 29 | | WHEREAS, Georgia is committed to preparing our youth for the jobs of tomorrow, and20 |
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30 | 30 | | after-school programs provide opportunities for college readiness; career exploration,21 |
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31 | 31 | | especially in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); and expanded22 |
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32 | 32 | | learning opportunities that help youth gain hands-on experience and foster skills including23 |
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33 | 33 | | communication, teamwork, and consensus building; and24 |
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34 | 34 | | WHEREAS, the Georgia Department of Education partnered with the Georgia Statewide25 |
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35 | 35 | | Afterschool Network to establish the Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time26 |
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36 | 36 | | (BOOST) grants program to distribute approximately $85 million to afterschool and summer27 |
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37 | 37 | | learning programs utilizing evidence-based practices and whole child supports; and28 |
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38 | 38 | | WHEREAS, the BOOST grants program supported organizations, operating in 112 Georgia29 |
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39 | 39 | | counties, that served 79,911 young people during the 2022-23 academic year and 86,92430 |
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40 | 40 | | people during the summer of 2023; and31 |
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41 | 41 | | WHEREAS, there are many public and private entities providing quality programming, such32 |
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42 | 42 | | as 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Division of Family and Children Services Out33 |
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43 | 43 | | of School Services program, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental34 |
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44 | 44 | | Disabilities Prevention Clubhouses, 4-H, YMCAs, and Boys and Girls Clubs; and35 |
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45 | 45 | | S. R. 587 |
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46 | 46 | | - 2 - 24 LC 128 0194 |
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47 | 47 | | WHEREAS, the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network, a public-private collaborative, has |
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48 | 48 | | 36 |
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49 | 49 | | convened these organizations and after school providers from across the state for the fifth37 |
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50 | 50 | | annual Afterschool Day at the state capitol to encourage lawmakers to recognize the critical38 |
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51 | 51 | | role afterschool programs play in preparing Georgia's youth for success in college, career,39 |
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52 | 52 | | and life.40 |
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53 | 53 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body41 |
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54 | 54 | | recognize February 14, 2024, as Afterschool Day at the state capitol.42 |
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55 | 55 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed43 |
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56 | 56 | | to make a copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Georgia Statewide44 |
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57 | 57 | | Afterschool Network.45 |
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58 | 58 | | S. R. 587 |
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59 | 59 | | - 3 - |
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