Georgia 2023-2024 Regular Session

Georgia Senate Bill SR587 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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