| 1 | 1 | | 25 LC 112 2778 |
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| 2 | 2 | | Senate Resolution 121 |
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| 3 | 3 | | By: Senators Strickland of the 42nd, Hatchett of the 50th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Cowsert |
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| 4 | 4 | | of the 46th, Jones II of the 22nd and others |
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| 5 | 5 | | A RESOLUTION |
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| 6 | 6 | | Recognizing February 12, 2025, 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 improve youth mental health by promoting healthy habits,9 |
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| 16 | 16 | | developing positive decision-making skills, and building resiliency and coping skills; and10 |
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| 17 | 17 | | WHEREAS, afterschool programs support working families and build stronger communities11 |
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| 18 | 18 | | by ensuring children are safe and productive after the regular school day ends and involving12 |
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| 19 | 19 | | parents, community leaders, businessmen, and adult volunteers in the lives of young people;13 |
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| 20 | 20 | | and14 |
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| 21 | 21 | | S. R. 121 |
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| 22 | 22 | | - 1 - 25 LC 112 2778 |
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| 23 | 23 | | WHEREAS, the America After 3PM survey indicates that approximately 18 percent of |
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| 24 | 24 | | 15 |
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| 25 | 25 | | Georgia's school-aged youth are in after-school programs, but over 600,000 more of16 |
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| 26 | 26 | | Georgia's youth would participate in an afterschool program if one was available in their17 |
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| 27 | 27 | | community; and18 |
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| 28 | 28 | | WHEREAS, Georgia is committed to preparing our youth for the jobs of tomorrow, and19 |
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| 29 | 29 | | after-school programs provide opportunities for college readiness; career exploration,20 |
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| 30 | 30 | | especially in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); and expanded21 |
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| 31 | 31 | | learning opportunities that help youth gain hands-on experience and foster skills including22 |
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| 32 | 32 | | communication, teamwork, and consensus building; and23 |
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| 33 | 33 | | WHEREAS, the Georgia Department of Education partnered with the Georgia Statewide24 |
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| 34 | 34 | | Afterschool Network to establish the Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time25 |
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| 35 | 35 | | (BOOST) grants program to distribute approximately $85 million to afterschool and summer26 |
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| 36 | 36 | | learning programs utilizing evidence-based practices and whole child supports; and27 |
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| 37 | 37 | | WHEREAS, the BOOST grants program supported organizations operating in 115 Georgia28 |
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| 38 | 38 | | counties that served 86,386 young people during the 2023-24 academic year and 82,82729 |
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| 39 | 39 | | young people during the summer of 2024; and30 |
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| 40 | 40 | | WHEREAS, there are many public and private entities providing quality programming, such31 |
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| 41 | 41 | | as 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Division of Family and Children Services Out32 |
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| 42 | 42 | | of School Services program, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental33 |
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| 43 | 43 | | Disabilities Prevention Clubhouses, 4-H, YMCAs, and Boys and Girls Clubs; and34 |
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| 44 | 44 | | WHEREAS, the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network, a public-private collaborative, has35 |
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| 45 | 45 | | convened these organizations and after school providers from across the state for the sixth36 |
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| 46 | 46 | | S. R. 121 |
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| 47 | 47 | | - 2 - 25 LC 112 2778 |
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| 48 | 48 | | annual Afterschool Day at the state capitol to encourage lawmakers to recognize the critical |
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| 49 | 49 | | 37 |
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| 50 | 50 | | role afterschool programs play in preparing Georgia's youth for success in college, career,38 |
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| 51 | 51 | | and life.39 |
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| 52 | 52 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body40 |
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| 53 | 53 | | recognize February 12, 2025, as Afterschool Day at the state capitol.41 |
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| 54 | 54 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed42 |
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| 55 | 55 | | to make a copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Georgia Statewide43 |
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| 56 | 56 | | Afterschool Network.44 |
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| 57 | 57 | | S. R. 121 |
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| 58 | 58 | | - 3 - |
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