Molloy Announces Nearly $8.5M in Grants for After School Programs

Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced on Tuesday after-school grants totaling $8,490,000 for 26 programs in 18 school districts.   

Norwalk's Child Guidance Center of Mid-Fairfield County's Choices for Success After-school Program was selected for one of the grants from the State and will receive a total of $226,670 for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years.

Investments into high-quality after-school programs support academic achievement, improve school attendance and in-school behaviors of the participating students, according to a release from the Governor.

“Growing existing programs that work and creating new after-school options not only creates a safe environment for our young people, but further supports our ceaseless efforts to level the playing field and begin to eliminate the devastating achievement gap,” Governor Dannel P. Malloy said in the release.

The after-school grant program promotes after-school programs that operate while school is not in session.  These programs provide valuable educational enrichment and recreational activities for K-12 students.  Often located in elementary, secondary or other facilities, programs also assist working parents by providing a safe environment for students.

Programs can offer a wide range of services that support student learning such as tutoring, mentoring, homework help, and enrichment opportunities like hands-on science projects.  

Some programs offer opportunities for community service, music, art, sports and cultural activities.  

Other programs might offer youth development activities such as character education, counseling; or drug, violence and pregnancy prevention programs.

The State Department of Education selected the grant recipients through a competitive process that considered the strength of the proposal to address the needs of students in their community, promote parental and community engagement, provide academic enrichment, support the overall wellness of students, and demonstrate strong program organization.