Withholding of Federal Funding Jeopardizes Local Afterschool Program for Working Families

The federal government is withholding states’ 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) funding for local afterschool programs for the upcoming 25/26 school year. These funds were already allocated by Congress, but the current federal administration is not releasing the approved funds.

One of the programs affected by these cuts significantly impacts our local area. Middle Earth, a youth development nonprofit that has been serving children in Somerset County for over 50 years, operates a 21st CCLC Program that serves over 200 children in grades 3-8 in the Bound Brook and Manville school systems.

Thanks to federal funding administered by the state of New Jersey, their 21st CCLC program is free to low-income families and provides academic enrichment, homework help, physical activity, interest clubs, character education, STEM lessons, artistic opportunities, and field trips.

“My son is a student with disabilities, and I depend on the afterschool program at Middle Earth to ensure he is safely cared for until I can pick him up after work,” said one concerned parent in an email to staff at Middle Earth. “We live on the south side of Manville, and I would never feel comfortable with him walking home alone. He would have to cross several large streets without crossing guards, and due to his challenges with making quick, safe decisions in those situations, this poses a serious safety concern.”

As a result of the funds being withheld, over 10,000 sites serving nearly 1.4 million youth across the United States could shut down, leaving families scrambling for care. Four in five parents say that these programs help them keep their jobs and provide for their families. The administration has also proposed eliminating funding for afterschool programs in their FY26 budget.

In a national poll of registered voters by the Afterschool Alliance, nearly 9 in 10 voters say these programs give parents peace of mind, prevent risky behaviors, and help kids develop communication and social skills. More than 8 in 10 Republicans agreed that afterschool programs are a necessity. Decades of past research and studies have proven that children who participate in structured afterschool programs are more likely to: improve their grades, behave in school, develop better social skills, refuse alcohol and drugs, have higher self-confidence, and graduate on time.

Low-income, working families are in desperate need of quality, affordable childcare. Without Middle Earth’s 21st CCLC program, families will be forced to make tough choices between keeping their children safe, quitting their jobs, or breaking their tight budgets with expensive childcare. Businesses may lose productivity as valuable workers either leave the workforce or call out due to struggles with childcare.

Voters who are interested in preserving federal funding of afterschool programs are urged to sign the petitions on the website AfterschoolWorksForAmerica.org and to contact their elected officials. Calling or emailing your US Senators and Representatives, as well as your state legislators, is the best way to place pressure on the government to continue these services.

The 21st CCLC is only one of more than 10 different programs that Middle Earth provides in Somerset County to help youth develop into responsible self-sufficient members of the community. Although the 21st CCLC is the program currently at risk, over 90% of Middle Earth’s programs are funded through a variety of federal, state and local government grants and could be at risk in the future as more cuts are made.

Middle Earth guides youth in learning respect for themselves and others and in choosing positive alternatives to risky behaviors, while developing the skills to become productive and responsible adults. Their programs offer youth a safe environment where they can hang out with their friends, engage with caring adults who listen, prepare for employment or college, obtain tutoring, and volunteer for community service opportunities. Middle Earth also teaches youth basic life skills such as budgeting, cooking, employment readiness skills, and how to obtain a driver’s license, as well as positive decision-making skills, acceptance of consequences for their actions, and leadership skills. For more information about Middle Earth, visit www.MiddleEarthNJ.org. You can follow the nonprofit using the handle @MiddleEarthNJ on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.