Boxer Becomes Co-Chair of Bipartisan Senate Afterschool Caucus
Senator Barbara Boxer
Thanks Retiring Senator Christopher Dodd for His Leadership Promoting Afterschool Programs
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Christopher Dodd (D-CT) today announced that Senator Boxer will succeed Senator Dodd as co-chairman of the bipartisan Senate Afterschool Caucus in the 112th Congress.
Senator Boxer said, “I am grateful for Senator Dodd’s leadership in championing afterschool programs. I was proud to write the first major legislation investing in afterschool, which changed the lives of more than a million children this year thanks to a $1 billion federal investment. As co-chair of the Afterschool Caucus, I will keep fighting to increase funding for vital afterschool programs because too many children still come home to empty houses in the afternoon and too many families cannot afford to pay for afterschool care. ”
Senator Dodd said, “Afterschool programs are absolutely critical to the successful development of our children, which is why I have been so honored to be the co-chair of the Afterschool Caucus for the last ten years. This is a crucial time for afterschool programs, as our country fights its way out of an economic crisis and begins the hard task of reducing our deficit. But with more families and students in need of afterschool programs than ever before, we must ensure that they remain a priority and receive the resources they deserve. I’m confident that Senator Boxer will continue her incredible work on this important issue as the next co-chair of Afterschool Caucus.”
The Senate Afterschool Caucus works to build support for afterschool programs and increase resources for quality afterschool care. According to the Afterschool Alliance, 8.4 million children participated in afterschool programs during the 2009-2010 school year. However, 18.5 million children were unable to participate in an afterschool program even though their parents said they would enroll them in one if one were available.
Studies show that afterschool programs keep children safe, improve their learning and help working families.
