This document offers specific instructions in how to engage your local legislators in site visits to illustrate the importance of after school programs. 

Elected officials represent the voice of the community especially when they make after school policy decisions. Likewise, after school programs provide valuable resources to parents, youth, schools and the communities they serve. Despite the many benefits of afterschool, these programs face budget cuts at the local, state and federal levels. For this reason, afterschool providers can become strong advocates for expanding and sustaining the many services their programs provide children, their families and the community. There are several ways to advocate for afterschool: phone calls, letters, email, news media and site visits. This toolkit will provide the user with a step-by-step process for connecting with your elected officials and organizing a site visit.