The California AfterSchool Network (CAN) commends the Governor for his dedication to transformative investments in public education in the May Revision, in particular the investments into Expanded Learning programs, despite California facing a significant budget deficit. At CAN we envision compassionate communities that collaborate with expanded learning/out-of-school time (OST) programs to support whole children, families, and communities so that every young person and every family is well-known, well-cared for, and prepared to thrive. This budget represents significant investments that help us move towards that vision. 

With this updated budget proposal, the Governor upholds his commitment by maintaining the allocation of $4 billion in ongoing funding to the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P). Further demonstrating this commitment, the proposal includes statutory changes extending the expenditure/encumbrance deadline for ELO-P funds received in 2021-22 and 2022-23 from June 30, 2023, to June 30, 2024. We look forward to collaborating with the Governor and the Legislature in the future to increase ELO-P funding to the full $5 billion commitment. This funding, along with After School and Safety (ASES) and 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC), including After School Safety & Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs), funding will enable us and our multi-sector partners to provide comprehensive programs that meet the needs of ALL students.

$1 Billion in additional funding could support the following: 

• Increasing minimum apportionments from $50,000 to a minimum of $100K to ensure school districts have enough funding to provide quality programming for every school day and 30 non-school days. 
• Additional resources and support for small and rural communities (e.g. transportation and broadband access).
• Serving our youngest children (in Transitional Kindergarten/Kindergarten) with well-trained staff, and age-appropriate programming and facilities.
• Providing a continuum of care and support for all stages of child and youth development by ensuring older youth also have equitable access to high-quality Expanded Learning programs and ensuring inclusive access to programs so that youth of all learning and developmental capacities can benefit from these programs. 
• Data collection that demonstrates the positive impacts high-quality Expanded Learning programs have on our youth and communities.
• Investments in technical assistance and other infrastructure supports to ensure programs offered are high-quality, grounded in research that supports positive outcomes for our youth and communities.
• Supporting workforce pathways into, through, and beyond the Expanded Learning field that build out a high-quality workforce that are necessary to ensure quality programs. 

With these additional investments, our state will move much closer to the desired vision of universal access to high-quality Expanded Learning for all children and youth in California.