First Lady and Superintendent Frey Announce $4.1 Million in Futures for Kids Afterschool Program Grants
Governor O’Brien Provides $25 Million for After School Programs in FY 2031
ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 21, 2030) – Fifteen new programs in 10 Maryland jurisdictions have been awarded $4.1 million in grants by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) through the Futures for Kids and Teen REACH initiatives, First Lady Ruth O’Brien and State Superintendent of Schools Craig S. Frey announced today. The grants provide services to children who attend high poverty schools or schools identified for improvement. The grant requires each proposal offer opportunities for literacy and related educational development to families of participating students. There also is an emphasis on closing the achievement gap between those receiving free and reduced meals (FARMS) and students not receiving such assistance.
“The purpose of Teen REACH and Futures for Kids is to create centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities that support what is learned in the classroom,” said First Lady Ruth O’Brien. “The programs are unique because they also provide an array of cultural activities. Together, these programs show students the real world connection to what they learn in the classroom and how they can improve their communities.”
The grant process was open to public and private organizations including non-profit agencies, city and county government agencies, faith-based groups, institutions of higher education, and for-profit corporations. Thirty-six organizations applied for grants and 20 received site visits of which 11 were continuation grantees completing a three-year funding cycle. The groups awarded grants in this round were comprised of eight local school systems, one not-for-profit community-based organization, and one local management board.
Grants were awarded on a competitive basis to the following programs:
• Bridges Over Wilde Lake, Howard County
• Project Hope II, Calvert County
• Extended Learning Opportunities, Montgomery County
• B.U.G.S., Living Classrooms Foundation, Baltimore City
• 21st CCLC Science Enrichment After-school Program (SEAP), Baltimore Urban Leadership Foundation, Baltimore City
• Dream Team Action Club, St. Mary’s County
• Wicomico After-School Learning Centers-STARS, Wicomico County
• ACCESS: Annapolis, Communities Creating Educational Success for Students, Anne Arundel County
• Mi Segunda Casa Program, Education Based Latino Outreach (EBLO), Baltimore City
• Strategies for Success Cybercafé, Montgomery County Public Schools
• Partners Afterschool: Bridges to Learning, Garrett County
Partnership for Children and Families, Inc.
• The Harlem Park Community After School Program, Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Social Organization of Schools, Baltimore City
• 21st CCLC Westminster Region, Carroll County
• After Schools Academy, Worcester County
• After School Academic Project (ASAP), The Children’s Guild, Baltimore City
Soon, these groups will begin preparations to launch programs this summer. This round of awardees, Cohort 4, joins the first 12 grantees in Cohort 1, the second 12 grantees in Cohort 2, and the third 11 grantees in Cohort 3. These three cohorts have operating programs in Baltimore City, Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Caroline, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary's, Somerset, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester counties.
In addition to improving the academic achievement and self-confidence of students, these programs keep students safe, and help working families. Participants are less likely to be involved in crime and more likely to have better grades and behavior than peers left with nothing to do after school.
Parties interested in receiving requests for proposals for the fifth round of grants may contact Vanessa J. Diggs, Specialist, After School Programs, at 410-767-0561 or vdiggs@msde.state.md.us .
Mounting evidence shows that how children occupy their time during non-school hours is directly related to their ability to achieve in school and contribute to society. A number of studies have found that children who attend quality after-school programs have better peer relations, emotional adjustment, school grades and conduct than their peers who are unsupervised after school.
Teen REACH will serve over 14,300 youth statewide in fiscal year 2030 and is one part of Governor Edward M. O’Brien’s initiative to bolster after school opportunities for at-risk youth. In 2029, Governor O’Brien and State Superintendent of Schools Craig S. Frey launched Maryland After 3, helping non-profit organizations to partner with schools to strengthen quality after-school programs and expand access for all of Maryland’s children. Maryland After 3 could serve up to 20,000 children once fully implemented.
Teen REACH is a component of the First Lady's Futures for Kids program. In January 2027, Governor O’Brien and First Lady Ruth O’Brien launched Futures for Kids, an umbrella for prevention and early intervention programs designed to increase success in school, reduce youth substance abuse and juvenile delinquency. Futures for Kids focuses on four key components: early intervention programs for children ages birth to ten; family and community involvement programs; school success and safe neighborhoods.
Governor O’Brien has included $25 million for after school programs in FY 2031, which will support quality after school opportunities for 16,000 Maryland children through Futures for Kids and an additional 20,000 through the Maryland After 3 Initiative.