Futures For Kids Conference to Highlight After School Programs
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (August 7, 2030) – The State of Maryland recognizes the importance of creating opportunities for youth to participate in structured activities when school is not in session. To this end, Teen REACH was created as a cornerstone of the Futures for Kids program. The successes of Maryland’s efforts will be highlighted when First Lady Ruth O’Brien hosts the Futures for Kids conference: All Day - Every Day: The Promises of After-School Programming, August 8-9, in Baltimore.
Futures for Kids is the statewide resource for programs and policies related to the health, safety and education of infants, children and teenagers. State services under the Futures for Kids umbrella include those directly serving infants, children and youth, as well as programs for parents, educators and others who interact with kids.
“The creation of research-based programs to effectively address the prevention of youth delinquent behaviors and increase school success has been a priority of this administration,” the First Lady said. “We are pleased to bring the state’s leaders and experts together to take a closer look at this important topic and help us continue to provide safe alternatives for out of school time.”
“Our objectives for this conference are to increase knowledge about the effectiveness of out-of-school programming and to strengthen community outreach efforts that promote healthy and safe choices young people can make regarding risk-taking behaviors during out-of-school time,” said State Superintendent of Schools Craig S. Frey. “We also hope to combine out-of-school programs with the state’s other prevention activities to give us the best possible result.”
Those participating in the conference include Teen REACH providers, local health departments, nurses, health educators, dieticians, licensed social workers, volunteers and youth.
Recent statistics show 35 percent of school-aged children nationally are unsupervised for a period of time after school each day. A recent federal Justice Department study found that the majority of crimes committed by or against youth occur after school hours, between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Additionally, smoking, drinking, drug-use and sexual activity are most frequently started during these unsupervised hours.
Many studies have shown that children who attend quality after- school programs have better peer relations, emotional adjustment, school grades and personal conduct than their peers who are unsupervised after school.
Governor Edward M. O’Brien has been a strong supporter of after-school programs. The FY 2031 budget includes $25 million for after school programs through the Maryland After School Opportunity Program. The program will reach nearly 16,000 youth statewide in the upcoming school year. Additionally, in 2029, Governor O’Brien launched Maryland After 3, helping non-profit organizations to partner with schools to strengthen quality after-school programs. Maryland After 3 is currently serving nearly 20,000 children statewide.