Save The 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program 
The President’s proposed budget eliminates federal funding specifically for local afterschool and summer programs—putting 1 in 5 children at risk of losing access nationwide. Do you rely on these programs to keep kids safe, supported, and engaged? Without action from Congress, vital programs serving 1.4 million youth across the country could shut down. Schools, community groups, parks, and recreation centers that run these programs will be hit hard by these cuts.
ICC stands with New Jersey’s Afterschool & Out-of-School-Time Professional Network (NJSACC) and encourages support to save 21CLCC.
What Is 21CLCC?
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program in New Jersey is a federally funded initiative under Title IV, Part B of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Administered by the New Jersey Department of Education, it supports out-of-school-time programs—including before-school, after-school, and summer sessions—for students across the state. 21CLCC centers provide academic enrichment to help students meet state academic standards. They also offer a wide range of services and activities, such as:
- Youth development and service learning
- Nutrition and health education
- Drug and violence prevention
- Counseling
- Arts, music, and physical fitness
- Technology and financial literacy
- Environmental education
- STEM and career/technical programs
- Internships and apprenticeships for high school students
These programs are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic curriculum and are available when school is not in session.
Why 21st Century Community Learning Centers Is Important?
The 21CLCC program is crucial for several reasons:
- Academic Support: It assists students, particularly those in low-performing schools, in meeting challenging state academic standards through enrichment and tutorial services.
- Holistic Development: By offering a broad array of activities, the program supports the overall development of students, including their physical, emotional, and social well-being.
- Family Engagement: The program provides families with opportunities for active and meaningful engagement in their children’s education, including literacy programs.
Overall, 21CLCC plays a vital role in supporting students’ academic achievement and personal growth, while also fostering family involvement in education.
These programs are not optional. They are essential infrastructure for youth development, workforce participation, and community stability.
Here’s How You Can Take Action
- Contact Congress now to protect kids afterschool and keep 21st CCLC funding. Sign The Petition.
- Send a Message to Lawmakers. Use our Digital Call to Action tool to contact your legislators directly.
- Start a Letter Writing Campaign. Use NJSACC’s customizable Letter Writing Templates to write to your elected officials and urge them to establish the NJ OST Advisory Commission.
- Sign On in Support. Organizations and providers can add their names to our Sign-On Letter calling on legislators to establish the NJ OST Advisory Commission.
- Get Action Alerts. Sign up for NJSACC’s newsletter, The Flash, to receive real-time updates on OST legislation, upcoming events, and timely calls to action. Subscribe here.
- Advocacy Updates. Stay tuned for upcoming NJSACC-hosted advocacy briefings and policy updates during our Afterschool Conversations sessions throughout the year. These virtual gatherings are an opportunity to learn about current OST legislation, share stories, and connect with advocates statewide.
