Often the amount parents are willing to pay varies based on their income. Parents listed art and music activities, computer lessons, and community service as activities beneficial to their children, and in which they are very interested in having their children participate. Currently, community based organizations, youth serving agencies, and child care centers provide the bulk of services. Community organizations provide a broad range of programs, but they often function with less than adequate resources and little access to community services. Some of these organizations have existed for many years and offer high quality programs, where children have time to relax, make friends, do their homework and develop talents and skills, thereby extending their learning.
All programs struggle to meet the many expectations of parents, schools, and communities.
Parents want a safe place for their children to be while they are at work. They want enriching experiences for their children. Police departments want children and especially youth to be safe and to stay out of mischief. High quality after-school programs can do all this and more. The new federal funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers shines the spotlight on an on-going debate.