Students acquired computer and other useful skills, and more parents volunteered. Nearly 5 million school-age children, starting at age 5, lack day care or any constructive activities after school.
Latchkey children are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as truancy and substance abuse.
Juvenile crime peaks between 3 and 8 p.m., tripling in these after-school hours. Local groups interested in working with the federation can receive financial support, volunteer services, leadership training and technical assistance. In exchange, local officials must document activities and keep statistics.