Making After-School Programs a Political Priority in the 2004 General Election

This project aimed to make after-school quality issues a priority for state and local policymakers in the 2004 general election. Goals included 1) bringing a sharper focus to after-school programs as a discreet policy and program area, and 2) emphasizing quality programming in after-school services. Every Child Matters Education Fund strategically chose to focus on New Hampshire and West Virginia, setting up offices in both places. They met with children’s groups and state and local agencies, conducted surveys and polls, and worked with and familiarized themselves with after-school programs in both states. The knowledge gained in these two states helped to shape strategies in other states.