ATLANTA — The Department of Human Resources’ 270 After School and Summer Learning programs serve thousands of students across the state each year.
To make it more convenient for parents, students, schools, community organizations and others to connect to these programs, DHR’s Afterschool Services Program has launched a new Web site, www.afterschoolservices.net.
Those accessing the Web site will be able to view a wide range of information including funding opportunities, helpful resources and information on starting an after school or summer learning program and much more.
“We hear from parents and students alike about how these structured after school programs have made a real difference in their personal lives and in school,” said Malaika Mitchell, program director of the DHR Afterschool Services Program.
The primary components of the programs are academic enrichment activities, health education, physical activity and teen employment.
“We try to address the whole student and the programs are also significant economic supports for working families. We know that these programs work,” said Mitchell.
According to a 2007 evaluation of DHR funded after school programs by Georgia State University, students who attend have a more positive attitude about school and miss fewer days of school than students who don’t; most spend between two and four hours a week on homework and an average of three hours each week of leisurely reading; nearly 74 percent of parents with children in the program spend at least two hours a week helping with homework and more than half attend parent-teacher conferences regularly.
Only in its fourth year, the Afterschool Services Program has grown exponentially serving 13,000 students in 2004 to nearly 19,000 last year.
The program serves children from ages 6 to 19 with a special emphasis on low to moderate income families. Currently there are funded programs in 74 of Georgia’s 159 counties.
For more information visit the Afterschool Services Web site at www.afterschoolservices.net, or call 404-657-4651.
