Every day, California's afterschool programs help kids learn, grow, and thrive. While these programs change lives, keeping up with funding rules can distract educators from their most important work. We'll show you how to handle these requirements efficiently so you can spend more time with your students and less time with paperwork.

Federal Funding Sources and Compliance

The federal government supports afterschool programs through various funding streams, each with its specific compliance criteria and guidelines. Understanding these programs is essential for obtaining and maintaining funding. These federal funding sources fall into three categories: entitlement, discretionary, and block or formula programs.

21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC)

The 21st CCLC program opens doors for communities by funding learning centers that give kids a place to grow after the school day ends. These centers are especially vital in neighborhoods with limited resources, offering everything from homework help to art projects and supporting working families. They support not just students, but whole families through educational services. To keep the funding flowing, centers need to maintain a good mix of learning and fun activities, track who shows up, and show they're making a real difference in students' lives. Attendly's automated attendance tracking and reporting tools help you meet these requirements easily. This saves time and reduces the chance of mistakes.

Child Care and Development Fund

The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is a federal block grant program that helps low-income families access child care services, enabling them to work or participate in training or educational activities. The program aims to enhance the availability, affordability, and quality of child care for children up to age 13, and those with special needs up to age 19. While states have flexibility in utilizing CCDF funds, they must adhere to specific requirements. These include establishing income eligibility limits for families, not to exceed 85% of the state median income, and ensuring parental choice in selecting a child care provider. Furthermore, states must dedicate a portion of their CCDF funds to improve the quality of child care services through initiatives such as provider training, quality rating and improvement systems, and professional development programs. Lastly, the CCDF program mandates that child care providers meet health and safety standards, encompassing areas like preventing infectious diseases, ensuring building safety, and providing minimum health and safety training.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

TANF offers states considerable freedom in designing programs aimed at helping low-income and working families with children become self-sufficient. This includes providing direct financial assistance to eligible families. States may allow TANF funds to subsidize the cost of childcare, including school-age care programs that take place during the summer and after school hours. States may also utilize TANF funds to support prevention programming for older youth when school is out.

State Funding Sources and Compliance

California offers state-funded programs and grants like the After School Education and Safety (ASES) program. ASES provides important support for afterschool programs but also has specific requirements. ASES programs must fulfill specific requirements. They must also develop and regularly review program plans every three years, and collect and report data to the California Department of Education. 

The ASES program funds the founding of local after school education and enrichment programs. These programs are made through partnerships between schools and communities to offer literacy support, academic enrichment, and safe, constructive options for students in kindergarten through grade nine (K–9). 

The California Education Code requires prioritizing program funding for schools where at least 50 percent of elementary and middle/junior high students qualify for free or reduced-cost meals through the USDA school lunch program. Attendly simplifies this process by providing a centralized platform for managing student data, tracking attendance, and generating reports. For example, Attendly can help you easily track student attendance for ASES compliance as well as determining if student-ratio goals are being reached, ensuring you meet the program's priority funding requirements.

Program Quality

The California AfterSchool Network Quality Standards provide a framework for continuous quality improvement by outlining best practices in key areas. These standards encompass program management, staff qualifications, youth engagement, and family partnerships. Quality programs provide a safe and supportive environment, promote active and engaged learning, and encourage skill-building and youth leadership. They also prioritize healthy choices and behaviors, diversity, and equity. By adhering to these standards, afterschool programs can ensure they are effectively meeting the needs of the youth they serve and contributing to their overall well-being.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

If a program doesn't meet attendance reporting requirements for ASES, 21st CCLC, or ASSETs grants, it could face withheld funds or grant termination. In some cases, non-compliance can lead to program closure or legal action. For instance, if a program fails to meet licensing requirements related to staff qualifications or safety procedures, the California Department of Social Services could shut it down. 

Best Practices for Maintaining Compliance

Compliance is like maintaining a car—it needs regular attention to run smoothly. Create simple routines your team can follow, from tracking daily attendance to documenting student incidents. Keep a basic checklist for staff training and schedule regular program "health checks" to catch any issues early. Mark important deadlines on your calendar and use compliance tools to keep everything organized in one place. After all, staying on top of these details is more than just about following rules but about ensuring your program can serve the kids who count on you.