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Time Sensitive Action Alert from Ignite Afterschool

• Organizations and Youth Worker - Talking Points
• Parents and Caregivers - Talking Points

Check out this URGENT REQUEST from our Statewide Afterschool Network Partner Ignite Afterschool   Hey, Minnesota youth work and afterschool community – we have reached a critical time at the MN State Legislature and we need you to take action. The House released their proposed education budget for the next 2-year biennium and, while they have direct appropriations for 2 specific afterschool programs, there is no funding for the Afterschool Community Learning Grant program (HF786).  It is critical legislators hear from you about why we need a source of funding accessible to all afterschool programs across the state.    Our silence also sends a message.  So- let’s be loud and clear! Legislators need to hear that there are many high-quality afterschool programs around the state that should have access to state funding. Regards, Kari Denissen Cunnien she/her Executive Director Ignite Afterschool Twitter: @IgniteMN | Facebook: IgniteAfterschool  www.igniteafterschool.org By the end of the day Friday April 9th-  DO THIS: Send an email to your representative in the House and tell them why the Afterschool Community Learning Grant program in HF786 is critical to ensure that your organization and others have access to funding for afterschool and summer youth programs.  (HOT TIP:  If you can’t lobby through your job, send your emails from your personal email address! You can advocate as a private citizen.) Send an email to:  The House of Representative member who represents YOU! (Find your rep here - find the person from the "MN House") CC on your email: rep.jim.davnie@house.mn (Chair, Ed Finance) rep.ruth.richardson@house.mn (Chair, Ed Policy) rep.rena.moran@house.mn (Chair, Ways and Means) rep.fue.lee@house.mn (Chief Author, HF786) SAY THIS:  First, it’s always best to send a personal note.  No one likes a form letter!  Take the below talking points and make them your own:

Organizations and Youth Worker - Talking Points

We are writing to ask that you consider an afterschool funding model that many programs can access. While the house budget bill has some support for specific afterschool programs, we would also like to see funding included for the Afterschool Community Learning Grant program (HF786) which ensures organizations like ours could access funding to support the young people and families in our community.  

At [x organization/program name] we support young people in [describe community/city/neighborhoods/county] through afterschool programming.  [provide 1 or 2 sentences describing the #s of youth you serve, demographics, and they type of programming you provide] 

If we received funding through the Afterschool Community Learning Grants we would [a sentence or two about what new funding would allow you to do- support more young people, support more opportunities for young people, better support whole families?]

As the budget process continues, we hope you will consider funding the Afterschool Community Learning Grant program so that our organization and others like ours can continue the great work we do with young people.

Thank you,

Parents and Caregivers - Talking Points

I am writing to ask that you ensure funding for the Afterschool Community Learning Grant program (HF786).

[Write one to two sentences about the number and ages of young people in your family.  What afterschool programs do they participate in and why is that program important to you and your child(ren).  If children in your family don’t have access to an afterschool program– what kinds of afterschool programs would you like to see your community?]

The Afterschool Community Learning Grant program ensures that afterschool programs in my community can apply and access funding.  Minnesota needs to ensure that a broad range of afterschool programs can receive funding.

Thank you,