$100 Million in Grants Announced for New LEAPS After-School Program

A shot of Cassadaga Valley Middle & High School in Sinclairville, New York.Photo byPhoto by J.M. Lesinski

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul recently celebrated the allocation of approximately $100 million in state grant funding, dubbed the Learning and Enrichment After-School Program Supports (LEAPS) initiative, for after-school programs all across New York state. 

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, many children and youth were disconnected from after-school programming and lost out on this critical means to receive academic support and build stronger social connections,” Hochul stated of the funding. “This funding will give young people another safe space to grow and express themselves and assure parents that their child’s learning and development isn’t confined to school hours.”

LEAPS will officially combine existing Advantage and Empire State after-school programs into one streamlined program to standardize funding and overall eligibility. The grants will be distributed via the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). 

“OCFS is both excited and committed to help lead Governor Hochul’s mission to increase the number of high-quality, affordable child care programs that New York’s families deserve,” remarked New York State Office of Children and Family Services Acting Commissioner and Child Care Availability Task Force Co-Chair Suzanne Miles-Gustave of the funding. “LEAPS grants offer an opportunity to reinvigorate existing after-school programs and fund new ones so that more school-age children have equitable access to these invaluable services. Research shows that young people who participate in these programs have higher school attendance, achieve greater academic success and are less likely to be at risk for exposure to harmful influences.”

This year’s funding marks an increase of roughly $17.7 million over the previous year’s. Awards will likely be announced this coming April, with contracts for LEAPS officially slated to begin September 1st.