Demand for after school programming is massive across South Dakota. However, new data shows that demand nearly doubles the actual amount of programming available.
Data from the latest America After 3PM survey found significant demand for after school programming in the state. But barriers like money, availability and location are locking some families out.
Billy Mawhiney is the executive director of the South Dakota After School Network. He said after-hours programming is a meaningful investment for the state to consider.
“What they found is 8 out of 10 (students) increased in reading, 9 out of 10 students increased their math scores, and 100 percent of students reduced behaviors," Mawhiney said. "That’s comparing students in a program, versus students out of the program in one year.”
However, he understands the challenge of implementation.
“We all know budgets are tight and investments are tough, right? We know what that looks like and we know everyone is having a hard time, especially when we look all across the country," Mawhiney said. "But there is never a better investment than in families right now.”
He said in addition to improved test scores, investing in after school programming reduces both juvenile crime and increases production in the workplace for parents who don’t have to leave work early to take care of their children.
Mawhiney said the solution will take state and local buy-in and parents working with districts and their kids.
“The solution is an everyone issue," Mawhiney said. "It’s an economic issue, right? Youth care and child care workers show up to work so that everyone can go to work. It’s a cyclical problem that an entire community must dive in to do.”
The data found more than 64 thousand South Dakota families are looking for programs, but only 21,600 are enrolled in after school programing.