Shut Out: Inequitable Access to After School Programs Grows
More than 22 million children — mostly from low-income and families of color — face barriers to care after 3 p.m., according to a new report.
By Jessika Harkay | October 28, 2025Manny Padia’s first job with an Arizona summer program for children changed his life when a young boy asked if he would be his father.
“I had to let him know I couldn’t be his dad, but I could be his friend,” said Padia, 49.
The boy’s request made Padia, who was 18 at the time, realize the “impact that these programs make on young people,” and it’s stuck with him for over 30 years.
“Not every kid has both parents at home. Not every kid has somebody waiting for them at home after school. So, we give them a place to go,” said Padia, who currently serves as a recreation administrator in Arizona. “That’s what these programs mean to young people.”
That young boy was one of the lucky ones, a new study shows.
Thousands of American families, mostly low-income and families of color, face persistent barriers enrolling their children in after school and summer programs, according to a report released earlier this month from the nonprofit advocacy group .
The report found in a survey of more than 30,500 parents earlier this year about 77% who want to enroll their children in after school programs can’t — most citing cost, accessibility and availability as the main issues.
The “unmet demand” of after school programs affects about 22.6 million children and is expected to worsen unless states take action, according to the report, as President Donald Trump’s eliminates more than $1.3 billion in federal funds dedicated to these programs.
The report found that 96% of families in the highest income bracket enrolled their child in some type of out-of-school-activity, “including organized sports and special lessons,” which was 30 percentage points higher than families in the lowest income bracket.
Access to a variety of programs often comes at a cost high-income families can afford, while lower wealth communities are more dependent on programs that are subsidized by federal, state or local funding streams.
The report found that high income families spent about nine times more – about $6,500 per child – than low-income families who spend around $730 on average for after school programs. The spending gap has increased since 2020 when high-income families were outspending lower income families by five times as much, according to the report.
Though after school programs were one of the top investments when schools received an influx of COVID-19 funds to support learning loss, the report argued that “federal funding has not kept pace with demand” since – which limits opportunities and continues to shut families out.
“When families can’t access afterschool programs, we all pay a price. We cannot afford the opportunities lost for youth to realize their potential, for working parents to provide for their families,” wrote Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant and Lisa Lucheta, the organization’s board chair, in the report. “Millions of students are being left behind, costing our country dearly now and dampening our prospects for the future.”
Grant, at a news conference in mid-October, added that while federal funding is “only a small percentage of the overall spending in after school, it is absolutely key to helping our low-income families access programs in the after school world.”
The report also found:
- About 84% of low-income families, and 73% of middle-income families, don’t have access to after school programs compared to 59% of high-income families.
- About half of low- and middle-income parents would enroll their children in a program if it was readily accessible.
- Unmet demand is highest for Black, Latino and Native American children which has grown between 2020 and 2025 by seven, five and eight percentage points respectively.
Most parents surveyed recognized the benefits after school programs provide, ranging from keeping students off screens and out of trouble, developing better relationships with their peers and supporting mental health. But it’s often hard to find programs to fit their budgets or that are conveniently located.
Fifty-six percent of families said the cost of after school programs were “an important factor preventing them from enrolling their child.” Nearly half also said their child did not have transportation to and from the programs.
For families who did have their child enrolled in a program, a quarter of them said they had been on a waitlist; and more than 60% of those same parents said the wait was longer than a month.
“After school programs are seen as extra recreation programs … that are not necessary, not essential, but the harsh reality is that these programs provide so much development for young people,” Padia said. “When you talk about what these programs can provide to communities — it’s resources.”
The report cited the grant as the only “exclusive” federal funding stream into after school and summer programs.
Investment into the grant program, however, has remained the same since 2022. When adjusted for inflation, “the federal dollars going to support our low-income families has decreased,” Grant said.
Earlier this year, Trump’s administration withheld , which was later released to states. But advocates worry the money is on the chopping block again, which means state officials are being called upon to step up.
“There’s 27 states that have state funding streams. We want to get to all 50,” Grant said.
Washington D.C. in the largest percentage of students involved in programs, with 38% of K-12 students compared to the national average of 13%. D.C. also was named as the top leader in accessibility, which was defined by states that have prioritized funding for transportation and expanding opportunities in areas with limited options.
The report credited the city for its “significant investments,” in after school programming over the past eight years, including over $100 million of funding in its Office of Out of School Time Grants and Youth Outcomes.
Hawaii, South Dakota, California and Connecticut followed as top states with the highest percentage of students involved in out-of-school programs. Kansas, New Mexico, Alaska and South Dakota were also highlighted as states leading in accessibility.
Trump’s current budget proposal would consolidate 18 education grants, including the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, into one general $2 billion funding stream.
The Afterschool Alliance said the proposal, if passed, would cut funding for education programs .
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