Utah Afterschool Network asks legislature for $10 million ongoing to close funding gap
Loading...
Summary
Ben Chunselman told the appropriations subcommittee the state faces nearly $29 million in unmet after‑school and summer program funding and requested $10,000,000 ongoing to expand access and sustain providers, estimating support for 3,000–5,000 children.
Ben Chunselman, executive director of the Utah Afterschool Network, told the Economic and Community Development Appropriations Subcommittee that public funding for after‑school and summer programs has eroded and that the state now faces about $29 million in unmet funding requests.
"These unmet requests represent programs that met eligibility and quality requirements but could not be funded due to limited available dollars," Chunselman said, and asked the committee to support a $10,000,000 ongoing appropriation distributed through competitive grants to reach programs that missed federal awards.
Chunselman told legislators the investment would stabilize providers, expand access to safe out‑of‑school supervision, and reduce cost pressures on families; he said the funding could support up to 40 additional programs and serve approximately 3,000–5,000 children.
A committee member asked whether the funds would be split between school‑year and summer programs; Chunselman said allocation would be determined by applicant need and that school‑year demand typically draws the larger share.
The request will be included in the committee’s voting materials for a forthcoming vote.
