The AFTER SCHOOL Act would create a new federal grant program to fund after-school programs in counties with relatively high juvenile crime. The program, run by the Department of Justice (Attorney General), would award grants to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) or eligible nonprofit organizations to operate after-school activities for students in grades 6–12. Eligibility hinges on being located in counties where the most recent juvenile offense rate (the share of violent offenses by individuals 19 or younger) is at least 10%, according to FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. Grants would be distributed proportionally to the number of eligible students served, with an annual appropriation of $15 million for each of fiscal years 2026–2029. Programs must run after school and during out-of-session times and focus on educational objectives such as expanding learning opportunities, building foundational skills, fostering youth leadership, and providing a safe environment. Recipients would report annually on program reach and outcomes, and the Attorney General would summarize these reports for Congress.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a grants program funded by the federal government to operate after-school programs in high-juvenile-crime counties (juvenile offense rate ≥ 10% as defined by FBI UCR data).
- 2Eligible applicants are either (a) local educational agencies that serve secondary schools in qualifying counties or (b) 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations located in qualifying counties with experience running after-school programs.
- 3Funds are distributed proportionally based on the number of eligible students served, with a dedicated annual appropriation of $15 million for each fiscal year 2026–2029.
- 4Programs must operate after school (and when school is not in session) and have an educational focus, including expanding learning opportunities, building foundational skills, developing youth leadership, and providing a safe environment.
- 5Recipients must submit annual reports on schools and students served and program outcomes; the Attorney General must then report to Congress within 90 days of year-end.