A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

American families understand the need for quality after-school opportunities. There are over 28 million children whose parents work outside the home. Many of these parents work because of economic necessity. However, too many of their children do not have access to affordable, supervised, and constructive activities during the hours after school. Indeed, experts estimate that there are at least five million "latchkey" children who come home each day to empty houses.

These children are at a higher risk for drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, delinquent behavior, violent victimization, and injury than their peers who are supervised after school. Statistics show that most juvenile crime is committed between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., with the largest number of offenses committed in the hours immediately following students' release from school.

We can no longer ignore the obvious. Our police chiefs have not. They believe that an investment in after-school programming is the best deterrent against juvenile crime and victimization. Children need safe and engaging opportunities between the last school bell and the end of the work day.

This report, Safe and Smart: Making After-School Hours Work for Kids, provides evidence of the impact that safe, enriching, and high-quality after-school opportunities can have on our children and youth. As parents today know, quality after-school programming means much more than babysitting. Children can acquire new skills and broaden their education. They can take part in computer classes and art and music courses; receive homework assistance, mentoring, and tutoring; and perform community service.

Millions of Americans, struggling to be both good parents and good workers, would like to rely on after-school programs during the work week. As part of his balanced budget request, the President called for significant new investments in child care--to build a good supply of after-school programs, help working families pay for child care, improve the safety and quality of care, and promote early learning--because the need is enormous.

We hope this report provides the motivation for others--parent leaders, communities, employers, local governments, schools, and faith communities--to develop or expand their own after-school programs because after-school opportunities make good sense.

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[Title page]

[Introduction]