North Missouri Center for Youth and Families Executive Director Daniel Savage spoke about 21st Century Learning Center Funds at the After School for All Challenge Conference in Washington, D. C. this week.
Savage says the National After School Alliance sponsored the conference.
He explains that the alliance offers advocacy support and professional development to after school programs, such as the programs held at the Center for Youth and Families in Chillicothe.
Savage was selected to go to the conference to speak on 21st Century Learning Center Funds because he serves on the Missouri After School Network Leadership Team.
He says that President Donald Trump’s budget proposal eliminates 21st Century funding, which is the only dedicated for after school programs.
He believes losing those funds would be a detriment to after-school programs and children.
Savage says that he met with Missouri legislators to rally and talk about 21st Century Funds and keep them in the budget. He says this was the first time he attended the conference, and that it was great to be able to talk about the program in Chillicothe and the impact it has on children.
He notes that he has heard that the legislators heard and listened to the requests to keep the funding.
Savage says he also heard that the legislators believe in the programs and are confident they will be able to keep the funding in the budget.
