SR121: SR121 Afterschool Day; recognize February 12, 2025

This resolution is a ceremonial statement from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It recognizes February 12, 2025, as Afterschool Day at the state capitol, marking the sixth annual event where the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network brings afterschool providers to the capitol to meet with lawmakers. The resolution describes the benefits of afterschool programs, citing survey data that about 18 percent of Georgia's school-aged youth currently participate in such programs while over 600,000 more would join if programs were available in their area. It also references the Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time (BOOST) grants program, a partnership between the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network that distributed about $85 million to afterschool and summer learning programs. The resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy to the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network.

• Formally recognizes February 12, 2025, as Afterschool Day at the Georgia state capitol.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network.
• Cites survey and program data about afterschool program participation and outcomes in Georgia, without creating any new funding, requirement, or agency action.
• Does not amend the Official Code of Georgia Annotated or create any binding legal obligation.

Afterschool program providers and networks such as 21st Century Community Learning Centers, YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, and 4-H; the Georgia Department of Education; the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network; and families and school-aged children who use or could use afterschool programs.

While the resolution carries no legal force or funding, it publicly highlights afterschool programs' role in Georgia and gives advocates a formal Senate acknowledgment they can point to when discussing programs like BOOST grants with lawmakers and the public.

• The whereas clauses describe benefits of afterschool programs, including improved academic performance, mental health, and family support.
• Cites the America After 3PM survey finding that about 18 percent of Georgia's school-aged youth are in afterschool programs, with room for 600,000 more to participate.
• References the BOOST grants program, a Georgia Department of Education and Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network partnership that distributed about $85 million and served 86,386 youth during the 2023-24 academic year and 82,827 during summer 2024.
• The resolving clause designates February 12, 2025, as Afterschool Day at the state capitol.
• A further resolution directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy to the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network.

1. 2025-02-05Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2025-02-04Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)Primary sponsor
• Bo Hatchett (R, SD-050)
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Bill Cowsert (R, SD-046)
• Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
• Kenya Wicks (D, SD-034)

• afterschool programs
• education funding
• youth programs
• state capitol recognition