Reps. Hart, Murphy, Taub, Phillips, Steil, Kooiman, Hager, Huizenga, Anderson, Brown, Caswell, Clack, Dennis, DeRossett, Ehardt, Gillard, Hardman, Hopgood, Jamnick, Lipsey, Meisner, Meyer, Minore, Paletko, Palmer, Pappageorge, Pastor, Sak, Shaffer, Shulman, Smith, Stallworth, Stewart, Tobocman, Vander Veen, Voorhees, Wenke and Woodward offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 26.

            A resolution to direct the Department of Education and the Family Independence Agency to convene a task force to develop quality after-school programs for all Michigan children.

            Whereas, Current studies about what happens to unsupervised children indicate that, when left alone, these children have higher absentee rates at school; have lower academic test scores; exhibit higher levels of fear, stress, nightmares, loneliness, and boredom; are 1.7 times more likely to use alcohol; and are 1.6 times more likely to smoke cigarettes; and

            Whereas, Recent data shows that in communities around this state, the violent juvenile crime rate soars in the hours immediately after the school bell rings, and children are most likely to be victims of a violent crime committed by a non-family member between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.; and

            Whereas, Research indicates that children who attend high quality after-school programs have better peer relations, emotional adjustment, conflict resolution skills, grades, and conduct in school compared to their peers who are not in after-school programs; and

            Whereas, Children who attend after-school programs spend more time in learning opportunities, academic activities, and enrichment activities and spend less time watching television than their peers; and

            Whereas, In one study, children who attended an after-school program missed fewer days of school, had better homework completion rates, better school behavior, and higher test scores; and

            Whereas, Polls show that 92% of Americans believe there should be organized activities for children and teens during after-school hours; and

            Whereas, As working parents can attest, child care concerns are not over once children are old enough to go to school.  A parent who is employed full time can be away from home an average of 2,400 hours a year.  Children spend less than half of that time in school.  If their children participate in a quality school-age care program or another organized out-of-school-time activity, parents can rest easy because they know that their children are safe and supervised; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we direct the Department of Education and the Family Independence Agency to convene and co-chair a task force, to be known as the Michigan After-school Initiative, to develop a plan to ensure quality after-school programs for every school-age child in the state.  The Michigan After-school Initiative shall be comprised of other related state agencies and private organizations representing violence prevention organizations, parents, park districts, special needs populations, private foundations, civic and cultural organizations, community-based youth service providers, law enforcement, education, local voluntary organizations, faith-based communities, health, evaluation, and research institutions, child and youth advocacy groups, alcohol, tobacco, and substance abuse prevention professionals, and mental health interests; and be it further

            Resolved, That the activities of the Michigan After-school Initiative shall include (i) an assessment of the state of after-school services in this state, including identification of the number of children and youth served statewide in after-school programs, identification of the number and location of children and youth who are in need of after-school programs, and identification of the various funding streams currently supporting after-school programs, and (ii) the development of a plan for coordinating after-school services and for achieving a goal of providing after-school services for every school-age child in this state; and be it further

            Resolved, That the Michigan After-school Initiative plan shall include strategies for this state to promote best practice models for after-school programs and to promote coordination and collaboration of after-school services at the local level; and be it further

            Resolved, That the Michigan After-school Initiative shall engage children and youth in development of the plan; and be it further

            Resolved, That the Michigan After-school Initiative shall review and report to the Legislature on model programs operating in this state and other states and that the review shall look at program components identified as best-practices and based on proven research; and be it further

            Resolved, That the Department of Education and the Family Independence Agency shall report to the Governor and Legislature on the Michigan After-school Initiative plan and submit recommendations by December 15, 2003; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Department of Education and the Family Independence Agency.