Demand for Afterschool Programs in New Jersey Is Enormous, But Most Families Are Being Shut Out, New Household Survey Finds
Washington, D.C. – Four in five New Jersey parents who want afterschool programs for their children are unable to enroll them, in many cases because programs are too expensive, unavailable, or inaccessible, according to a household survey commissioned by the Afterschool Alliance and released today. America After 3PM finds that 80% of New Jersey parents with a child in an afterschool program rate it as excellent or very good, and there is overwhelming support among New Jersey parents for public funding for these programs.
Overall in New Jersey, the parents of 742,333 children want afterschool programs but just 152,895 children are enrolled, the new study finds. Nine in ten New Jersey parents favor public funding for afterschool opportunities. Large majorities of parents in the state say these programs keep kids safe, build their social skills and responsible decision making, and help parents keep their jobs and boost their productivity at work
