After-School News

From Carbondale to Chicago, when the school bell rings, hundreds of thousands of Illinois students hit the streets with no supervision or constructive activities. What the school bell rings in, unfortunately, is the "Prime Time for Juvenile Crime." 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. are the peak hours for kids to be victims of violent crimes, in a car crash, and to experiment with cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, and sex.

High quality after-school programs can cut crime immediately and convert after-school hours into hours of academic enrichment, recreation, and community service. In one study, high school freshmen were randomly selected from welfare families to participate in the Quantum Opportunities four-year after-school and graduation incentive program. Six years later, compared to those who got the program, boys left out averaged six times more criminal convictions.

Seven out of 10 school-age Illinois children are in homes where both parents, or the only parent, are in the workforce. This leaves 1.5 million Illinois children in need of constructive activities and supervision during the after-school hours. We also know that 41 percent of Illinois 8th graders are home alone 10 or more hours a week - which is the threshold when the likelihood of problem behaviors increases.

Available data from the three largest after-school programs in Illinois (Teen REACH, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, and the Child Care Assistance Program) shows about 200,000 children enrolled in after-school programs. Even counting local, private, and nonprofit programs, we clearly have a long way to go before we meet the need for after-school programs in Illinois. Many local communities recognize the value of quality after-school programs, but there just are not enough resources to fulfill the need.

Reports

All Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Illinois reports on after-school:

"Cops get it, parents get it, and researchers get it. After-school programs not only work to make our communities safer but make more kids productive citizens and better students. Until the day comes that we are meeting the need for after-school programs, we are needlessly putting people at risk as well as jeopardizing the future of our young people."

Retired East Dundee Police Chief Ignacio "Joe" Pena, Co-chair Emeritus of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Illinois

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• The single hour most likely for a teen to commit a violent crime-homicide, rape, robbery, or assault-is between 3 PM and 4 PM.
• High school kids commit four out of five juvenile crimes in California.