Counterbalance: Prime Time Juvenile Crime: Pay Now or Pay Later
Commentary by Darryl Wood, ^©2002 Wood Communications, LLC 

Just because a federally funded after-school program isn't making the grade doesn't mean it should be flunked. Bill Hansen, a deputy secretary at the U.S. Department of Education recently cited an unfavorable evaluation of the the government's 21st Century Community Learning Centers project. The report by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., strongly suggested that the billion dollar 21st Century after-school academic program is not having the desired educational or social impact on students. The Bush administration is considering re-directing 400-million dollars from the program to other areas. Like the administration, I don't think taxpayer dollars should be thrown down a hole, however, before the Education Department pulls the plug on those funds, it should consider overhauling the federal program to emulate successful privately funded after-school initiatives that help kids stay safe, improve grades and avoid crime.

The Need is Real
The 2000 U-S census shows that millions of kids are home alone after school with no outlet for recreational or extra-curricular pursuits. In fact, over 10-million children and teens lack productive after-school activities supervised by concerned grownups.

That's a serious problem because studies show that the period between 3PM and 6PM, Monday through Friday, the so-called prime time for teen crime, is the interval when most teen-related offenses happen in America. That gap between the end of school and when many parents or guardians get home, is when teens break the law; innocent kids become crime victims; 16 and 17 year olds are either in or cause a car crash; it's also the time when teens have sex; smoke, drink or use drugs.2

It's great when parents are there to spend 'prime time' with their children. The next best approach according to law enforcement experts is a high quality after-school program. Figures prove that youth development programs like the Boys and Girls Clubs, or the Quantum Opportunities after-school program, cut crime immediately. Kids who are mentored are half as likely to abuse drugs and 33% less likely to resort to violence. Furthermore, when through such programs teens are engaged in academic enrichment, community service and good clean fun, rates of teen pregnancy, smoking, drug use and related crimes plummet.

Proven Return On Investment
While hardly a panacea, the facts and figures demonstrate how effective such programs can be. In the case of the Quantum after-school plan, the program produces $3-dollars in benefits to participants and the public for every $1-dollar spent. Given that figure, it's easy to understand how not investing in such programs actually costs money. Federal funding has climbed since 1996, but as mentioned earlier, cuts are being proposed due to poor government execution, low academic scores, growing anti-social behavior by participants, increased delinquency among students, and low participation. These problems can be fixed. "We must offer programs that interest kids, not just give them study hall or government-sponsored babysitting," says actor and Republican activist, Arnold Schwarzenneger, who recently testified before Congress. Arnold Schwarzenneger is also a chairman of a national inner-city after-school program. Speaking about proposed Bush administration cuts to the 21st Century Community Learning Centers project Schwarzenneger added, "It will be a big mistake — let me reiterate, a big mistake — to use that study as a justification to reduce current funding levels for after-school programs." Arnold is right.

Don't cut the funds Mr. Bush. Refurbish the curriculum. You have several good national examples from which to choose. Furthermore, whether we pay by grants, foundation dollars, private contributions, or federal taxpayer dollars, it's a cost we all must gladly shoulder.

Get Involved
Finally, have you ever considered being a youth mentor, or putting together fundraisers for high quality after-school programs in your area? Perhaps you're a business owner looking for a way to give back to your community. This would be a good place to start. It's the least we can do to save a generation at risk. As Seattle Police Chief, Gil Kerlikowske of the Fight Crime: Invest in Kids task force wisely observes, "It's a lot cheaper to pay now for after-school programs than to pay later to put a kid in jail."

1. 2000 U.S. Census
2. FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System, 1997