by Bela P. Shah and Michael Karpman

On May 22-24, hundreds of city officials will convene in Washington, D.C., for what promises to be a pivotal event in the afterschool movement.

The National City Afterschool Summit, sponsored by NLC?s Institute for Youth, Education, and Families (YEF Institute), will offer municipal leaders key opportunities to meet with Congressional leaders and officials from the U.S. Department of Education, learn strategies for building citywide afterschool systems from national experts and network with other local elected officials working to improve afterschool programs.

The summit will also bring a new level of awareness to the critical role that mayors, councilmembers and other city leaders play in providing afterschool opportunities and making efforts to ensure that quality afterschool programs are accessible to all children and youth.

The Federal-Local Partnership
On May 22, the summit kicks off with an exclusive dinner for local elected officials, in which speakers will highlight the importance of federal policy decisions on afterschool and the essential partnership between local and federal government. Dr. Henry Johnson, assistant secretary of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education is invited.

Summit participants will have opportunities to meet with members of the Senate and House Afterschool Caucus and other Congressional leaders and senior staff to underscore the importance of their continued support for afterschool and the difference it makes to local communities.

Making the Case
The next day, participants will hear from national experts on the benefits of afterschool programs and the impact they have on academic achievement and other relevant youth outcomes. In communities across the country, afterschool programs have proven to enhance public safety, help working families, improve student achievement, support healthier and happier young people and create stronger communities.

Participants will also hear from philanthropic leaders about the national investment that foundations are making to strengthen the afterschool movement and from Department of Education officials about the future of federal funding for afterschool.

Sharing Strategies
Also on May 23, local officials will serve on panels discussing the role of mayors in creating citywide afterschool systems, building public will for afterschool initiatives and forming strong and innovative partnerships with schools, local businesses and other key stakeholders.

Later in the day, a panel discussion will focus on strategies for sustainable financing of afterschool programs and the importance of leadership at all levels, followed by opportunities to network with local officials and afterschool advocates from the same state and region.

Teaming Up to Advocate for Afterschool
This year, NLC is partnering with the Afterschool Alliance to honor municipal leaders at the alliance?s annual Breakfast of Champions celebration on May 24.

Mayors and councilmembers will be recognized for their impressive commitment and leadership in providing quality, accessible afterschool programs.

In addition, more than 400 afterschool advocates from communities across the country will attend the Alliance?s Afterschool for All Challenge event, which will take place simultaneously with the summit.

This partnership will enable summit attendees to participate in a joint advocacy training session led by the alliance and lead delegations to Capitol Hill of afterschool advocates and youth from their communities  to meet with Congressional representatives.

The summit will end with a closing rally reception on Capitol Hill, where local elected officials will have speaking opportunities.

Registration Still Open
Municipal officials can register for the summit by visiting www.nlc.org/iyef, or by contacting Bela Shah at (202) 626-3057 or shah@nlc.org. Information about hotel reservations, cost and the summit agenda can also be found on the website.