To run after-school programs for eligible students in counties with a juvenile offense rate at least 10%, the Act authorizes grants to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) or eligible nonprofit organizations. Programs must serve students in grades 6–12 and be delivered in counties where the crime data triggers eligibility.
The Attorney General distributes funds via a formula tied to the number of eligible students served, and recipients must use the funds for after-school activities with educational purposes. The bill authorizes $15 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2029, with annual reporting requirements and a consolidated AG report to Congress.
At a Glance
What It Does
Establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Attorney General to fund after-school programs in qualifying counties for students in grades 6–12.
Who It Affects
Eligible LEAs serving at least one secondary school in qualifying counties and eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in those counties, plus the students and communities they serve.
Why It Matters
Concentrates after-school resources where juvenile offenses are above a threshold, aiming to expand learning opportunities, reduce risk, and build safer, more engaged communities.
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What This Bill Actually Does
The bill creates a federal grant program, administered by the Attorney General, to support after-school programs for students in grades 6–12 in counties where the juvenile offense rate is at least 10%. Eligible recipients are local educational agencies that serve one or more secondary schools in those counties, and eligible nonprofit organizations with a similar footprint.
Grants are distributed using a formula that mirrors the number of eligible students the programs will serve. Applicants must submit data showing county-level offense rates and assurances about program operation or partnership with other eligible entities.
Funds must be used to run after-school programs that occur when school is not in session and that have explicit educational aims, including expanding learning opportunities, building foundational skills, fostering youth leadership, and providing a safe environment. Recipients must file annual program reports, and the Attorney General must provide a Congress-wide summary within 90 days of each year’s reports.
The statute authorizes $15 million annually for FY 2026–2029, available until expended.
The Five Things You Need to Know
The bill creates a nationwide grant program for after-school activities funded through the Attorney General.
Eligible recipients are LEAs or eligible nonprofits located in counties with a juvenile offense rate of 10% or higher.
Funding is distributed by a formula proportional to the number of eligible students served.
Programs must operate after school with educational purposes, including skill development and leadership opportunities, in a safe setting.
Authorized funding totals are $15 million per year for FY 2026–2029, with annual recipient reporting.
Section-by-Section Breakdown
Every bill we cover gets an analysis of its key sections.
Definitions and eligible applicants
This subsection defines key terms: what counts as an eligible local educational agency (LEA) and eligible nonprofit organization, and what constitutes an eligible student (grades 6–12). It also establishes the threshold standard for eligibility—the juvenile offense rate in the county must be at least 10% in the most recent year with data. It ties LEA eligibility to serving one or more secondary schools within a county and ensures eligible nonprofits operate in the same geographic area.
Program established
Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to eligible applicants with approved applications to operate after-school programs for eligible students. This creates the federal grant mechanism and sets the governance for which entities can participate and how they must apply.
Formula for grant awards
Outlines the allocation method: the total available funds are distributed to eligible applicants in proportion to the number of eligible students they will serve relative to the total number of students served by all eligible applicants. This ties funding to program scale and intended reach.
Notice of eligibility
Requires the Attorney General to determine counties with a juvenile offense rate of 10% or higher, publish those determinations, and publish the grant application. This creates transparency about where the program will operate and how to apply.
Application requirements
Details what applicants must submit: county-level offense rate data, assurances about program operation (through the LEA or in partnership with an eligible nonprofit), and information about the activities and frequency of the proposed after-school programs.
Uses of funds
Describes permissible uses: expand existing programs, develop new programs, or partner with eligible nonprofits to administer programs for eligible students. Programs must operate when school is out and have educational aims (expanded learning, foundational skills, leadership opportunities, safe environment).
Reports
Requires annual reporting from each grant recipient detailing schools served, students served, and overall successes and vulnerabilities. The Attorney General must compile and submit a congressional report within 90 days after the year’s recipient reports are received.
Authorization of appropriations
Sets the funding level at $15 million for each of FY 2026–2029 and states funds remain available until expended.
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Explore Education in Codify Search →Who Benefits and Who Bears the Cost
Every bill creates winners and losers. Here's who stands to gain and who bears the cost.
Who Benefits
- Grade 6–12 students in counties meeting the 10% juvenile offense threshold gain more structured, educational after-school options.
- Local educational agencies serving secondary schools in qualifying counties gain a funding channel to expand or initiate programs.
- Eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in qualifying counties gain capacity to operate after-school programs for local students.
- After-school program providers partnering with LEAs or nonprofits can scale or improve service delivery.
- Communities in high-need counties benefit from safer after-school environments and enhanced learning opportunities.
Who Bears the Cost
- Recipients must administer programs and meet annual reporting requirements, creating administrative obligations.
- LEAs and nonprofits must align programs with the statutory after-school aims, potentially requiring new partnerships and operations.
- The Federal government commits $15 million per year, with ongoing oversight and congressional reporting obligations.
- Local governments and school districts in non-qualifying counties may not receive these specific federal grants, implying opportunity costs in those areas.
- Some jurisdictions may face start-up costs or capacity constraints in meeting application and reporting requirements.
Key Issues
The Core Tension
Balancing targeted support for high-need counties against the risk of inequities across counties and the efficiency of program delivery when funding is capped and data quality varies. The bill solves funding allocation for scale but creates trade-offs around inclusivity, data reliability, and program design across diverse local contexts.
The bill’s targeted approach—allocating funds only to counties with a measured juvenile offense rate of 10% or higher—creates a policy focus on areas deemed higher-need, but it depends on the accuracy, timeliness, and consistency of FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. The requirement that eligible recipients either run programs directly or partner with eligible nonprofits could create coordination complexity and potential delays in implementation.
Because funds are limited to a fixed annual amount, the formula-based allocation will favor participants with larger eligible student populations, potentially marginalizing smaller districts within qualifying counties. The accountability framework requires annual reports to the Attorney General and a Congress-wide summary, but there is no explicit performance metric beyond basic reporting, which may limit visibility into program quality and outcomes.
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