Summer: The Great Equalizer

High-quality summer programs can be the great equalizer, as these programs support academic, social, and emotional learning and development for school-age children in safe and supportive environments. Research has shown that children from lower income households are more likely to experience summer learning loss than their more affluent peers. These inequities have been exacerbated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act are providing a historic opportunity for system-level planning to increase equitable access to quality summer programming.

During this webinar, hosted by the National Center on Afterschool and Summer Enrichment (NCASE), you will be able to do the following:

• Learn about and share examples of state and local initiatives that support equitable access to summer learning and enrichment opportunities.
• Explore a new planning guide designed to support Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) lead agencies as they work collaboratively with other agencies and organizations to plan for and implement quality summer programming.
• Highlight the importance of consumer education websites in helping families find summer programs that meet their needs.