Due to a severe cut in federal funding, more than 100 after-school programs citywide, including a handful in the northwest Bronx, will not reopen this fall unless replacement money is found.

Families at two Bronx middle schools and three elementaries were recently notified that their after school services may not return next year, according to The After School Corporation (TASC), an umbrella organization for after-school programs.

Programs on this year’s endangered list began receiving funds in 2003 from the 21st Century Community Learn Centers program, the only federal funding source specifically dedicated for after school. The funding, set to expire in 2008, was not renewed this year, leaving many programs stranded for next year.

According to Susan Brenna, TASC Director of Communications, the five-year 21st Century grants, distributed by the State Education Department, were issued in three phases with the first of these set to expire in 2008. However, in February, schools awaiting the chance to re-apply for 21st Century funding learned that the education department would not be considering proposals for 2007-2008.  

The unforeseen cut has reduced federal funding for after-school programs by over $30 million, based on TASC figures. On the heels of public outcry, the state appropriated $7.5 million to the 21st Century program, giving officials and community leaders hope that more funding might be forthcoming.

Don Bluestone, executive director of the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center (MMCC), remains optimistic that come next fall, MMCC-run after-school programs affected by the cuts, namely PS/MS 95 and PS/MS 20, will continue services.

"Right now the state has in its coffer $7.5 million and we’re trying to get them to release the money," Bluestone said. "That would extend the programs for four months, between September and December."

Counting on TASC funding to partially fuel PS/MS 95 and PS/MS 20 for the coming school year, Bluestone will also look to the city’s Out-of-School Time initiative for more support. These monies, appropriated by the Department of Youth and Community Affairs, amount to $32 million and would keep both programs afloat until next year.

"We are hopeful that between two of our plans, one of them will work," Bluestone said.

"What we have here is a gap," said Eleanor Edelstein of Councilman Oliver Koppell’s office. In addition to PS/MS 95 and PS/MS 20, Walton High School is the third school in Koppell’s district affected by the funding cuts.

"This [loss of funding] places the school in a bad position," Edelstein said, referring to future staffing losses and communities deprived of services. But if the programs can survive the year, Edelstein said, schools will be allowed to apply for new grants next year.  

The community should also note that the city council has appropriated funds to CASA, the city’s after-school program. For the next school year, Koppell’s office has received a budget of $100,000 to support four after-school programs. In the past, these funds have supported PS 56 in Norwood. Edelstein said Koppell hopes to give that money to one of the schools affected by the federal cuts.