| R 279 |
| 2026 -- S 3239 Enacted 04/30/2026 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| RECOGNIZING APRIL 2026 AS "OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Senators DiMario, LaMountain, Lauria, Urso, Mack, Famiglietti, DiPalma, Sosnowski, Tikoian, and Raptakis |
| Date Introduced: April 30, 2026 |
| WHEREAS, Out-of-school time programs, including afterschool and summer learning |
| programs, provide safe, supportive, and enriching environments for children and youth during |
| non-school hours; and |
| WHEREAS, Such programs play a critical role in supporting the academic, social, and |
| emotional development of young people, helping them build essential life skills, improve school |
| engagement, and explore new interests and career pathways; and |
| WHEREAS, Out-of-school time programs are especially vital in supporting youth mental |
| health and overall well-being, providing structured environments where young people can |
| develop positive relationships, experience a sense of belonging, and build resilience through |
| meaningful engagement with peers and trusted adults; and |
| WHEREAS, Research demonstrates that high-quality out-of-school time programs |
| contribute to improved student outcomes, reduced risk behaviors, and stronger communities; and |
| WHEREAS, In Rhode Island, the demand for out-of-school time programming continues |
| to exceed available resources, highlighting the importance of continued investment and support to |
| ensure access for all youth; and |
| WHEREAS, Organizations such as the Rhode Island Afterschool Network and the |
| National Afterschool Association work to strengthen the out-of-school time workforce, promote |
| program quality, and advocate for policies that expand opportunities for children and families; |
| and |
| WHEREAS, April 20–24, 2026, is recognized as Afterschool Professionals Appreciation |
| Week, a time to honor the dedicated individuals who serve as educators, mentors, and role models |
| in out-of-school time programs, whose commitment supports the well-being and success of youth |
| and families; and |
| WHEREAS, These professionals are essential to the functioning of working families and |
| the broader economy, providing reliable care and meaningful learning experiences outside the |
| traditional school day; and |
| WHEREAS, Declaring April as "Out-of-School Time Month" provides an opportunity to |
| raise awareness of the importance of these programs, celebrate their impact, and encourage |
| continued collaboration among educators, policymakers, and community organizations; now, |
| therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby recognizes April 2026 |
| as "Out-of-School Time Month" and celebrates the positive impact of out-of-school time |
| programs on the youth of our State; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Michael Dunican, Statewide Director of the |
| Rhode Island Afterschool Network and the National Afterschool Association. |
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| LC006372 |
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