The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) program is the only federal funding source dedicated to supporting afterschool and local summer learning programs through the US Department of Education. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, now known as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), updated and reauthorized the 21st CCLC program in December 2015. Each state receives funds based on its share of Title I funding for low-income students. Grants support afterschool and summer learning programs that provide the following services to students attending high-poverty, low-performing schools:
Academic enrichment activities that can help students meet state and local achievement standards.
A broad array of additional services designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program, such as: drug and violence prevention programs, counseling programs, art, music, and recreation programs, technology education programs, and character education programs.
Literacy and related educational development services to the families of children who are served in the program.
The purpose of the Resource Center is to provide ongoing support to all 21st CCLC subgrantees to improve the quality of their programs and, in turn, improve the academic, social and emotional outcomes of the students and the literacy of their families.