OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- This month, hundreds of thousands of kids in Oklahoma will say goodbye to the lazy days of summer and hello to books, pencils and homework. And that means parents across the state will be faced with the dilemma of what to do with their kids after school. Some of these children will be left to vegetate in front of the television or video games, while others will be fortunate enough to be enrolled in quality school-age care programs.
School-age care programs offer care for children in their out-of-school time. These programs work to furnish children with a safe and nurturing environment, positive relationships with adults, a choice of activities and opportunities to make decisions about how they will spend their time.
"School-age care programs are as diverse as the families and children who use them," said Stacy Dykstra, former Director of the Westminster School After-School Program in Oklahoma City. "After-school programs give children something constructive to do, they help children increase their social skills and enrich their lives with hobbies, art, reading and community service."
According to the National Institute on Out-of School Time, children between the ages of 2 and 17 spend nearly 34 hours per week using television, computers, video games or VCRs. And according to the Children’s Defense Fund, children in low-income households with limited access to after-school programs spend an estimated 50 percent more time watching television than children in more affluent families.
"Leaving children at home alone is not the answer," said LuAnn Faulkner, OKDHS school-age programs field representative. "After-school programs can be a preventative measure, children can learn new skills and spend their time in a constructive manner and are less likely to get into trouble since they have adult supervision."
According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations 1998 crime statistics, juveniles accounted for nearly 19 percent of all persons arrested for crimes. OSBI data shows that nearly 740 children ages 12 and younger were arrested for larceny or vandalism, during this same time period.
Since March 1992, the OKDHS Division of Child Care has contracted to provide quality, licensed school-age childcare in low-income urban and rural areas. Childcare assistance is available through OKDHS for infants to children up to age 13. Families with a combined income of up to $2,000 a month may qualify to have a portion of their childcare cost paid while they work or attend school. This program is designed to help parents stay off welfare.
To learn more about school-age care programs in your area, or to apply for childcare assistance, call the OKDHS Division of Childcare toll free at 1-800-347-2276, or visit us at www.okdhs.org/childcare/.
###