Encouraging The General Assembly To Invest In Middle School Youth Programs.
Summary
House Concurrent Resolution 92 is a nonbinding resolution urging the Delaware General Assembly to invest more in middle school youth programs, especially out-of-school time and summer services. The resolution frames middle school as a critical transition period when children age out of traditional childcare but are not yet old enough to enter the workforce, and argues that this age group faces heightened risks without supervised programming.
The resolution cites poverty, academic underperformance, and research on the benefits of afterschool programs to support its call for action. It references prior state funding for statewide after-school programs focused on youth violence and suicide prevention, notes that some middle school afterschool funding was later reallocated, and argues that expanded programming can improve attendance, graduation, behavior, and family stability while reducing crime and other negative outcomes.
Impact
Because HCR92 is a concurrent resolution, it does not change Delaware law, create a new program, or appropriate funds by itself. Its practical effect is to express the General Assembly’s policy preference and encourage future legislative or budget action in support of middle school afterschool, summer, and other out-of-school youth services. It may influence how state agencies and lawmakers prioritize funding for youth development, prevention, and supervision programs, but any actual change would require separate legislation or appropriations.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment around the resolution appears strongly supportive and largely uncontroversial. The bill’s findings present afterschool programming as beneficial for students, working parents, public safety, and long-term state costs, and the voting history shows unanimous approval in the Senate and no recorded opposition in the House third reading vote. The available record suggests broad agreement with the resolution’s goals.
Contention
The main point of contention implied by the text is not whether afterschool programs are valuable, but how state resources should be allocated among age groups and program types. The resolution specifically notes that funding for middle school afterschool programs was reallocated in 2021 to prioritize another age-group initiative, indicating a policy tradeoff over limited dollars. The bill also highlights the gap created when children age out of Purchase of Care subsidies at age 13, suggesting concern that existing childcare policy leaves middle school youth underserved.