A survey that interviewed thousands of households found that 55% of Latino families are unable to enroll their children in after school programs
Photo: Kimberly White / Getty Images
By: EFE
Friday, September 20
At least 6.5 million Latino children do not have access to after-school programs
For every Hispanic child currently in an after school program in the United States, three Latino minors are waiting to take these extracurricular activities , revealed this Wednesday a poll.
The survey America After 3PM, found that the families of 24 6 million children in the United States do not have access to an after-school program and many report that cost is an obstacle.
He 55% of Hispanic families surveyed reported obstacles to access these classes, which means that there are currently in the country more than 6.5 million Hispanic children who want to be in after-school programs and can’t do it , the study revealed.
African Americans would be the most affected with 58 % of families that do not have their children enrolled in an after-school program and say they would enroll them if they could.
The research also found that due to barriers including access, cost, and transportation, the number of Hispanic children enrolled in after-school programs fell from 3.8 million in 2014 to less than 2.3 million at present.
This reduction means that more Hispanic children do not have important supports that can help them be successful, the researchers warned in a statement.
In times in which the coronavirus pandemic has hit Latino families hardest, Jodi Grant, executive director of the Afterschool Alliance, warns that “if we want to emerge from this pandemic stronger we must provide all our children and youth with access to enrichment opportunities and the resources that after-school programs can offer them. ”
“But this is not what we are doing and, as a result, Latino families are experiencing more difficulties than before,” he added.
The research also found that an overwhelming percentage of parents from Latino families say that After-school programs address family needs . More than 4 out of 5 Latino families (84 % of respondents) say after-school programs give parents the peace of mind that their children are safe and supervised.
More of 4 out of 5 (82% of respondents) say after-school programs help working parents keep their jobs.
The study was based on the responses obtained from more 30, 000 American families, including Hispanics, surveyed last October.
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