SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) Ninety-five percent of parents with a child enrolled in an afterschool program are satisfied with that program, and there is overwhelming support for more government funding for afterschool, according to a new study. But unmet demand for these programs is high in all 50 states, and majorities of middle- and low-income families who want afterschool programs are being shut out.

The parents of 29.6 million children, more than half the school-age students in the United States, want afterschool programs for their children – but just 7 million children are currently enrolled. Another 22.6 million children would attend afterschool programs if they were available. That means three in four of the children (77%) whose parents want to enroll them in an afterschool program are being left behind. Cost, availability, and accessibility are the barriers families cannot overcome.

Those are among the findings of “America After 3PM 2025,” a report released in October by the Afterschool Alliance. The survey of 30,515 U.S. parents of school-age children finds a wide, and widening, opportunity gap, with children in low- and middle-income families more likely to be without the afterschool programs their parents want for them than children in high-income families. Families in the highest income bracket now spend approximately nine times as much on out-of-school time activities as families in the lowest income bracket, up sharply from five years ago.

“Afterschool programs give students a safe place to go after the school day ends, boost their academic achievement, help address the youth mental health and chronic absenteeism crises, provide alternatives to screen time, give working parents peace of mind that their children are safe and supervised, and more,” said Afterschool Alliance executive director Jodi Grant. “But there aren’t nearly enough afterschool programs to meet the need.”

More than 8 in 10 parents agree that afterschool programs provide opportunities for children to learn life skills like interacting with peers and responsible decision making, and help them develop teamwork, critical thinking, and leadership skills. Eighty-four percent say afterschool programs allow working parents to keep their jobs or work more hours, and 92% of parents with a child in a program say they are less stressed knowing their child is safe. To learn more about the study, visit afterschoolalliance.org.

“Our country will be stronger and more successful when all children can take advantage of what afterschool programs offer – but, sadly, this study shows we’re nowhere near reaching that goal,” Grant added. “We need greater support from federal, state and local governments, businesses, and philanthropy. Every child deserves access to a quality afterschool program.”

Photo Credit: Sunrise of Philadelphia