[ON LETTERHEAD]

DATE

The Honorable Patrick O’Donnell

Chair, Assembly Committee on Education

State Capitol

Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: Support AB 1744 (McCarty)

Dear Chairman O’Donnell:

ORGANIZATION strongly urges the Assembly Committee on Education to support AB 1744 (McCarty) to uphold Proposition 64’s (Prop. 64) promise to California voters to increase funding for after school programs and prevent substance use among our children.

In November 2016, the voters passed Prop. 64 which legalizes, regulates, and taxes the adult use of cannabis. The Yes on Prop. 64 ballot argument stated that, “64 pays for itself and raises billions for afterschool programs that help kids stay in school” and after school programs were prominently featured in campaign ads. The Prop. 64 campaign clearly intended for after school programs to be a prime beneficiary of these new revenues and it is critical that laws and regulations honor this intent.AB 1744 ensures after school programs are eligible to receive funding from the Youth Education, Prevention, Early Intervention and Treatment Account established under Prop. 64.

California has a strong after school infrastructure; publicly funded programs serve 485,000 K-12 students daily in 4,500 schools. These programs target the highest poverty communities - over 80% of students in state-funded after school programs qualify for Free or Reduced Price Meals. Yet, many programs have long waiting lists and 41% of low income schools have no state or federally-funded after school programs.

Research shows that youth drug use increases in the after school hours and that quality after school programs prevent and reduce drug use, juvenile crime, and school dropout by providing supervised alternative activities, safe spaces, and positive adult relationships.

[BRIEFLY PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PROGRAMS, HOW MANY KIDS SERVED, & DATA ABOUT HOW YOUR PROGRAMS PREVENT AND REDUCE DRUG USE AMONG STUDENTS, AND IMPROVE EDUCATION AND WELL-BEING OUTCOMES]

Please vote “AYE” on AB 1744 to keep the promise made by California voters to use cannabis revenue to increase access to high-quality after school programs for youth in California’s most underserved communities.

Sincerely,

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