After delay, Utah summer and after-school care programs receive federal funding

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

Utah summer and after-school programs received delayed federal funding, easing coordinators' concerns.
Some programs ceased due to uncertainty; funding disruptions caused significant operational challenges.
Future funding remains uncertain, risking over 10,000 kids losing access to programs.

SALT LAKE CITY — After weeks of waiting, Utah summer and after-school program coordinators learned they will be getting federal funding again.

The Trump administration released the 21st Century Community Learning Centers funds yesterday after it said officials reviewed the programs.

Ben Trentelman, with the Utah Afterschool Network, said getting these funds is a relief for many, but it's a bit too late for some programs that had to close.

"We did hear from a couple of programs that had ceased. Hopefully they're able to pick back up," he said. "We haven't connected with them since the release of the funds."

The funds were initially supposed to be released on July 1, but the federal government said the programs needed to be reviewed.

A group of Republican senators sent a letter asking to unfreeze the funds, writing, "We share your concern about taxpayer money going to fund radical left-wing programs. However, we do not believe that is happening with these funds."

Trentelman said some summer programs in San Juan County stopped operating because they didn't know if the money was going to come, and it was too risky to continue.

"While the funds are available now, which is amazing, it's still caused a great deal of disruption," he said. "If you were anticipating your paycheck to arrive on Friday and it didn't come for two weeks, there would be some things that you just wouldn't be able to do."

Trentelman said Utah received the full amount of money provided in the grant. He said the feds didn't offer an explanation why.

"Some states received less money than they were anticipating. And they didn't have a heads up about that," he said.

He's grateful they're funded this year, but he said this could happen again in 2026.

Trentelman said there isn't money outlined for after-school and summer programs in current federal budget proposals.

"The 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant makes up 40% of our state's overall budget for after-school programing, so if we don't see other federal agencies or if we don't see an answer from the Department of Education, whatever that department looks like in the future, as to how these programs will receive support, we're going to be facing over 10,000 kids looking at not having a summer program or after-school program in the future," he said.

Trentelman said Utah programs largely rely on the federal funding.

"Child care is suffering around the country," he said. "There aren't the supports and resources out there that families need, so we need after-school programs."

Since the 2026 funds are still up in the air, the Utah Afterschool Network is asking parents and families to reach out to their local and state leaders, asking them for their support to keep these programs going.

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Shelby Lofton

Shelby comes to Utah after working for three years at WKYT, the CBS affiliate in Lexington, Kentucky. There, she was the weekend anchor and reporter. During her time in the Commonwealth, Shelby covered the 2021 Western Kentucky tornadoes. She was honored to share the stories of resilience there and help pay tribute to the victims. She was struck by the generosity of the people who jumped in to help with clean up and recovery efforts. Her favorite stories to tell are ones that highlight humanity coming together and using their strengths to make a real difference. Shelby also had the privilege of covering The Kentucky Derby twice. She was named Rookie of the Year by the Kentucky Broadcasters Association in 2020. Shelby is a proud graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism. In college, she worked at KOMU-TV, the NBC affiliate in Columbia, Missouri. She was fortunate to try out a lot of jobs behind the camera, but reporting is where her heart is. Shelby was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She grew up taking road trips up and down the west coast. She loves traveling and has visited 10 countries. When she’s not in the newsroom or out reporting in the field, Shelby enjoys catching up on documentaries, listening to podcasts, dining at different hotspots, cheering on Mizzou sports and hiking Utah’s many beautiful trails.