The Mayor’s After-School Achievement Program (ASAP) is designed to expand after-school opportunities for Houston youth. Through ASAP, the City of Houston funds schools and non-profit agencies to provide after-school programming for school-age youth between the ages of 5-14. ASAP activities are offered during the school year, September to June, Monday-Friday generally between 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Funded schools and organizations set their own curricula in collaboration with students, teachers, parents and program partners. Through ASAP, youth enjoy a well-rounded experience by participating in our required four key component areas:
Academic Enhancement - Activities may include tutorials, homework assistance, subject-specific and technology activities, test preparatory skills, and college exposure/preparatory skills.
Skill Development - Activities may include leadership development, team building, conflict management, financial literacy, and job readiness/career orientation skills, or other skill-specific or asset-based projects.
Enrichment - Activities may include recreation and sports; arts; dance; creative writing; and career exploration and technology activities.
Community Involvement - Activities may include citizenship, volunteerism, parental involvement, youth service projects and community service.
Registration
Currently there are 44 ASAP sites across the Houston area. Registration begins at the start of the school year, and programming usually kicks off in September. Check online for the location nearest to you or call (713) 865-4546 for more information.
Get Involved
If you are a school (public/charter school) or a nonprofit agency and would like to be an ASAP partner, take a look at the 2009-2010 RFP. In order to be considered for funding, all interested applicants must attend at least one mandatory application workshop and meet the minimum requirements of the program. You can complete and submit your registration form for the workshop online. If you would like to volunteer in the ASAP program, please contact us at (713) 865-4546.
Mandatory Application Workshop
Request for Proposal Application Workshop
Judson Robinson Jr. Community Center (2020 Herman Drive)
Judson Robinson Jr. Community Center (2020 Herman Drive)
Friday, March 6, 2009 @ 10:00
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 @ 10:00
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 @ 10:00
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 @ 10:00
After-School Partnership Fair (6300 Irvington)
About ASAP
Since 1997, the city of Houston has funded after-school programming for youth through the Mayor's After-School Achievement Program (ASAP), a cornerstone of Mayor Lee P. Brown's administration and evidence of his commitment to Houston's youth. ASAP continues to receive strong support and leadership under the current administration with Mayor White and City Council Members. ASAP is designed to engage juveniles in structured, supervised activities after school to reduce juvenile crime and victimization during these dangerous hours.
Significant improvements were made to ASAP in the summer of 2004 when the program moved under the administration and leadership of the Houston Parks & Recreation Department. During this transition new program guidelines were implemented and enforced, as well as the addition of staff to conduct site visits in an effort to ensure contract compliance and provide technical assistance.
The ASAP Goals are as follows:
To provide safe, supervised, structured programming for youth during after-school
To prevent delinquency and reduce crime committed by/against juveniles
To improve participants’ school performance, conduct, and attendance
To encourage the ongoing involvement of parents and the community in youth programs.
To motivate youth to develop citizenship, and good health habits
To build positive partnerships to create fun-affordable-quality after-school programming for youth in Houston
Through ASAP, the city of Houston funds schools and non-profit agencies to provide after-school programming for a minimum of 20 children per site, at least four days per week between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Each funded school or non-profit organization sets its own curricula, usually with input from students, parents and other collaborative partners. However, each curriculum must incorporate areas - academic enhancement, enrichment, skill development and community service.
Survey data from the 2007-2008 program year demonstrated overwhelming student, parent and teacher support for the program. 97% of the parents reported that the program had a positive impact on homework assistance, grades, behavior and school attendance. While 76% of the parents also indicated that without the existence of the after-school program the youth would be cared for by a relative, sibling, or home alone. In addition, 99% of the parents reported that the program made it easier to work outside of the home or go to school.
Program Growth
The After-School Achievement Program has expanded significantly. In 1998 ASAP started as a pilot project operation on 11 HISD school campuses, and currently for the 2008-2009 school year ASAP is serving over 3,500 youth at 44 sites in 2 local independent school districts, and 7 non-profit organizations throughout Houston.
Budget
The After-School Achievement Program's FYO9 budget totals $1.4 million, of which $1.3 million has been directly distributed to ASAP sites. To date, the city of Houston has funded ASAP with General Revenue funds, Community Development Block Grant funds, and grants funds through the Governor’s Office Criminal Justice Department. The funding is currently determined based upon a $1,000 per child rate. The grant range is $30,000 - $50,000.
Matching Funds
All ASAP sites are required to provide both cash/in-kind matching funds contributions aid in their sustainability of financial resources once the ASAP funds are no longer available. Matching funds are typically used to fund tutorial staff, snacks, transportation, field trips and special events.
Through ASAP, the city of Houston funds schools and non-profit agencies to provide after-school programming for a minimum of 20 children per site, at least four days per week between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Each funded school or non-profit organization sets its own curricula, usually with input from students, parents and other collaborative partners. However, each curriculum must incorporate areas - academic enhancement, enrichment, skill development and community service.