After-School Achievement Program (ASAP)

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 & non-profit agencies to provide after-school programming for elementary & middle school-age youth.  ASAP activities are offered during the school year, September to June, Monday-Friday, generally between 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Funded schools & organizations set their own curricula in collaboration with students, teachers, parents & 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 & 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 & sports; arts; dance; creative writing; and career exploration & technology activities.

• Community Involvement

Activities may include citizenship, volunteerism, parental involvement, youth service projects & community service.

How to Apply

If you are a school (public/charter school) or a nonprofit agency & would like to be an ASAP partner, you must fill out & return the 2013-2014 RFP & 2013-2014 Application Narrative.

In order to be considered for funding, all interested applicants must attend at least one mandatory application workshop & meet the minimum requirements of the program. All workshops to be held at the Houston Parks & Recreation Department Recreation & Wllness Building 6200 Wheeler Bldg #3. Parking is available.

Mandatory Application Workshops
- Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.

Houston Parks & Recreation Department
Recreation & Wellness Building
6200 Wheeler Bldg #3
(Parking is available throughout the campus)

After-School Partnership Fair
6300 Irvington
- Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.

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 & evidence of his commitment to Houston's youth.  ASAP continues to receive strong support & leadership under the current administration with Mayor Parker & City Council Members. ASAP is designed to engage juveniles in structured, supervised activities after school to reduce juvenile crime & victimization during these dangerous hours.
Significant improvements were made to ASAP in the summer of 2004, when the program moved under the administration & leadership of the Houston Parks & Recreation Department.  During this transition, new program guidelines were implemented & enforced, as well as the addition of staff to conduct site visits in an effort to ensure contract compliance & provide technical assistance.

The ASAP Goals are as follows:

• To provide safe, supervised, structured programming for youth after school
• To prevent delinquency & reduce crime committed by/against juveniles
• To improve participants’ school performance, conduct, and attendance
• To encourage the ongoing involvement of parents & the community in youth programs.
• To motivate youth to develop citizenship & 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 & non-profit agencies to provide after-school programming for a minimum of 30 children per site, at least five days per week between 3:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. Each funded school or non-profit organization sets its own curricula, usually with input from students, parents & other collaborative partners. However, each curriculum must incorporate academic enhancement, enrichment, skill development & community service.

Survey data from the 2008-2009 program year demonstrated overwhelming student, parent & teacher support for the program.  96% of the parents reported that the program had a positive impact on homework assistance, grades, behavior & school attendance, while 60% 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, 98% 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 2009-2010 school year, ASAP is serving over 3,000 youth at 42 sites in 2 local independent school districts, and 11 non-profit organizations throughout Houston.

Program Growth

The After-School Achievement Program began with a pilot program of 11 schools in 1997, and has expanded ever since.

Matching Funds

All ASAP sites are required to provide matching funds and/or in-kind contributions from collaborative partners. Matching funds are typically used to fund snacks, transportation, field trips & special events. First year sites must provide a $10,000 match with in-kind funds.

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