S. 1571 — AFTER SCHOOL Act

This section establishes a grant program administered by the Attorney General for afterschool programs serving students in grades 6 through 12 (eligible students) in counties with a juvenile offense rate of at least 10% (i.e., the percentage of violent offenses committed by individuals 19 years of age or younger relative to total violent offenses in the county, per FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program data). Eligible applicants are local educational agencies serving one or more secondary schools in such counties or 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with afterschool program experience located in such counties. The Attorney General must annually identify eligible counties, publish the list and an application template, and allot grants formulaically based on the number of eligible students each approved applicant will serve relative to all such students nationwide. Grantees must use funds to expand existing, develop new, or partner on afterschool programs held when school is not in session that (1) expand learning opportunities, (2) foster foundational skill development, (3) provide youth leadership opportunities, and (4) offer a safe and supportive environment. Grantees must submit annual reports to the Attorney General on schools and students served and program successes and vulnerabilities; the Attorney General must submit a summary report to Congress within 90 days of receiving all grantee reports. Authorizes $15 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027.