Let’s End the ‘Summer Struggle’ for Working Families

By Sean Prospect, Executive Director of SFASAS

Once again, summer has arrived in South Florida – but for working families, the season brings more than warmer weather and later sunsets. Each summer, Florida parents face the formidable challenge of finding affordable summer programs they need to keep their kids safe, engaged, and learning while they are at work. 

New data from the Afterschool Alliance sheds light on just how daunting that struggle is for families in our state. The study finds that while 1,550,559 families in Florida want summer programs for their children, only 795,054 are actually enrolled – and another 755,545 are missing out. That means 1 in 2 Florida children don’t have access. The top barriers parents cited to enrolling their child? Cost, as well as lack of transportation, information, and available programs.

With affordability cited as a top concern, it’s no surprise that the study also finds deep, painful inequities based on family income. Nationwide, about 45% of high-income families were able to enroll their children in summer programs – but just 26% of middle-income families and 13% of low-income families had access. That’s a severe opportunity gap, and we all have a stake in closing it. 

I’m passionate about this issue because I know firsthand the world of difference that quality summer programs make for students and families. As Executive Director of South Florida & FIU After-School All-Stars, I see it every year. We’re working to fill the gap by offering free and low-cost programs that help students stay engaged, active, and away from screens while schools are out. There’s nothing quite like seeing students unlock new passions, learn new skills, grow their confidence, and build social connections through hands-on activities like robotics, visual arts, performing arts, cooking, fitness, and community service each summer. 

Many parents tell us that if it weren’t for our program, their kids would be unsupervised, glued to social media, and isolated while schools are out. When families can’t access summer programs, the harm is far-reaching. Students are at risk of falling behind academically due to summer learning loss. Some might engage in risky behaviors when unsupervised. The healthy meals and snacks summer programs serve are also a lifeline for low-income families, who might otherwise struggle to afford nutritious food during the months when school meals are not available.  

But because we, as a nation, haven’t invested nearly enough in summer learning, the unmet demand is enormous. In many cases, parents are forced to leave their jobs to care for their kids, which is an enormous financial challenge for their families – especially now, with the cost of essentials soaring. That harms businesses and our economy, too. 

The study did offer some good news. Among Florida families who are able to enroll their children in summer programs, a remarkable 93% are satisfied with them. Parents recognize the value of these programs, and it’s no surprise that support for more public funding for summer learning is overwhelming, with 94% in favor – and that support crosses political lines. 

Policymakers should take note; this issue is a priority for Florida parents, but funding is more uncertain than ever. Once again, President Trump’s FY2027 budget proposal eliminates dedicated funding for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC), the chief federal funding stream for afterschool and summer learning programs. That would be a disaster for Florida’s children, families, communities, and economy. It would leave even more families without the support they need to continue working while managing activities and care for their children over the summer. 

I hope our local, state, and federal lawmakers, businesses, and philanthropies will work together to increase access, so there are enough affordable summer learning programs for every family that needs one. No child should be alone, unsupervised, without healthy food, or lacking opportunities to learn and discover their passions while schools are out. It’s time to solve “the summer struggle” once and for all by investing in the engaging opportunities our state’s students deserve. 

[Sean Prospect is Executive Director of the South Florida After-School All-Stars and an Afterschool Ambassador with the Afterschool Alliance.]