Washoe County gets $1.1 million grant for after-school programs

Members of Nevada's congressional delegation announced the $1.149 million grant Wednesday as part of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program.

"It is abundantly clear that there are many children in our community and throughout the country that need a safe, drug-free and supervised environment during after-school hours," Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., said.

"In the wake of yet another terrible shooting spree at yet another school, it is obvious that violence prevention needs to be a top priority," he said.

Jim Barclay, Washoe County school district official who will oversee the new program, said investing in after-school programming is "an excellent deterrent against juvenile crime and victimization."

The grants are available to schools with histories of academic under achievement, high percentages of English language learners, high poverty rates, school discipline problems, school dropouts, high transience rates, gang activity or teen pregnancy.

"Nevada leads the nation in the number of students who drop out of school each year," Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said.

"Statistics show that most students actually get in trouble after school when there is a lack of parental supervision," he said.

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., said it marks "a great opportunity to reach out to our children in Washoe County who might not otherwise receive the benefits offered by the Learning Centers program."

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