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S 2452Extracurricular Activities

Education - Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time

This bill allocates funding to after-school programs to implement mental health support and emotional well-being activities for K-12 students.

On the floor38 Yea0 Nay0 Not voting
Population
Affected
35
Email Legislator
Introduced Feb 6, 2026Committee Senate Finance

Plain-English Summary

This legislation establishes the "Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time" chapter within the state's education laws. It aims to support the mental health and emotional well-being of K-12 students by funding out-of-school time (OST) programs. The bill allocates $100,000 for the 2026–2027 fiscal year to be distributed via competitive grants to community-based or school-affiliated programs. These funds can be used for staff training in mental health first aid, peer support groups, social-emotional learning curricula, and other wellness initiatives. An annual report on the program's reach and outcomes is required.

For younger readers

This new rule helps pay for special programs that happen after the school day ends. It gives money to groups that take care of kids when they aren't in class. These groups will use the money to learn how to help kids feel happy and safe. They might start clubs where friends can talk to each other, hire mentors to help, or buy games and books that teach about feelings. The goal is to make sure kids have a safe place to go and people to talk to when school is finished for the day.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
K-12 StudentsOut-of-School Time (OST) Program ProvidersParents and FamiliesRhode Island Afterschool NetworkMental Health Trainers
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
$0.06
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Addresses the critical state of emergency in child and adolescent mental health by directing resources toward emotional well-being and preventative care rather than punitive measures.
  • Empowers community-based organizations that reflect the lived experiences and cultures of local families, fostering a bottom-up approach to social support rather than a top-down mandate.
  • Prioritizes equity by mandating that funds be awarded to programs serving youth with high levels of demonstrated need, ensuring resources reach the most vulnerable populations.
  • The appropriation of only $100,000 is woefully insufficient to address a statewide mental health crisis, serving as a token gesture rather than the robust systemic investment actually needed.
  • Relies on a competitive grant model which often disadvantages smaller, grassroots organizations that lack the administrative resources to write complex grant applications compared to larger entities.
  • Allows for the outsourcing of administration to a private intermediary, which may reduce direct public accountability and transparency regarding how taxpayer funds are managed.
For Conservatives
  • Utilizes non-governmental, community-based organizations to deliver services, avoiding the creation of new permanent government employee positions or expanding the state bureaucracy.
  • Promotes local control and flexibility by allowing programs to design initiatives based on specific local needs rather than imposing a rigid, one-size-fits-all state curriculum.
  • Limits fiscal exposure by defining a specific, small appropriation amount ($100,000) for a single fiscal year, preventing an open-ended entitlement commitment.
  • Expands government involvement in the social and emotional upbringing of children, a role that traditionally belongs to parents and families, not the state.
  • Promotes "social-emotional learning" and "culturally responsive approaches," terms often viewed as vehicles for introducing progressive ideology and critical race theory concepts into youth programming.
  • Increases state spending on social services at a time when fiscal restraint is necessary, potentially setting a precedent for future funding demands for non-academic programs.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 36 additions

SECTION 1. Findings of Fact and Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to support the mental health and emotional well-being of children and youth through investments in out-of-school time (“OST”) settings, recognizing OST programs as essential, community-based spaces that provide connection, stability, and resilience during a period of heightened need and reduced public supports. Rhode Island continues to experience significant mental health challenges among children and adolescents that affect well-being, school engagement, family stability, and long-term outcomes. In April 2022, leading pediatric and behavioral health organizations in the state declared a Rhode Island State of Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. These challenges have been compounded by reductions in federal funding for schools and student support services, increasing pressure on local and community-based systems to meet growing needs with fewer resources. Out-of-school time programs offer trusted, relationship-based environments where youth spend substantial time outside of the school day. These programs are embedded within the communities they serve and frequently employ staff, mentors, and leaders who reflect the lived experiences, cultures, and strengths of local families. Through intentional program design, OST programs function as intergenerational systems of support that foster belonging, strengthen protective factors, and support prevention, early identification of need, and connection to appropriate supports. Investments made pursuant to this chapter strengthen the capacity of existing OST programs to serve as stabilizing and supportive spaces for youth, mitigate the impacts of reduced school-day and federally funded supports, and reinforce community-based systems that are built by and for the communities they serve.

SECTION 2. Title 16 of the General Laws entitled "EDUCATION" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 16-117-1. Short title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time". 16-117-2. Eligibility and allowable use.

(a) Funds appropriated under this chapter shall support evidence-informed initiatives that promote the mental health and emotional well-being of children and youth through community- based or school-affiliated out-of-school time (“OST”) programs serving students in kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12).

(b) Allowable uses of funds may include, but shall not be limited to:

(1) Mental health first aid training, trauma-informed practices, or related learning opportunities for OST staff, youth leaders, volunteers, caregivers, or program partners;

(2) Peer support groups, mentoring models, restorative practices, or youth-led initiatives that foster connection, belonging, and emotional well-being;

(3) Development, purchase, or implementation of materials, curricula, or resources that support mental health awareness, social-emotional learning, coping skills, and resilience;

(4) Program-based mental health projects, workshops, enrichment activities, or creative expressions that integrate wellness and prevention into OST programming; and

(5) Other innovative, community-informed, or culturally responsive approaches designed to support youth mental health, prevention, early identification of need, and connection to appropriate supports.

(c) Funds shall be used in a manner that allows OST programs to respond flexibly to local needs and priorities, while promoting developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and supportive practices for youth and families. 16-117-3. Funding and allocation.

(a) The general assembly shall allocate one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in the fiscal year 2026–2027 budget to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(b) Funds shall be administered by the appropriate state agency or by a designated statewide intermediary, ideally the Rhode Island Afterschool Network, with demonstrated expertise in out-of-school time systems, youth development, and equitable grantmaking. The administering entity shall award funds through a competitive process to qualified OST programs, prioritize programs serving youth with high levels of demonstrated need, ensure distribution across multiple programs, and consider geographic diversity, including urban, suburban, and rural communities. 16-117-4. Reporting. The administering agency or intermediary shall submit a brief annual report to the general assembly detailing the number of OST programs and youth served, the geographic distribution of funded programs, and a summary of funded activities and observed outcomes.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.