LYNN - Senate President Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester) announced the appointment of Senator Brendan P. Crighton (D-Lynn) as the Senate Chair of the After-School and Out-of-School Time Coordinating Council.

The Council, which Crighton will co-chair with Representative Jennifer Benson, oversees recommendations in the following key areas: 1. The alignment of resources between the Department of Early Education and Care and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; 2. Promoting collaboration and strengthening coordination between school districts and community-based after-school and out-of-school time programs; 3. Workforce development in the after-school and out-of-school time workforce including enhancing opportunities for professional development and technical assistance; 4. Increasing access for children and families to high quality after-school and out-of-school time programming; 5. Sustainability by encouraging both public and private investments in after-school and out-of-school time programming.

"Senator Crighton's commitment to after-school programming has been evident throughout his career as a city councilor and legislator," said Representative Benson. "I'm looking forward to co-chairing the ASOST Coordinating Council with him and continuing our work to support after school opportunities for all Massachusetts children."

The legislation establishing the Council was championed by former State Senator Thomas M. McGee, now Mayor of Lynn, who also co-chaired the Council for many years. McGee was chairman of the After-School and Out-of-School Time Commission which was formed 2003 and worked to spread awareness about the importance of expanded learning opportunities.

"I have seen firsthand the great progress made by the Council under the leadership of Senator McGee and Representative Benson. I am eager to continue to build on the solid foundation that is in place to advocate for high quality expanded learning opportunities in all communities of the Commonwealth," stated Senator Crighton.

The Coordinating Council consists of legislators, representatives from state agencies, out-of-school providers, private foundations and other stakeholders who meet quarterly to ensure that a diversity of perspectives are represented as the Commonwealth looks for ways to better coordinate resources so that all students have access to high quality programs that support them socially, emotionally and academically.

The work of the Council is supported by The Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership (MAP). MAP is dedicated to expanding afterschool and out-of-school time opportunities for school-age children, youth, families and communities, and works to improve the lives of young people through statewide policy development, local grassroots networks, education and advocacy, and strategic public-private partnerships.

"I was delighted to hear of Senator Crighton's appointment as Senate Chair of the ASOST Coordinating Council. Senator Crighton has the institutional knowledge about the afterschool landscape in Massachusetts and will hit the ground running. I am looking forward to working with him," stated Ardith Wieworka, Executive Director, Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership.