Carver has made the difficult but necessary decision to temporarily suspend our 5th Grade Scholars Program for the 2025-2026 school year while we await further guidance from the Trump Administration regarding the future of the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative.
Carver was recently awarded four multi-year 21st CCLC grants totaling $1,770,900—an extraordinary achievement that affirms the strength of our programming and our longstanding commitment to expanding educational opportunity. These competitive grants, administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), represent the only federal funding stream dedicated exclusively to after-school programs. Out of 35 awards statewide, Carver received four—the most of any grantee in Connecticut.
However, as of July 1, 2025, a statewide freeze on 21st CCLC funds has been imposed due to federal-level actions, halting critical payments just weeks before the new school year. School districts and nonprofits alike are grappling with the consequences—having already approved budgets, staffing, and contracts based on expected funding.
To be clear, no other Carver programs have been impacted at this time. Carver’s After the Bell programs at Norwalk’s elementary schools are continuing as planned, and parents may still enroll their children in those programs for the upcoming academic year. Please contact our Director of Elementary School Programs,Tricia Massucco (203) 838-4305, Ext 115; tricia@the-carver.org, with your inquiries.
This situation, however, is a moving target. The abrupt freeze is already affecting summer programs, childcare support for working families, professional development for educators, and services for students with additional learning needs. These real-time and repeated disruptions may affect families in different ways depending on the provider, school, or district.
We encourage all parents to contact their school administration and any other school-day or after-school providers to confirm whether any of their own expectations for the coming school year have been affected.
Carver remains committed to delivering high-quality academic and enrichment programs, and we are advocating alongside our partners to see this vital funding restored. We will share further updates as soon as they become available. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.