UNION, NJ - The importance of after school programs was the topic on many parents’ and educators’ minds April 24.

A forum was conducted in the local Boys and Girls Club center to discuss why more after school programs like the Boys and Girls Club are needed, as well as how to go about bolstering such programs.

Steve Adubato, the Emmy award-winning anchor of Thirteen/WNET and author of “Make the Connection,” moderated the event.

The panelists who participated were from corporate, government and non-profit sectors.

The forum began with questions posed by Adubato about why parents should care about after school programs.

“The company is only as good as their employees, and most employees are concerned about their children,” explained panelist Ralph Izzo, the president and chief executive officer of PSE&G and chairman of New Jersey After 3.

Vernell Wright, who was the principal of Central Five School in Union for 16 years, spoke about the ramifications if after school programs would were not available to students.

“If it were not here, it would mean there would not be any supervision and the kids would be on the streets doing things that would have parents concerned while they’re trying to work,” Wright said.

Besides being a place that offers children supervision while parents are at work, some propose that after school programs can improve a child’s performance at school.

“Those that attend after school programs like Boys and Girls Club have a higher GPA of about 14 percent over those who don’t attend after school programs,” said Connie Ludwin, state director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of New Jersey.

When it comes to maintaining high standards in the school district, assistant superintendent and panelist Greg Tatum said his “vested interest is my clients.”

It was agreed that every child has a right to after school care, and it should not only be a nice option, but should be mandatory for schools to offer children. But many in attendance noted that the main roadblock for that notion is of a financial nature. “So is it all about money,” Adubato asked.

“Yes, it is definitely about money because how else would we be able to pay for the staff,” answered Diane Genco, executive director of New Jersey School Age Care Coalition. She also added that the majority of after school programs are tuition-funded. Genco said that there are many models of after school programs within the state of New Jersey and that some work better than others.

In response, one person in the audience suggested everyone look west for inspiration. “We haven’t followed the California model. Arnold (Schwarzenegger) understood when he created Proposition 49 when he mandated that all schools have an after-school program,” said Elnardo Webster, referring to the governor of California.

“So do you need a champion — one person with a lot of power and clout to make some changes,” Adubato asked. The audience nodded in agreement and Diane Genco reminded members of the audience of former Gov. Christine Whitman’s campaign for similar programs before her election.

The forum discussion also delved into the reasons why demand for after school programs have been on the rise. Members of the audience suggested societal changes such as the increase of labor hours and single-parent households in the United States as well as the increase of information via internet are to blame.

“There are things that kids are being exposed to now that we didn’t see until we were in high school. Bullying? What would a third or fourth-grader know about bullying? This is something only older children would face,” one audience member said. School board member Linda Gaglione believes a good after school program is one that exercises the mind and the body.

Boys and Girls Club members and volunteers were leading tours of the facilities before the forum. Although there are game rooms and a swimming pool, there are also areas designated for study and homework assistance. According to After school Alliance, 23 percent of children go unsupervised after school and only 12 percent of New Jersey’s youth participate in after school programs.

Jackeline Leon can be reached at 908-686-7700, ext. 126, or at unionleader@thelocalsource.com.