'Perfect Storm' Ahead for Summer Youth Programs

With widespread cutbacks around the country in public funding for both summer school and summer-jobs programs, youths in some cities, such as Los Angeles and Washington, may have plenty of time on their hands in the coming months.

Many jobs programs for young people are facing a funding cliff now that federal stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has run out. School districts face their own funding cliff with the phasing out of stimulus funds channeled to them through Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act. In addition, the slashing of state budgets has affected both jobs programs and districts’ summer school offerings.

A spot check with public officials in large cities around the country reveals the funding cuts appear to be hitting municipalities unevenly. While Los Angeles and Washington are expected to see reductions in both summer school and summer-employment programs, New York City faces a dramatic cut in its youth-jobs program but the size of its summer school program is expected...