Assemblywoman Donna Ferrara (R,C-Westbury) recently announced two local areas to receive state grants which will provide working parents with a safe and educational experience for their children during after-school hours.

"The educational programs will keep young people busy after school by providing productive activities for them. An additional positive effect of the after-school programs will be a reduction of youth related problems, including violence. Both children and families will benefit," said Ferrara.

Local not-for-profit organizations and their school partners are:

North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center - The Place - partnered with Westbury High School: state award, $125,000.

Tempo Group, Inc. - partnered with North Bellmore UFSD and North Merrick USFD: state award, $125,000.

The programs require a strong partnership between community-based organizations, schools, youth and families. School-aged children will have an opportunity to participate in a broad range of developmental activities designed to improve the social, emotional and academic skills of children in a safe, secure and supervised environment after school.

A 1999 federal Justice Department study found the majority of crimes committed by or against youth occur between 3 and 8 p.m. Smoking, drinking, drug use and premature sexual activity are most frequently started during these same unsupervised hours.

"Many studies have shown that children who attend quality after-school programs have better peer relations, emotional adjustment, school grades and personal conduct than students who are unsupervised after school," Ferrara concluded.