California Funding for School Recess, Play & Expanded Learning Programs

Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P): Funding for Before-School, After-School, and Summer Programs

California’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program funds before-school, after-school, summer, and intersession programs for students in transitional kindergarten through sixth grade. For 2026-27, about $4.67 billion is available to eligible school districts and charter schools. ELO-P is formula-based, so eligible LEAs receive an allocation rather than competing for a grant. LEAs with an unduplicated pupil percentage of 55% or higher receive the Rate 1 amount of $2,750, and beginning in 2026-27, the Rate 2 amount for all other eligible LEAs is at least $1,800.

California defines expanded learning as programs “that focus on developing the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs and interests of pupils through hands-on, engaging learning experiences.” The state also intends for these programs to be pupil-centered, results-driven, include community partners, and complement the regular school day.

How Playworks aligns with ELO-P

• Playworks supports the social, emotional, and physical goals of expanded learning by helping programs create opportunities for students to be active, build relationships, develop leadership skills, and learn through play.
• Playworks helps programs create play environments where students feel safe, included, and comfortable participating.
• Games and activities get students moving and keep them active and engaged.
• Students build communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and conflict-resolution skills through play.
• Playworks gives students opportunities to take on leadership roles, lead games, support younger students, and contribute to their school community.
• Playworks creates opportunities for students of different backgrounds, abilities, and skill levels to participate together.
• Playworks professional learning gives school and expanded learning staff practical strategies for leading games, engaging students, managing groups, and creating positive play environments.
• As a community partner, Playworks brings hands-on, active programming that complements the school day, in line with the state’s intent for expanded learning.

After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program: Funding for K-9 Before- and After-School Programs

California’s After School Education and Safety Program (ASES) funds before- and after-school programs serving students in transitional kindergarten through ninth grade, with a current funding level of $794 million. ASES programs are built through partnerships between schools and local community resources to provide literacy, academic enrichment, and safe, constructive alternatives for students outside the regular school day. Schools apply for ASES grants through the California Department of Education (CDE), and grants require a local match.

How Playworks aligns with ASES

• Playworks provides active, engaging enrichment that gives students opportunities to move, play, build relationships, develop leadership skills, and practice social-emotional skills.
• Playworks helps expanded learning staff create safe, positive environments where students can participate and interact.
• Games and active play give students meaningful opportunities for movement during before- and after-school programming.
• Playworks adds hands-on, engaging activities that complement the school day rather than replicating classroom instruction.
• Students practice communication, cooperation, problem-solving, self-regulation, and conflict resolution through play.
• As a community partner, Playworks fits the school and community partnership model ASES is built on, bringing outside expertise and training to before- and after-school programs.
• Playworks trains expanded learning staff to facilitate games, manage groups, increase student participation, and create inclusive play experiences.

California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP): Funding for Whole-Child Community Schools

The California Community Schools Partnership Program(CCSPP) supports community schools as a whole-child school improvement strategy that brings together schools, families, community organizations, and other partners to address barriers to learning. The state’s community schools model includes four features: integrated support services; family and community engagement; collaborative leadership and practices for educators and administrators; and extended learning time and opportunities.

For 2026-27, California appropriated $1 billion for a new ongoing CCSPP annual apportionment. Eligible school sites, generally those with an unduplicated pupil percentage of 65% or higher, receive $75,000 to $400,000 each based on enrollment. 

How Playworks aligns with CCSPP

• Playworks uses play to support students’ social, emotional, and physical well-being and create positive school experiences.
• Playworks helps schools create inclusive environments where students can build relationships, participate with peers, and feel connected to their school community.
• The Junior Coach Leadership Program gives students opportunities to lead games, support peers, and contribute positively to their school community.
• Playworks can serve as a community partner, helping schools expand the supports and opportunities available to students, including during extended learning time.
• Playworks professional learning, coaching, and modeling give school staff practical strategies for creating safe, engaging, and inclusive play environments.

Student Support and Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant (SSPDBG): Flexible Funding for Professional Learning

California’s Student Support and Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant (SSPDBG) provides flexible, one-time funding to county offices of education, school districts, charter schools, and state special schools, allocated by average daily attendance. The state appropriated $1.7 billion in 2025-26, available through June 30, 2029, and an additional $5 billion in 2026-27, available through the 2031-32 fiscal year. Allowable uses for the 2026-27 funds include professional development for TK-3 educators and elementary site administrators on developmentally appropriate instruction and behavior, coaching and mentoring for teacher recruitment and retention, and community school partnerships.

How Playworks aligns with SSPDBG

• Playworks Pro provides training and professional learning that equips educators and school staff with practical strategies to lead play, manage groups, encourage participation, and build positive student relationships.
• Playworks helps educators use age-appropriate games, movement, and play to engage students and support their social, emotional, and physical development.
• TeamUp and Recess Reboot extend professional learning through modeling, coaching, and ongoing support, helping staff build skills they can use throughout the school day.
• Playworks can complement broader community school strategies focused on student engagement, belonging, relationships, and whole-child support.

Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant (LREBG): Funding for Student Well-Being and Learning Recovery

California’s Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant (LREBG) provides one-time funding to school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to support academic learning recovery and the social and emotional well-being of students and staff. The 2026-27 budget provides $757.3 million, completing the restoration of earlier program reductions, and funds are available through the 2027-28 school year. Allowable uses include before- and after-school programs, programs that address social-emotional learning, support for ELO-P services, and community schools strategies.

LREBG spending must connect to the district’s documented needs. Each LEA completes a needs assessment and includes LREBG funds in its Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), with a rationale for how the funds will be used.

How Playworks aligns with LREBG

• Playworks helps students develop communication, teamwork, cooperation, and conflict-resolution skills through structured play.
• Playworks supports positive peer relationships, physical activity, and school connectedness through engaging play experiences.
• Playworks programming can complement before-school, after-school, and other expanded learning activities designed to support student engagement and development.
• Playworks creates opportunities for students to participate, build relationships, develop leadership skills, and strengthen their connection to school.
• Playworks provides professional learning and coaching to help school staff facilitate structured play, support positive student interactions, and create supportive learning environments.

Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC): Federal Funding Administered by California

In California, the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers program (Title IV, Part B) is commonly known by its formal “Nita M. Lowey” name. The CDE administers the program, which provides five-year grants to establish or expand before- and after-school programs that offer academic enrichment during non-school hours. California’s 21st CCLC serves students in transitional kindergarten through ninth grade, and its After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens (ASSETs) program serves high school students.

As covered on our federal funding page, the program’s federal future is still being decided. Existing grants continue through their performance periods, and districts can check current cycle availability with the California Department of Education.

How Playworks aligns with 21st CCLC

• Playworks can support before-school, after-school, and summer programs with structured physical activity, enrichment, leadership development, and positive peer interaction.
• Playworks activities give students opportunities to develop teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills outside the traditional classroom.
• The Junior Coach Leadership Program gives students hands-on opportunities to practice responsibility and leadership while supporting positive play among their peers.
• Playworks professional learning equips out-of-school-time staff with practical strategies to engage students, manage groups, facilitate welcoming games, and create positive environments.
• Playworks TagTeam helps out-of-school-time organizations build sustainable play and youth leadership programming.

SB 291: California’s Recess Law

Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, California public elementary schools that offer recess must provide at least 30 minutes of recess on regular instructional days and at least 15 minutes on early-release days. SB 291 defines recess as supervised, unstructured time, separate from physical education and meal times, when students can engage in physical activity, play, organized games, and social interaction with peers. The law also limits when staff can take recess away from a student, keeping recess available to every kid.

SB 291 sets the minutes. Playworks helps schools make those minutes count.

How Playworks aligns with SB 291

• Playworks gives students more opportunities to move, play games, and participate during recess.
• Students practice communication, cooperation, teamwork, and conflict resolution through everyday play.
• Playworks helps schools create games and play opportunities that welcome students with diverse interests, abilities, and experience levels.
• Playworks gives recess staff practical strategies for managing play spaces, facilitating games, encouraging participation, and addressing common playground conflicts.
• Students can take an active role in recess by leading games, helping peers participate, and modeling positive play.

California Quality Standards for Expanded Learning

California’s Quality Standards for Expanded Learning guide the design and improvement of expanded learning programs across the state, including programs funded through ELO-P, ASES, and 21st CCLC. The standards include Safe and Supportive Environment; Active and Engaged Learning; Skill Building; Youth Voice and Leadership; Healthy Choices and Behaviors; Diversity, Access, and Equity; Quality Staff; Collaborative Partnerships; Continuous Quality Improvement; Sustainability; Clear Vision, Mission, and Purpose; and Program Management.

How Playworks supports California’s Quality Standards

• Safe and Supportive Environment: Playworks helps staff establish clear expectations and create play spaces where students can participate, connect with peers, and work through conflict.
• Active and Engaged Learning: Games and physical activity provide students with hands-on opportunities to participate, make choices, solve problems, and learn alongside their peers.
• Skill Building: Play gives students repeated opportunities to practice cooperation, communication, self-regulation, problem-solving, and leadership.
• Youth Voice and Leadership: Through opportunities such as the Junior Coach Leadership Program, students take an active role in leading games and creating a positive play environment for their peers.
• Healthy Choices and Behaviors: Playworks gives students regular opportunities for movement and physical activity while helping programs build a culture where active play is part of the day.
• Diversity, Access, and Equity: Playworks creates opportunities for students of different backgrounds, abilities, and skill levels to participate together.
• Quality Staff: Playworks builds staff capacity through training, modeling, and practical strategies that educators and expanded learning staff can continue using with students.