SB390 Summary

• Appropriates funds for the Uniting Peer Learning Integrating New Knowledge (UPLINK) after-school program, which serves approximately 4,500 middle school students annually across 27 schools in Hawaii.

• Funding supports one department of education UPLINK administrator, additional staffing needs, and non-school hour positive youth programs to be expended by the department of human services.

• UPLINK provides free homework assistance, character education, and safe programming from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for middle school students, with reported outcomes including zero pregnancies among participants over five years and 90-100% class passage rates at fourteen schools.

• Current program budget is $2,400,000 with $2,265,000 allocated directly to schools; administrative costs have decreased from 15% to 5% over three years.

• Takes effect July 1, 2050 (specific appropriation amount not filled in document).