Advocates for after-school programming held an informational breakfast last week to encourage state lawmakers to provide more funding.

The Extended Learning Network of the Southern Tier is a relatively new regional chapter of the New York State Afterschool Network that was established at the urging of Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo.

On Friday, local organizations, including Cornell Cooperative Extension, urged Lupardo, Assemblyman Cliff Crouch and State Senator Fred Akshar to provide a stable revenue stream.

“Funding for extended learning, funding for out-of-school work has to be long-term and sustained. It can’t be grant after grant. We need to help solidify that long-term funding in order to help develop credible professionals that are working in the field,” said Cornell Cooperative Extension Executive Director Vicki Giarratano.

Advocates want the state to increase money spent by the Advantage After School program by nearly $50 million annually.