State Sen. John T. Yudichak, D-Luzerne/Carbon, this week, announced the formation of a bipartisan Afterschool Caucus during a rally by the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network at the state capitol.

"I am a passionate supporter of quality afterschool programs in Pennsylvania. I've seen firsthand with the SHINE program in Carbon and Schuylkill County schools, the absolute transformational impact afterschool programs can have on the life of a young child," Yudichak said.Yudichak will co-chair the bipartisan caucus with Sen. Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster, and Reps. Jake Wheatley, D-Allegheny, and Mindy Fee, R-Lancaster, whose purpose will be to provide education, policy development, research and briefings on issues confronting and relating to the commonwealth's afterschool infrastructure."I am proud to champion the SHINE program and hope to replicate it in Luzerne County beginning this fall. It has a decade of successful outcomes and has proved its value with a 96 percent promotion rate, a 92 percent attendance improvement, and an 86 percent increase in family participation," Yudichak said. "PA afterschool programs are the right tool at the right time to help families set a pathway of opportunity for the children of Pennsylvania."The announcement was made as part of the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Advocacy Day. Jim Thorpe Area School District Superintendent Brian Gasper also participated in the rally.