FEDERAL ROLE IN ADULT LITERACY: FY 2002
Prepared by Garrett Murphy and Bess Heitner
May 22, 2002
This compilation is divided into three sections: the first
is a single piece of legislation that contributes the major share of federal
support for adult education in this country. The second is comprised of federal
programs of varying size––some operated out of the Department of Education and
others operated out of other federal departments or agencies––in which basic
skills or English as a second language for out-of-school youth and adults is an
authorized activity, but funding is either limited to serving a particular
subset of that population or is available for any number of activities of which
basic skills or English language instruction is just one option. Some of the
latter programs may have very large appropriations, but funding for adult
education activities may comprise a very small portion of those appropriations.
The third section contains relatively small research or demonstration programs.
All funding quotes are for FY 2002 (the period ending 9/30/02) unless otherwise
noted. [Few changes are presently expected for FY2003.] FY2003 funding levels
will not be known until Congress passes its appropriations bills in late summer
or fall of 2002.
SECTION I – THE MAJOR SOURCE OF FEDERAL FUNDING
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Adult Education and
Family Literacy: State Grants
Enabling Legislation: Workforce Investment Act,
Title II; short title: The Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. Purpose:
Create a partnership among the federal government, the states, and localities to
provide, on a voluntary basis, adult education and literacy service to assist
adults to become literate, obtain the knowledge and skills
necessary for employment and self-sufficiency, assist adults who are parents to
become full partners in the education of their children, and assist adults in
the completion of secondary education. Funding: $575 million of which
$70 million must be expended on programs of English language and civics.
Distributed by formula to an “eligible agency for adult education and literacy”
in each state and Outlying Area. (The ESL/Civics funding is distributed to
states using a separate formula [which] that takes into account
immigration patterns.) Local Program Access: Public and private
nonprofit agencies are eligible to apply to the “eligible agency for adult
education and literacy” for subgrants. Federal contact: Caroll Towey,
Office of Vocational and Adult Education, (202) 205-5451, Caroll.Towey@ed.gov.
Notes: (a) States must have a process by which all nonprofit agencies,
public or private, may compete for funds. (b) Eligible state agencies for adult
education and literacy may retain up to 5% for administration and 12.5% for
state leadership activities.
(c) Although $70 million is reserved for English
language/civics activity, states may additionally spend whatever portion they
feel is appropriate on English-as-a-second-language instruction.
SECTION II – OTHER FEDERAL FUNDING SOURCES
FOR ADULT EDUCATION AND FAMILY LITERACY
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Community Technology Centers
Enabling Legislation: Elementary and Secondary
Education Act, Title III, Part A. Purpose: Promote development of model
programs that demonstrate the educational effectiveness of technology in
economically distressed urban and rural communities, and provide access to
technology for children and adults. Funding: $32,500,000 –– average
award is $250,000.
(The $32,500,000 funding level is a 50 % reduction from the
preceding year.) Grants are awarded competitively by the U.S. Department of
Education. Local Program Access: IHE’s, LEA’s, nonprofit and for-profit
organizations, and consortia of eligible entities may apply. Federal
Contact: Charles Talbert, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, (202)
205-9873,
Charles.Talbert@ed.gov. (Notes: More
information about the RFP process is available on the OVAE website, which can be
accessed by searching “OVAE”.)
Even Start
Enabling Legislation: Elementary and Secondary
Education Act, Title I, Part B. Purpose: Support family literacy
projects that integrate early childhood education, adult literacy or basic
education, and parenting education for families with parents who are eligible
for services under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, or who are
within the compulsory school attendance age range, and their children from birth
to age 7. Funding: $250 million. Formula funding to state education
agencies, which may award subgrants to partnerships between one or more LEA’s
and one or more public or private nonprofit organizations. Local Program
Access: Agencies or partnerships should contact the state education
agency for information about funding opportunities. Federal Contact:
Patricia McKee, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, (202) 260-0991,
Patricia.McKee@ed.gov. (Notes: This Act incorporated all the
amendments to Even Start contained in the preceding LIFT (Literacy
Involving Families Together) Act that substantially raised the authorization
level for Even Start, required State plans that encouraged LEA’s to use part of
their ESEA, Title I, Part A funds for family literacy, reserved an increased
portion for migrant programs, Outlying Areas, and Indian tribes, provided the
National Institute for Literacy with funds for family literacy research,
required that funds be set aside for professional development, allowed certain
children who are 8 years of age or older to participate, and eliminated the 8
year limitation for any subgrantee to receive funds. The Act also added
a maintenance of effort provision.)
Pell Grants
Enabling Legislation:
Higher Education Act of 1965 Title IV, Part A, Subpart 1, as amended.
Purpose: Provide need-based grants to low-income undergraduate and certain
post baccalaureate students to promote access to postsecondary education.
Funding: $10.3 billion given out to individual students; average award is
around $2000. Local Program Access: Individual students apply via
accredited schools in which they are enrolled. Federal Contact: Federal
Student Aid Information Center, 1-800-433-3243. Information is also available
at
www.fafsa.ed.gov.
(Notes: Although the majority of Pell funds are spent on
students in degree–granting programs, many proprietary schools and some
nonprofit colleges, vocational centers, and community based organizations have
non-degree programs accredited as” proprietary” or “postsecondary vocational.”
Such programs lead to a certificate rather than a degree and often have an
integrated basic skills, high-school-equivalency, or
English-as-a-second-language component. Students in such programs are eligible
for Pell grants if they can demonstrate financial need and attend, full time or
part time, a program that is operated for at least 600 clock hours. Some such
accredited institutions also operate free-standing English-as-a –second-language
programs for up to one year for which eligible students can receive Pell aid.
Such programs can admit students who need instruction in English to be able to
use the knowledge, training, or skills that they already have. The framers of
the Workforce Investment Act recognized the potential of Pell grant funding when
they required all participants in training programs (including those taking a
combined basic skills-occupational training program) to ascertain whether or not
they were eligible for Pell grants and, where they were, to use Workforce
Investment Act Title I funds only as a supplement to Pell funding.)
Grants to States for
Workforce and Community Transition Training for Incarcerated Youth
Enabling Legislation: Tile VIII, Section D of the
Higher Education Act. Purpose: Assist and encourage incarcerated youth
to acquire functional literacy, life, and job skills through the pursuit of a
postsecondary education which starts during incarceration and continues through
prerelease and while on parole. Funding: $22 million distributed by
formula to state corrections agencies. Local Program Access: Via state
corrections agencies. Federal Contact: Carlette Huntley, Office of
Correctional Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, (202)
260-7274, Carlette.Huntley@gov.ed.
Enabling Legislation: Title VIII, Section D of the
Higher Education Act. Purpose: Reduce recidivism through the
development and improvement of life skills necessary for reintegration of adult
prisoners into society. Funding: $5 million distributed by
competition. Local Program Access: Apply when competition is
announced. Federal Contact: Carlette Huntley, Office of Correctional
Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, (202) 260-7274,
Carlette.Huntley@gov.ed.
Migrant Education: High School
Equivalency Program
Enabling Legislation: Higher Education Act of 1965,
Title IV, Part A, Subpart 5, as amended. Purpose: Help migratory and
seasonal farmworkers (or children of such workers) who are
16 years of age or older and not currently enrolled in
school to obtain the equivalent of a high school diploma and subsequently to
gain employment or begin postsecondary education or training. Funding:
$23 million administered competitively by the Office of Elementary and Secondary
Education (OESE). Local Program Access: Competitive 5-year grants are
made to institutions of higher education or other nonprofit private agencies
that cooperate with such institutions. Federal Contact: Mary Suazo,
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, (202) 260-1396, Mary.Suazo@ed.gov.
Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and
Youth (Neglected and Delinquent)
Enabling Legislation: Elementary and
Secondary Education Act, Title I, Part D, as amended. Purpose: Provide
supplementary education services to help provide education continuity for
children and youth in State-run institutions for juveniles, in adult
correctional institutions, and in community day programs for neglected and
delinquent children so that these youth can receive a secondary diploma via
successful return to secondary school or to earn a recognized equivalent to a
diploma and transition to employment once released from State institutions.
Funding: $48 million via formula grants to State education agencies who then
make subgrants to designated State agencies and local educational agencies.
Local Program Access: Local provider agencies providing services in
institutional settings should work with local educational agencies in which the
institutions are located to secure this funding. Federal Contact: Gary
Rutkin, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, (202) 260-4412,
Gary.Rutkin@ed.gov. (Notes: Most children in correctional institutions are
within the eligible age range for adult education. Most will not return to
secondary school, opting instead to prepare for a high school equivalency
diploma.)
Star
Schools Program
Enabling Legislation: Elementary and Secondary
Education Act, Title V, Part D, Subpart 7 as amended. Purpose:
Telecommunications partnerships to encourage improved instruction in
mathematics, science and foreign languages and challenging and advanced courses
as well as other subjects such as literacy skills and vocational education ,
including the disadvantaged, illiterate, limited-English-proficient, and
individuals with disabilities. Funding: $27.5 million in national
competitive grants. Local Program Access: As a member of a
“telecommunication partnership”. Federal Contact: Joseph A. Wilkes,
Office of Educational Research and Improvement, (202) 219-2097, Joe.Wilkes@ed.gov.
(Notes: Current grantees are allowed to expand their scope to serve “new
populations of underserved individuals, such as children or adults who are
disadvantaged, have limited English proficiency, are individuals with
disabilities, are illiterate, or lack a secondary diploma or the recognized
equivalent.” The Secretary is also authorized to give grants to
“Telecommunications Programs for Continuing Education” to enable partnerships to
support and assist in the acquisition of a secondary school diploma or its
recognized equivalent. The Department of Education did not recommend that this
program be continued, but the Senate has retained it.)
Reading Excellence Program
--Replaced in FY 2002 by Reading First and Early Reading First Programs (see
below), but states may still be awarding monies received in FY 2000 and 2001 to
local partnerships.
Enabling Legislation: Part C of Title II of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Purpose: To teach children to
read as soon as possible but not later than third grade. To improve
instructional practices of reading teachers through use of findings from
research, and to provide family literacy services through partnerships with
community-based organizations, early childhood organizations, adult education
programs, family literacy organizations, public libraries, colleges and
universities, et al. Funding: $241 million distributed competitively to
state educational agencies that form a reading and literacy partnership that
includes the governor, the SEA, key legislators, a community-based organization
and directors of federal programs in the state that have a strong reading
component, parents, teachers and a family literacy program. Local Program
Access: SEAs that receive funding make two-year sub-grants on a competitive
basis to LEA’s that can meet need and partnership criteria.
Contact:
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/REA/ . (Notes: Not all states receive
grants. Family literacy programs supported by this legislation must contain the
four essential elements: 1) Age appropriate education for the children; 2)
Parent literacy training; 3) Interactive literacy activities between parents and
children; and 4) Training for parents to be the primary teacher for their
children.)
Reading First
Enabling Legislation: Elementary and Secondary
Education Act (as amended by the “No Child Left Behind” amendments of 2002)
Title I, Part B, Subpart 1. Purpose: Provide assistance to state
education agencies and local education agencies in starting reading programs for
grades K to 3 that are based on scientifically-based reading research. Provide
assistance to SEA’s and LEA’s in preparing teachers. Provide assistance to
SEA’s and LEA’s to select and administer diagnostic and instructional reading
assessments. Provide assistance in selecting and developing effective
instructional materials. Strengthen coordination among schools, early literacy
programs, and family literacy programs to improve reading achievement for all
children. Funding: $705 million with an additional 195 million assured
for 2003. Local Program Access:
Entities eligible to apply to the SEA for funding are (1)
LEA’s of demonstrated need; (2) one or more private organizations or agencies
that serve preschool age children (such as a program at a Head Start center, a
child care program, or a family literacy program) which organizations or
agencies shall be located in a community served by an eligible LEA; or (3) a
collaborative effort mounted jointly by an eligible LEA and such organizations
or agencies. Applicants must spell out “how the proposed project will integrate
such instructional materials and literacy activities with existing preschool
programs and family literacy services.” The Act provides two echelons of
authorized activities. Family literacy programs are listed in the second
echelon entitled “Additional Uses.” Federal Contact: Chris Doherty,
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, (202) 401-2176, Chris.Doherty@ed.gov.
(Notes: (1) Does not provide for family literacy specifically; funding more
likely from states that already have strong commitment to family literacy. (2)
Information dissemination for Reading First and Early Reading First is
made the responsibility of the National Institute for
Literacy and is supported by a $5 million reservation.)
Early Reading First
Enabling Legislation: Elementary and Secondary
Education Act, as amended, Title I, Part B, Subpart 2. Purpose: To
support local efforts to enhance the early language, literacy, and prereading
development of preschool age children. To provide these children with cognitive
learning opportunities in high quality language and literature environments. To
demonstrate language and literacy activities based on sound scientifically-based
reading research that supports a phonics-based approach (emphasis added).
To use screening assessments effectively to identify at-risk children. To
integrate such scientific reading research-based materials and activities into
existing programs of preschools, child care agencies, and family literacy
services. Funding: $75 million. Local Program Access: Eligible
applicant entities are identical to those in Reading First. Authorized
activities are to implement the purposes cited above. Federal Contact:
Patricia McKee, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, (202) 260-0991,
Patricia.McKee@ed.gov. (Notes: (1) Does not provide for family literacy
specifically; funding more likely from states that already have strong
commitment to family literacy. (2) Information dissemination for Reading First
and Early Reading First is made the responsibility of the National Institute for
Literacy and is supported by a $5 million reservation.)
21st Century Community Learning Centers
Enabling Legislation: Elementary Education and
Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title IV, Part B. Purpose:
Grants may support after school and summer academic enrichment and other
complementary services for school-aged children (particularly those in
low-performing schools), and offer “families of students served by community
learning centers opportunities for literacy and related educational
development.” Funding: $1 billion administered at the federal
level to SEAs in proportion to their relative share of Title I, Part A, Subpart
2 funds. Local Program Access: Local educational agencies, community
based organizations, other public or private agencies or consortia thereof may
apply to the State Education Agency. Contacts: For state program
specifics,
www.ed.gov/21stcclc. For general info: Carole Mitchell, Office of
Elementary and Secondary Education, (202) 260-0982. (Notes: In an evaluation
of these Centers the typical overall number of students served by a school
district's grant is 696, and an average of 248 adults is served by each grantee
as well. Formerly these centers could serve any adult residing in their service
area. A change in the law now limits adult participation to members of families
of enrolled children. The Federal Budget summary says “parents” of enrolled
children, but the law says family members.)
Vocational/Technical Education
Enabling Legislation: Carl D. Perkins Vocational and
Technical Education Act of 1998, Public Law 103-332. Purpose: To
develop more fully the academic, vocational and technical skills of secondary
students and postsecondary students who elect to enroll in vocational and
technical education. Funding: $1.108 billion for the Basic State Grant
Program administered by State Education agencies; $108 million for Tech Prep
grants also administered by SEA’s. Local Program Access: Eligibility for
funds limited to State and local educational agencies including institutions of
higher education and public charter schools providing vocational and technical
education and consortia of secondary and postsecondary agencies. Federal
Contact: Ronald Castaldi, Office of Vocational and Adult Education, (202)
205-9444, Ronald.Castaldi@ed.gov. (Notes: The program also assists with the
preparation for nontraditional training and employment as well as providing
support for partnerships among local education agencies, institutions of higher
education, adult education providers, and as appropriate other entities. Funding
may be used for both degree creditable and certificated postsecondary programs
while promoting the integration of academic, vocational and technical
instruction.)
Federal Work-Study Programs
Enabling Legislation: Higher Education Act of 1965,
as amended, Title IV, Part C. Purpose: Assist low income students to
meet the costs of attending higher education. Funding: $1.011 billion.
Local Program Access: Funds are not available to pay for adult education
programs, but one authorized activity of work-study students is to perform
services (such as tutoring) to enrollees in family literacy programs. Local
programs should contact local institutions of higher education to arrange for
students to work in such programs. Federal Contact: Federal Student Aid
Information Center, (800) 433-3243. (Notes: Normally institutions of higher
education are required to contribute 25% of the funding to pay students for
their work-study hours. This requirement may be waived for students tutoring
elementary or secondary students or providing services to family literacy
programs.)
Vocational Rehabilitation
Enabling Legislation: The Rehabilitation Act of
1973 as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. Purpose:
Empower individuals with disabilities to maximize employment, economic
self-sufficiency, independence and inclusion and integration into society
through (a) state workforce investment systems, (b) independent living centers
and services, (c) research, (d) training, (e) demonstration projects and, (f)
the guarantee of equal opportunity. To ensure that, the federal government
plays a meaningful role. Funding: $2.954 billion. Funds are
distributed to states and territories based on a formula that takes into account
population and per capita income to cover the cost of direct services and
program administration. Local Program Access: Grant funds are
administered locally by vocational rehabilitation agencies designated by each
state. Funds are distributed to states and territories based on a formula that
takes into account population and per capita income to cover the cost of direct
services and program administration.
Local adult education programs must identify their state’s designated
vocational rehabilitation agencies. Federal Contact: Beverlee Stafford,
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services, Office of Special
Education Programs, (202) 205-8831,
Beverlee.Stafford@ed.gov. (Notes: Vocational rehabilitation clients may
need adult basic, secondary, or English language instruction to maximize
employment opportunities.)
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Enabling Legislation: The Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 Public Law 105-17. (IDEA)
Purpose: (a) to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to
them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and
related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for
employment and independent living; (b) to ensure that the rights of children
with disabilities and their parents are protected; (c) to assist States,
localities, educational service agencies, and Federal agencies to provide for
the education of all children with disabilities; and (d) to assess and ensure
the effectiveness of efforts to educate children with disabilities. Funding:
$5.072 billion Local Program Access: Contact local school district or
state education agency. Federal Contact:
Ruth Ryder, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation
Services, Office of Special Education Programs, (202) 205-5547, Ruth.Ryder@ed.gov.
(Notes: It seems unlikely that adult education programs will have the
willingness or ability to adopt the instructional configurations required for
funding of direct services. However, at least one State has made an arrangement
whereby adult education receives IDEA funding for training of adult education
staff in techniques of dealing with individuals with disabilities who are
enrolled in adult education programs. Another State has an arrangement whereby
staff paid from IDEA funds provide services to individuals up through age 21 who
are enrolled in adult education classes but who had been eligible for
IDEA-funded services when still in secondary school and who did not receive a
high school diploma.)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food
Stamp Employment Program
Enabling Legislation: Food Stamp Act of
1997 as amended by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Purpose: Provide
training and work activity to primarily able-bodied adults without dependents to
help them become self-sufficient. Funding: $212 million for 100%
reimbursed projects to state agencies administering Temporary Assistance to
Needy Families (TANF). (States may get additional funds by matching them
50/50.) The state agency then suballocates funds to local social service
districts. Local Program Access: Local provider agencies should contact
their state agencies and local social services districts. Federal Contact:
Michael Atwell, Food and Nutrition Service, (701) 305-2449, Michael.Atwell@fsn.usda.gov.
(Notes: 80% must be spent on able-bodied adults without dependents. All
enrollees must be enrolled in activities approved in the State’s employment and
training plan approved by the Secretary of Agriculture.)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Head
Start
Enabling Legislation: Communities, Accountability,
and Training and Educational Services Act of 1988, title I, Sections 101-119.
Purpose: To provide health, educational and social services to
disadvantaged pre-school children and their families. Funding: $6.538
billion is provided to public and private nonprofit Head Start Agencies.
Local Program Access: Local provider agencies should contact local Head
Start agencies. Federal Contact: Craig Turner, Administration for
Children and Families, (202) 205-8236,
cturner@acf.hhs.gov. (Notes: The Head Start Bureau is initiating efforts
to support all programs in implementing comprehensive family literacy services.
Head Start agencies may offer family literacy services and parenting skills
training to parents of participating children, directly or though referral to
local entities, such as entities carrying out Even Start programs.)
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
Enabling Legislation: Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. Purpose:
Eliminate open-ended entitlement for welfare; create a block grant for states to
provide time-limited cash assistance to needy families so that children can be
cared for in their own homes; to reduce dependency by promoting job preparation,
work, and marriage; to prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and to encourage the
formation and maintenance of two-parent families. Funding: $16.556
billion in block grants to the states. States have broad flexibility to
determine eligibility, method of assistance, and benefit levels. States must
maintain non-federal effort at an 80%. States may use some funds for
state-level or special purpose programs. The balance goes out by formula to
local social services agencies. Local Program Access: Local provider
agencies apply for special purpose funds to the state agency administering TANF.
They should apply to local social services districts for local formula dollars.
Federal Contact: April Kaplan, Office of Family Assistance,
Administration for Children and Families, (202) 401-5138,
akaplan@acf.hhs.gov. (Notes: Basic skills education is limited to the
last 10 hours weekly of a client’s 30 hour work activity requirement unless the
State defines other work activities as including a basic skills instruction
component. Some States define “vocational educational training” and “community
service” to include basic skills instruction. Programs funded wholly from
maintenance of effort funds are allowed more flexibility. TANF regulations
issued in August 1999 exempt basic skills instruction from the 60 month limit on
TANF assistance and allow service to poor adults and former recipients who may
earn as much as 200% of the Federal poverty level.) This legislation is
scheduled to be re-authorized in 2002. If the re-authorization occurs on
schedule, there may be an entire new set of requirements and activities
beginning October 1, 2002.
Refugee and Entrant
Assistance
Enabling Legislation: Refugee Act of 1980, Section
412: Purpose: Subsidize states for assistance to refugees, asylums,
Cuban and Haitian entrants. One form of assistance is “training”, which can
include English language training. State social services agencies may purchase
training from provider agencies. FY 2002 Funding: $480 million. The bulk
of the federal funding goes to states that in turn select and fund agencies to
provide services. The rest goes to private nonprofit organizations that have a
Reception and Placement Grant with the Department of State or Department of
Justice and are to provide the prescribed services to eligible recipient
refugees. There is no set-aside for English language instruction. States and
eligible provider agencies receive an amount per refugee (approximately $2000)
from which they must support cash assistance and social services as well as
instruction. Local Program Access: Adult education programs must contact
their state social services agency to ascertain their funding processes and
schedules and to identify agencies receiving state and federal grants.
Federal Contact: Nguyen T. Kimchi, Office of Refugee Resettlement,
Administration for Children and Families, (202) 401-4556, nkimchi@acf.hhs.gov.
INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES
Library
Services and Technology
Enabling Legislation: Library Services and
Technology Act of 1996, Title II. Purpose: To consolidate federal
library services programs; to stimulate excellence and promote access to
learning and information resources in all types of libraries for individuals of
all ages; to promote library services that provide all users access to
information through state, regional, and international electronic networks; to
provide linkages among and between libraries; and to promote targeted library
services to people of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic
backgrounds, to individuals with disabilities, and to people with limited
functional literacy or information skills. Funding: $197 million
distributed by formula to state library administrative agencies that may be
spent directly or through subgrants. Local Program Access: Local
libraries apply to the state library administrative agency. Federal Contact:
Jane Heiser, Office of Library Services, Institute of Museum and Library
Services, (202) 606-5252, jheiser@imls.gov.
(Notes: one use of the funds is “targeting library and
information services to persons having difficulty using a library and to
underserved urban and rural communities….”)
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL SERVICE
VISTA
Enabling Legislation: Domestic Volunteer Service
Act of 1973, as amended, title I, Part A. Purpose: To supplement efforts
of private, nonprofit organizations and Federal, state, and local government
agencies to eliminate poverty and poverty-related problems by enabling persons
from all walks of life and all age groups to perform meaningful and constructive
service as volunteers. Funding: $85 million. Local Program Access:
Application and inquiry forms to be assigned volunteers are available through
the Corporation for National Service State Office.
Federal Contact: Director of VISTA, Corporation for National Service,
(202) 606-5000, vista@americorps.org. (Notes: Examples of uses of
volunteers include providing low-income adults with tutoring services to improve
their literacy skills and to improve their employment potential through computer
literacy activities.)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Welfare –to-Work Formula Grants, Governors’ Set-Asides, and
Competitive Grants
Enabling Legislation: Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
Purpose: Provide transitional employment assistance to hardest-to-employ
TANF recipients and non-custodial parents of low-income children. Funding:
Approximately $1 billion (FY 1999) for formula grants to state labor agencies
and three rounds of national competitive grants averaging about $275 million
each. Funds are good for five years, and many states have funds remaining from
previous years. Governors may retain up to 15% of the state formula allocation
for discretionary activities. The remaining 85% must be suballocated to local
Workforce Investment Areas. Local Program Access: For competitive
grants contact U.S. Department of Labor. For Governor’s discretionary grants,
contact the state labor agency. For funds distributed to localities, contact
the director of the local Workforce Investment Area employment and training
program. Federal Contact: Dennis Lieberman, Employment and Training
Administration, (202) 693-3375, dlieberman@dol.eta.gov. (Notes: Of a number
of potential uses of the funds are pre-placement vocational education for a
period of 12 months (some States may define vocational education as having a
basic skills or ESL component), and basic skills or ESL delivered as a
post-employment service. Although there has been no appropriation for this
program since the first two years, there are still significant unspent amounts
of funding in State labor agencies and local workforce investment areas.)
Statewide Workforce
Investment Activities for Youth, Adults and Dislocated Workers
Enabling Legislation: Workforce Investment
Act of 1998, Title I. Purpose: Provide workforce investment activities
through statewide systems that increase skill attainment by participants and, as
a result, improve the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, and
enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the nation. Funding:
$950 million for adults. $489 million for dislocated workers along with
approximately $1 billion advanced from a prior year. $1.128 billion for youth.
These funds are distributed by formula to state labor agencies. Of the formula
distribution of monies for youth, adults, and dislocated workers, the governor
may retain as much as 15% to be used in behalf of any or all of the populations
for which the funds were authorized. Local Program Access: Local
provider agencies must contact the state labor agency to apply for funding.
Federal Contact: Shirley Smith, Employment and Training Administration,
(202) 693-3500, ssmith@dol.eta.gov. (Notes: Basic skills instruction is
allowable as a service to youth. Youth is defined as ages 14-21 and some
differences in treatment are prescribed for younger youth (14-17) and older
youth (18-21). Basic skills instruction is authorized in Title I only if
delivered as part of “intensive services” as short-term prevocational
instruction or in combination with another authorized training activity. When
Title I funds are used to support basic skills instruction, providers are
subject to the employment-oriented performance measures of Title I rather than
the more education-oriented measures of WIA Title II, the Adult Education and
Family Literacy Act.)
Workforce Investment Act Activities for
Adults and Dislocated Workers:
Administered Via Local Workforce
Investment Areas
Enabling Legislation: Workforce Investment Act of
1998, Title I. Purpose: Provide workforce investment activities through
statewide systems that increase skill attainment by participants and, as a
result, improve the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, and
enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the nation. Funding:
Approximately $2.5 billion distributed by formulas to state labor agencies. At
least 85% of formula funding to a state is further distributed to local
Workforce Investment Areas to be used to operate One-Stop systems. Local
Program Access: Local provider agencies should contact the director of the
local Workforce Investment Area. Contact: http://nawb.org. (Notes:
One-Stop systems are required to deliver three categories of service – core
services, intensive services, and training. One component of core services is
basic skills assessment. Components of intensive services are diagnostic testing
and comprehensive assessments and short term prevocational skills. Basic skills
is authorized as a training activity if it is conducted in combination with
occupational skills training, skill upgrading and retraining, skill upgrading
and retraining, entrepreneurial training or job readiness training. The
legislation gives no guidance with respect to proportions in any combination.
One-Stop systems will expect local providers to use their Title II funds first
to support basic skills instruction before devoting Title I funds to such
activity. When Title I funds are used to support basic skills instruction,
providers are subject to the employment-oriented performance measures of Title I
rather than the more education-oriented measures of WIA Title II, the Adult
Education and Family Literacy Act.)
Workforce
Investment Activities for Youth
Enabling Legislation: Workforce Investment
Act of 1998, Title I. Purpose: Provide workforce investment activities
through statewide systems that increase skill attainment by participants and, as
a result, improve the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, and
enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the nation. Funding:
$1.128 billion distributed to state labor agencies by formula. At least 85% of
formula funding to each state must be suballocated to local Workforce Investment
Areas to carry out youth activities. Local Workforce Investment Areas may, but
are not required to, involve youth in the One-Stop system. Local Program
Access: Local provider agencies should contact the director of the local
Workforce Investment Area program. Federal Contact: Lorenzo Harrison,
Office of Youth Services, (202) 693-3030, lharrison@dol.eta.gov. (Notes:
Each Workforce Investment Area must have a “Youth Council” comprised of some
members of the local Workforce Investment Board, and some from the community at
large. Thirty percent of a local area’s youth allotment must be spent on
out-of-school youth. Among allowable activities for out-of-school youth are
tutoring, study skills training, and instruction leading to completion to
completion of secondary school.)
Youth Opportunity
Grants
Enabling Legislation: Workforce Investment
Act of 1998, Title I. Purpose: Provide comprehensive service to youth
in high poverty areas located in Empowerment Zones, Enterprise Communities, high
poverty areas located on Indian Reservations, and other high poverty zones
designated by the states. Funding: $225 million distributed by the
Secretary of Labor. Local Program Access: Local Workforce Investment
Boards that serve any of the above may apply for Youth Opportunity Grants. Local
providers should contact the local director of the Workforce Investment Area
program. Federal Contact: Lorenzo Harrison, Office of Youth
Services, (202) 693-3030, lharrison@dol.eta.gov. (Notes: The lower age for
an adult in WIA, Title II (the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act) can be
16. The age range for youth in WIA, Title I, is 14-21. Because of this overlap
activities for some youthful participants such as the pursuit of a high school
diploma or the recognized equivalent may be funded out of either title.
Consequently, adult education providers may become involved in Youth Opportunity
Grants.)
SECTION III – RESEARCH,
DEMONSTRATION,
AND OTHER SPECIAL
PROGRAMS
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
National Institute for
Literacy
Enabling Legislation: Workforce Investment
Act of 1998, Title II (Adult Education and Family Literacy Act). Purpose:
To provide a national focal point for literacy within and outside of the federal
government. Services: Conduct basic and applied research in the
development of national policies regarding literacy goals, objectives, and
strategies: provide coordination assistance; assist in policy analysis and
evaluation; provide program and technical assistance to state and local groups,
including staff training; collect and disseminate information; and coordinate
and disseminate information; and coordinate and track the literacy programs of
federal agencies. Funding: $6.0 million. Access: There are no
restrictions on whom NIFL can serve or assist. Its grants and services cut
across program type, and system and geographical boundaries. Federal Contact:
Sandra Baxter, Interim Director, NIFL, (202) 233-2025, sbaxter@nifl.gov. (Notes:
The Reading First and Early Reading First programs of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act gives the Institute an additional responsibility – that
of disseminating information on scientifically based reading research and
reports on effective reading programs for both children and parents.)
Adult Education: National Leadership Activities
Enabling Legislation: Workforce Investment Act of
1998, Title II (Adult Education and Family Literacy Act). Purpose:
Support national evaluations of the impact of federal money allocated to states
for adult education and literacy programs, support technical assistance to
states, conduct professional development, surveys, develop curricula, analyze
data and support distance learning demonstrations. Funding: $9.5
million. Local Program Access: Respond to RFPs issued by the
Secretary. Federal Contact: Dennis Berry, Office of Vocational and
Adult Education, (202) 205-5454, Dennis.Berry@ed.gov. (Notes: The
Department of Education, through its Office of Vocational and Adult Education
and its Office of Education Research and Improvement, may combine funding with
the National Institute for Literacy and the National Institute for Child Health
and Human Development and solicit applications for research and demonstration
grants.)
INDIAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN, AND ALASKAN NATIVE EDUCATION
Enabling Legislation: Elementary and Secondary
Education Act, Title VII is called “Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaskan Native
Education.
- ESEA Part A, Sec.7101, et seq., is Indian
Education. Sec. 7136 deals with “Improvement of Educational Opportunities
for Adult Indians.” Purpose: to improve employment opportunities,
provide basic literacy services and opportunities to earn a secondary diploma,
or its recognized equivalent, support research and the conduct of surveys and
encourage dissemination of information about effective practices. It
authorizes the Secretary to make grants to SEAs, LEAs, and Indian tribes,
institutions
and
organizations to support planning, pilot, and demonstration projects.
Funding:
This activity shares an
authorization of $24 million with a number of similar projects for Indian
children’s education. Local Program Access: Federal Contact and Funding
Information: Cathie Martin, Office of Indian Education, Office of Elementary
and Secondary Education, (202) 260-3774, Cathie.Martin@ed.gov or Mary Brayboy,
(202) 260-1648, Mary.Brayboy@ed.gov.
- ESEA Part B, Sec.7201, et.seq., is Native
Hawaiian Education. Purpose: Provide direction and guidance to
appropriate federal, State and local agencies to focus resources on Native
Hawaiian education. Supplement and expand existing programs in the area of
education for Native Hawaiians. Encourage the maximum participation of Native
Hawaiians in planning and management of Native Hawaiian education programs.
Funding: Native Hawaiian education has an appropriation of $30,500,000
for FY 2002. Local Program Access: The Secretary is authorized to
make grants to Native Hawaiian education organizations, Native Hawaiian
community based organizations, experienced public and private nonprofit
organizations, and consortia of the above. Sec.7205 (a)(3)(H)(iii) permits
operators of community based learning centers to conduct vocational and adult
education programs. Sec. 7205(a)(3) cites as priorities the development of
academic and vocational curricula to meet the needs of Native Hawaiian
children and adults as well as family literacy services and “other activities,
consistent with the purposes of this part, to meet the needs of educational
needs of Native Hawaiian children and adults.” Federal Contact: Lynn
W. Thomas, Alaska Native & Native Hawaiian Programs, (202) 260-1541,
Lynn.Thomas@gov.ed.
- ESEA Part C, Sec.7301, et seq., is Alaskan
Native Education. Purpose: Recognize the unique educational needs
of Alaska Natives. Develop supplemental educational programs to benefit
Alaska Natives. Provide direction and guidance to appropriate federal, state,
and local agencies to focus resources on meeting the educational needs of
Alaska Natives. Sec.7304 (a)(2)(E) makes family literacy services a
permissible activity. Sec.7304 (a)(2)(G) does the same for research and data
collection activities to determine the educational status and needs of Alaskan
Native children and adults. Funding: Part C is appropriated at $24
million for FY 2002. Federal Contact: Lynn W. Thomas, Alaska Native &
Native Hawaiian Programs, (202) 260-1541,
Lynn.Thomas@ed.gov
