Advocates Important for Library Literacy Program Successes!

West Palm Beach County Library AdultLiteracy Project was under threat of closure 20 years ago, one of several programs being considered for elimination. The program started in 1985. This week they are celebrating their survival and all of their acheivements this week.

 According to their most recent newsletter,
 

" It was twenty years ago, in the Spring of 1993, that motivated a group of volunteer tutors to do whatever they could to not let the program come to an end. This group of activists incorporated themselves as The Friends of Literacy (later renamed Library Literacy Friends, Inc.), and with great enthusiasm and purpose, put together an effort that made it possible for all of us to be adult literacy tutors today. "

Update on President's Budget

As most of you know, the President released his budget this past week. It looks like literacy is doing a little better than last year according to ProLiteracy.

For fiscal year 2014, President Obama has requested level funding at $595 million for adult basic education and literacy programs as compared to last year's funding levels. This amount includes $74.7 million for English Literacy/Civics Education. With sequestration and continuing resolutions, a level-funding proposal can be considered a modest success when other beneficial programs are being cut.

The president requested a small increase ($3 million) for National Leadership Programs, funding it in FY2014 at $14.3 million. The additional funding would be used for new grant awards to support reentry education models.

In Florida, it doesn't look like this will make much of a difference, since FDOE is only continuing current grants.  If your volunteer program does not have a grant or is not connected with someone who does, you won't get any new money this year.

VALF will be announcing our grant award winners at our annual meeting on May 10 in Captiva.