NCFL Book for Volunteers

Planning for Volunteers in Literacy: A Guidebook is available from
NCFL Look under Life Literacies which also includes health, technology and other free resources. A lot in this guidebook will not be new to established programs, but the unique aspect is how to work with families. The book can be downloaded and covers such topics as assessment, cost/benefit, developing staff, roles, recruitment etc.

Some volunteer programs find they need to go into the home to work with the full family. One, very well trained volunteer, can provide the four components. The tutor can more easily model PACT, parent and child together time in the home. Some of the best learning is by seeing and doing. Home visits work well for babies and toddlers.

Family literacy is challenging for volunteer programs. Most find it easier to add components, based on the goals of the parents. So, if a parent said his/her goal was to help their child with literacy, a tutor could add a PACT component working with the child. Of course, before that the tutor must provide a parenting session covering strategies for the parents. This works well in small groups. Parents enjoy learning and advising each other, if they have the time to get together.
Sandy Newell, President, VALF