Latest on Federal Funding for Literacy

ProLiteracy lobbies for federal funding for community based adult literacy programs which Florida's programs really need.   Here is a report on funding from ProLiteracy which we posted on the VALF wiki .http://literacyflorida.wikispaces.com/Announcements  The report gives an update on funding as compared to last year which might be available.

It desribes a meeting ProLiteracy had with the Department of Education's Office of Vocational Assessment & Education (OVAE).  They encouraged DOE to change the grant program so that organizations like  volunteer literacy programs who serve the lowest level learners can compete for grant funds. They recommended that there be greater flexibility to the intensity and duration of instruction provisions and that the National Reporting System is revised to better meet needs of learners at all literacy levels. 

It is very difficult for Florida's communtiy based programs to get federal dollars to serve learners.  It is important that there be changes in the way the federal funding is distributed in Florida.  In these difficult times when program's like Jacksonville's Learn to Read program almost folded--regular funding is vital.  The  Jacksonville Public Library is helping save that program by providing space, but ongoing dollars are needed.

VALF is a member of ProLiteracy.

Florida Library Association Conference Poster Session.

Gina Bingham and Ava Iuliano, VALF student interns, attended the FLA Conference on Friday, April 9th to present a scholarly poster on adult and family literacy programs during times of economic recession and to raise awareness of VALF’s efforts. Outlining the importance of volunteer literacy programs, the effectiveness of peer-to-peer teaching and the skill of volunteer tutors, the poster generated a lot of interest among FLA attendees. Gina and Ava were also able to drum up interest in VLAF’s new student intern program among library science students. If you missed us at FLA, be sure to see us during the Florida Literacy Conference!
Blog post by Ava Iuliano