NIFL Community Literacy Summit 2007 March 19 2007

NIFL Community Literacy Summit 2007 March 19, 2007 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 1

Community Literacy Health Care Center based Sites Hartford Job Corps Post. Secondary Schools and Colleges PUBLIC SCHOOLS Family Resource Centers Unions Human Service Organizations Community Based Organizations Family Centers 11/3/2020 Correctional Facilities Adult Basic Education Programs Libraries Job Training Programs Diagram of Service Delivery Sites Programs for Adults (16 and older) Greater Hartford Literacy Council Faith-based Sites 2

A Call to Action: Everyone Has a Role in Improving Literacy 1. Literacy enhancement must be a priority 2. Low literacy is the common thread connecting our nation’s challenges 3. Leadership is needed at all levels 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 3

Assumptions • The scope of the problem is greater than any one organization • The scope of the literacy problem is beyond any one literacy organization • The scope of the literacy problem is beyond literacy 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 4

Assumptions • The issues of literacy are intertwined with the issues of poverty and racism. • Efforts employed to improve literacy become efforts to improve social justice. 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 5

Assumptions • • • We know what needs to be done We have the resources The divide is getting larger A paradigm shift is needed A power shift is needed 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 6

Assumptions • It’s all about political and economic power • • Learners Literacy providers Political leaders Funders 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 7

Long-Term Solutions ü State Government ü Federal Government ü Partnerships with the private sector 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 8

Greater Hartford Literacy Council • Formed in 2001 as an outgrowth of City Task Force • Strategic partners – – – City of Hartford Public Schools Hartford Public Library Capital Workforce Partners Hartford Foundation for Public Giving • More than 100 members – – – Literacy providers Human service organizations Businesses Government Individuals 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 9

Hartford Demographics 2000 Census • Population – Latino – Black – White • • 124, 387 (2003) 40% 38% 22% Language other than English Below poverty 31% Median income $24, 820 Homeownership 25% 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 47% 10

Below Level 3 Literacy (NALS 1993) 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 11

The Situation • Critical number of residents with low literacy skills • Much about literacy assets and needs is unknown • Fragmented network of literacy services throughout the region • Yankee individualism- collaboration is an unnatural act between two or more consenting or non-consenting adults 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 12

Regional Assessment of Literacy Needs and Assets Community Literacy Enhancement Across the Region (CLEAR) Joining forces as a region to address low literacy 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 13

Goals • To develop a coordinated, well-integrated system of effective, high-quality literacy services across the region • To strengthen providers of literacy services • To strengthen the systems that deliver literacy services 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 14

CLEAR Partners • United Way of the Capital Area • Capital Region Education Council (LEA) • Capital Workforce Partners (WIB) 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 15

Impact of the Initiative • An accurate snapshot of present situation from which to measure progress • Community-wide involvement • Enhanced capacity of providers • Meaningful partnerships created • Systemic change leading to policy and funding reforms 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 16

Oversight Committee • Comprised of 20 key organizations • Role is to advise and coordinate the CLEAR initiative • Supported by GHLC staff and consultant(s) 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 17

Data Collection • Assets and Needs 5. Task Forces ü ESOL Assessment 1. 2. 3. 4. Demographic data Existing reports Provider survey Focus groups 11/3/2020 ü ü Learners w/ Disabilities Workplace Health Child, Youth, Adult, & Family ü Funding and Policy Greater Hartford Literacy Council 18

Survey of Literacy Providers • 69 organizations throughout the region were asked to complete an on-line survey • $100 stipend was offered to complete survey 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 19

Focus Groups • Youth in and out of literacy services • Adults in and out of literacy services • Human Service Providers 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 20

Products • Baseline Reports including an annual “Status of Literacy in Greater Hartford” with recommendations for action • Service Directory(ies) • Website 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 21

Implementation Phase 2003 and 2004 • Analysis of Models and Best Practices • Develop Quality Standards for literacy services • Advocate for policy changes and funding needed to implement standards and best practices • Service Directories 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 22

Key Features • The Greater Hartford Literacy Council and CLEAR partners leading the region in literacy enhancement • Model for system change • Each participant fully engaged and committed 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 23

Four Interrelated Focus Areas 1. System Coordination 2. Service Delivery and Capacity Building 3. Public Awareness and Advocacy 4. Funding for Literacy 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 24

Challenges for intermediary organizations • In times of limited resources, we should fund organizations that provide direct literacy instruction • We do not need another bureaucratic layer • Can you demonstrate your impact on improving literacy levels? 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 25

The TANF Workforce Literacy Pilot Project 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 26

Goals of the Pilot Project • • • Test our workforce literacy model Increase literacy skills Capture snapshot of educational needs Evaluate process Make recommendations 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 27

Workforce Literacy Model • Comprehensive assessment • Basic skills development integrated with job readiness skill development • Case management/support services • Quality staff and instruction – Intensive/Schedule – Individualized • Computer-assisted • 1: 1 and small group 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 28

Targeted Technical Assistance • • To facilitate a program shift To manage a multifaceted program To build capacity of the programs Preferably on site and hands on 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 29

Challenges • Paradigm adjustment needed – Employment specialists – TFA recipients – Program sites 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 30

Results! • 58 completed program • 81% retention rate • 15 week cycle not enough to raise all skills above 9 th grade level Native English speakers • 100% improved one or more grade level in one out of five reading skill areas Non-native English speakers • 83% improved one or more grade level in reading or listening skills 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 31

$$ Costs $$ $2, 500 Average cost per student $2, 930 Including technical assistance -Comprehensive assessment -Capacity building at sites 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 32

Results! • Legislature approved an additional $6. 5 million dollars for workforce literacy programming – $2. 2 earmarked for Greater Hartford • Facilitated a broad-based effort to support funding for adult literacy, the Campaign for Working Connecticut – Proposed legislation: $9, 000 • • • 11/3/2020 adult education incumbent worker training workforce training capacity building evaluation Greater Hartford Literacy Council 33

Literacy Council Intermediary Organization Our Role • • • Partnership Broker Source for Literacy Information and Resources Catalyst for Change 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 34

Partnerships and Alignment Working Together to Promote Literacy • Comcast Family Literacy Project • Trinity College & Connecti. Kids • Dutch Point Credit Union & Hartford Public Schools • Literacy in Healthcare Settings • Hartford Reads 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 35

Lessons Learned • Building Trust and Ownership: Each participant fully engaged and committed (top-down & bottom-up) – Mutual self-interest – Governance – Communication & Networking – Community Assessment – Strategic Plan – Collaborative projects (find willing & able partners) 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 36

On behalf of all children and adults who struggle with low literacy, “Thank you. ” 11/3/2020 Greater Hartford Literacy Council 37