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Greater Hartford Literacy Council Advocacy Alerts/Updates issued on:
Advocacy Update issued on May 1, 2006
Adult Literacy Study Commissioned by Legislature
On April 27, 2006, the Program Review and Investigations (PRI) committee of the state legislature approved a study of adult literacy to be conducted in the time period between this legislative session and the beginning of the 2007 session. The PRI committee is a joint, bipartisan, statutory committee of the Connecticut General Assembly comprised of 12 members. The impetus for the study came from members of the state legislature’s Higher Education Committee. The study is expected to include interviews with stakeholders and experts and a review of all data sources, reports and national trends.
A briefing report to the PRI committee is expected in the late summer - early fall regarding the research, the issues they are finding, and comparisons with other states. The committee will have informational public hearings in the early fall for the public to comment on the preliminary findings, and then the staff will draft final findings. The Literacy Council will be following this process very closely and provide updates when information is available.
Following is an excerpt from the Scope of the Study approved by the PRI committee:
“Given the many different program locations and operators, and the variety of funding sources and mandates, concerns have been raised about the adequacy of coordination and consistency of standards and opportunities. Legislators have also expressed interest in accountability for program outcomes and the success of the current system in meeting adult literacy needs now and in the future.” “The study will focus on: 1) examining how adult literacy programs and services are funded, delivered, and overseen in Connecticut; and 2) determining if the state’s current system for providing adult literacy services through adult basic education, secondary school completion, workplace education, family literacy, and English as a Second Language programs is efficient and effective.”
Advocacy Alert issued on April 3, 2006
State Level It appears that funding has been added to the Department of Labor budget to support HB 5024. Building on the success of the Greater Hartford Literacy Council’s TANF Workforce Literacy Pilot Project, this bill will provide funding for the Department of Labor to oversee pilot projects that will integrate basic skills education and job training programs across the state.
Federal Level There have been some major developments on the FFY 07 U.S. House Budget Resolution and we anticipate action on the House floor as early as Thursday, April 6th.
Over the past couple of weeks, more than two dozen moderate House members who can prevent a bad budget from passing have been saying NO to cuts in services.
§ education § food packages for the poor § housing § child care § meals on wheels § many other services
If you are not sure who your Congressional Representative is, go to www.house.gov, type in your Zip+4 digit zip code (e.g., 01234-5555) and click Go. If you do not know your Zip+4 digit zip code, go to www.usps.com and click on Find A Zip Code.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS & RSVP: Connecticut Voices for Children is planning an educational meeting on the FFY 07 budget on Tuesday, April 11th at 9:30 a.m. in Room 1A of the Legislative Office Building. Please RSVP to Katie McKeon at katiem@ctkidslink.org if you plan on attending the meeting.
For more information, contact the Greater Hartford Literacy Council at (860) 522-7323 or e-mail our Community Liaison at Jennifer.I.Torres@po.state.ct.us.
To be removed from our Advocacy Alert list, please send an e-mail to: Jennifer.I.Torres@po.state.ct.us
Advocacy Alert issued on March 14, 2006
Immediate Action Needed TODAY to Support the Federal Workforce System
Critical Amendments will be voted on today that can restore funding to the Workforce Investment Act and other important education programs that provide pathways to self-sufficiency.
Current Hill Action: There are two amendments on the Senate floor being offered of great interest to the workforce system. They both could be voted on as early as today.
First, Senators Specter and Harkin are offering an amendment that would add $7 billion to Budget Functions 500, 550, and 600 (which are comprised of all programs within the purview of the Labor- HHS Appropriations Subcommittee). The amendment would restore funding for education, health, social services, and WIA programs to FY 05 levels. The education and health communities are strongly supporting this amendment, it is a major amendment in the budget debate that would make a dramatic difference in Senate funding prospects for key domestic programs, including WIA.
There is concern that if a vote occurs on the Kennedy Amendment before the Specter/Harkin Amendment, they may lose some support for their amendment, which refunds the entire Labor-HHS funding allocation. However, Specter and Harkin are working to have their vote before the Kennedy Amendment.
Your voice is essential to get your Senator’s support!
Connecticut Senators:
Please visit http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index.cfm or call the Capitol switchboard at 202/224-3121 for the number and contact information for your Senator.
Please let WOW know of your action for these amendments in order for them to keep a record of your great efforts. Do not hesitate to contact Deborah Cutler-Ortiz, WOW’s Director of National Programs and Policy (dcortiz@wowonline.org) with any questions.
This advocacy alert was submitted by Kate Farrar, Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW).
Advocacy Alert issued on February 24, 2006
Please Join CT Voices for Children for a Briefing on the President’s Fiscal Year 2007 Federal Budget Proposal and a Review of the Federal Budget Process
When: Tuesday, February 28th, 2006 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Where: Hartford, CT, Specific location TBD
RSVP: Please RSVP to Katie McKeon at katiem@ctkidslink.org. The number of RSVPs will determine the location of this meeting so please confirm your attendance as soon as possible. For more information, please contact Katie McKeon.
Background Information: 1) CT Voices for Children's press release on the President's FY 07 budget (with Connecticut specific data); and
NOTE: If there are particular funding cuts that have been missed in your issue areas, please let CT Voices for Children know about it.
This advocacy alert was submitted by Katie McKeon, CT Voices for Children.
Advocacy Update issued on February 10, 2006
Governor Rell’s budget calls for:
The bill regarding the workforce readiness of the jobs first program participants, No. 5024, has been raised. The Committee on Higher Education and Employment Advancement has scheduled the public hearing for Tuesday, February 14 at 1:00. There is an opportunity for Connecticut’s community-based organizations such as LVA affiliates to provide the services suggested in this bill. Please contact Judy Blei if you plan to testify. 1-860-428-1542
Here’s the link for the bill: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2006/TOB/H/2006HB-05024-R00-HB.htm
As a result of our ongoing advocacy efforts, the Connecticut Association of Human Services, One Connecticut, the Welfare Working Group and others have included additional funding for adult basic education in their legislative agendas for this session!
Advocacy at the State Level The Literacy Council advocates for literacy-related initiatives and legislation by providing testimony at public hearings, meeting with key legislators at the Capitol, preparing fact sheets and reports, aligning efforts with other groups, and contracting a lobbyist.
The Literacy Council has been actively pursuing alliances with and participating in the development of advocacy groups and other coalitions dedicated to achieving the systemic reforms needed to support literacy improvement for all Greater Hartford residents. Several of these are listed below. These activities are in response to the recommendations outlined in our report, Take Action for Literacy: The Status of Literacy in Greater Hartford 2003. (System Coordination Recommendation #4: A “coalition of coalitions” should be formed among anti-poverty, human services, education and workforce development organizations/organizing bodies to streamline coordination and identify shared goals.)
§ Coalition for a Working Connecticut The Literacy Council has joined with more than 40 statewide and regional organizations working together to develop and advocate for effective workforce solutions that will increase workers’ skills, advance families to self-sufficiency and promote job creation and economic growth in the state. This newly formed coalition is aligning the efforts of educational and vocational training programs to address barriers to success in the workforce for Connecticut youth and adults.
§ CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION FOR HUMAN SERVICES www.cahs.org The Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) is a statewide nonprofit organization that works to reduce poverty, strengthen families and reconnect communities through advocacy supported by outreach, research, and education. The Literacy Council is a member of the CAHS advisory board and is working with them to advance shared goals related to literacy and education.
§ One connecticut www.onect.org The Literacy Council has recently become a member of the advocacy organization, One Connecticut. The mission of One Connecticut is to narrow our state’s divides in health care, education, income and housing through sufficient public investment, equitable taxes and a vibrant democracy.
§ THE TANF COUNCIL In recognition of his expertise in adult literacy programming, Carl Guerriere, Executive Director/Literacy Advocate for the Literacy Council was recently appointed by House Majority Leader Christopher Donovan to the Council to Monitor Implementation of Temporary Family Assistance Program and Employment Services Program.
§ Welfare working group The Welfare Working Group is a network of nearly 25 advocates and advocacy groups who have monitored the impact of state and federal welfare changes since the mid 1990’s. The Literacy Council is a member of this group and works with them to actively pursue and support policy changes and legislation that will improve the system of services for people receiving Temporary Financial Assistance.
Advocacy Alert issued on January 31, 2006
This alert was provided by Connecticut Voices for Children.
In this e-mail: 1) Budget Reconciliation Conference Bill Goes Back to the U.S House; and 2) The U.S. Senate takes up the Tax Reconciliation Bill.
1) Conference Agreement of Budget Reconciliation Bill Goes Back to the U.S. House: The modified conference agreement that passed the U.S. Senate in December will RETURN to the U.S. House for another vote as early as February 1, 2006. For more information on the budget reconciliation conference agreement, please visit: http://www.ctkidslink.org/pub_detail_271.html
When our CT House members had their FIRST chance to vote on the conference agreement on Monday, December 19th, Representatives Shays, Simmons and Johnson voted YES on the bill. (Representatives DeLauro and Larson voted NO.) Representative Simmons has already said that he will vote no when the conference agreement is taken up in the House.
Rep. Chris Shays: (202) 225-5541 (DC) or (203) 579-5870 (Bridgeport) Rep. Nancy Johnson: (202) 225-4476 (DC) or (860) 223-8412 (New Britain)
Rep. Rob Simmons: (202) 225-2076 (DC) or (860) 886-0139 (Norwich)Rep. Rosa DeLauro: (202) 225-3661(DC) or (203) 562-3718(New Haven)Rep. John Larson: (202) 225-2265 (DC) or (860) 278-8888 (Hartford)2) The U.S. Senate is expected to take up the tax reconciliation bill on Wednesday, February 1st.
Senator Chris Dodd: (202) 224-2823 (DC) or (860) 258-6940Senator Joe Lieberman: (202) 224-4041 (DC) or (860) 549-8463
Advocacy Alert issued on January 5, 2006
State Level
PUBLIC FORUM
Sowing Prosperity: Low-Income Working Families and Connecticut’s Economic Future
Date & Time: January 11, 2006 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Room 2E Legislative Office Building Hartford, CT
Forum Participants will comment on the Sowing Prosperity recommendations and their implications for Connecticut. Forum Participants will include: Moderator: Juan Figueroa, President, Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut Invited Panelists: Debra Delgado, Manager, CT Grantmaking, The Annie E. Casey Foundation Reverend Bonita Grubbs, Executive Director, Christian Community Action House Majority Leader Martin Looney Peter Hurst, President, Community’s Bank of Greater Bridgeport Alice Pritchard, Executive Director, CT Women’s Legal and Education Fund
Federal Level
This update was provided by the National Coalition for Literacy.
This update contains information on a number of issues that need to be addressed as we move into the FY 07 federal budget cycle.
A. Final Action on FY 06 Appropriation:
THE PRESIDENT HAS SIGNED INTO LAW THE FY 06 LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES APPROPRIATIONS BILL. This ends the long process that started on Feb. 7, 2006 when President Bush proposed a 66% cut in our funding. As a result of your fine work with the US Congress all but 1% of that funding was restored. The 1% cut from the FY 05 appropriation came as the result of an across the board decrease for all government agencies except for veterans affairs. If you have not yet notified your field of this outcome you might want to get that word out. Here in New Hampshire we have tried to communicate those "good news" messages in many ways, the best one seems to be a one page brightly colored flyer to each student enrolled in September in any of our programs which said:
"NEW HAMPSHIRE'S ADULT EDUCATION STUDENTS WIN HUGE VICTORIES IN SUPPORT OF ADULT EDUCATION FUNDING. In a massive outpouring of support for adult education programs over the past seven months the adult education community in New Hampshire convinced the Governor and State Legislature to increase state funding and the US Congress to restore funding cuts proposed by President Bush. Congratulations to everyone who participated in this work, but particularly to the students in adult education programs who were the most responsible for these victories at the State and Federal levels."
The figure for Even Start in the final budget is $99 million, a significant reduction from the current $225 million.
B. Initial Action on FY 07 Appropriations
On February 6, 2006 President Bush will present his FY 07 Budget Proposal to Congress. At this point in time we have no hard information on the figure that will be included for adult education. We are hoping the President will include at least level funding for our programs. Since we will not know the figure until Feb. 6 we are planning for two possible scenarios: One would be another proposed cut of the magnitude reflected in last year's proposal and the second would be level funding. If we find ourselves in a similar position to last year we will again mount a massive effort to restore the funding. If we are level funded we focus the campaign, CAMPAIGN 700, on increasing the appropriation from the current level to $700 million. This would represent a 24% increase in the funding level and would be consistent with our stated goal of eventually bringing federal funding to $1 Billion.
C. Reviewing our Work and Preparing for the Next Campaign
It would be helpful to review your state network in light of our launching a new campaign next month. You may want to ask your key people if they are willing to sign on for another year, review the coverage of the statewide network to identify areas that need some assistance, and clarify the positions of both US Senators and all members of the House on funding for adult education. Most importantly, I also hope that each of you will be able to continue this work. Along with the members of your networks in the field the 104 people on this list are the backbone of the entire national effort, however even you should have the opportunity to take a break. Please let me know if it becomes necessary for you to find another person in your state to take over the Single Point of Contact responsibilities.
D. Professional Development for Advocates
Many of you have begun the formal process of sharing your expertise on advocacy with others in your state. One of the main ways that seems to work is to insure that every state and regional adult education conference has some type of session (s) on Public Policy and Advocacy. Some of the sessions are panel discussions, other are sharing sessions and some more formal presentations. It is important that we provide the opportunities for the people in our states who are involved in this work to reflect with and learn from others committed to the effort.
While we currently do not have the capacity to provide technical assistance across the country, several people in the network have indicated their availability to help other states further develop the advocacy skills of their members. In April there will be presentations on advocacy at the Mountain Plains Adult Education Conference in Denver and COABE in Houston. If you would like some help in this area please let me know. We will see what we can work out.
E. Congressional Recess
Members of the House will not be returning to Washington until Jan. 31, 2006. Since they will be home in their Congressional districts this would be a good time to invite them to visit an adult education center and to thank them for their support over the past year. The Senate is scheduled to return on Jan. 18 so there may also be some opportunities for visits by Senators to local programs.
F. Planning for Mid-Term Elections
All of the US House and 1/3 of the US Senate seats will be contested in Nov of this year. States should develop plans that will put the need for adult education funding in front of the major candidates for these positions, as early in the campaigns as possible. Several factors to keep in mind: in the last election 98% of the incumbents for House seats were reelected, primary elections are already being held so that you will know very soon who the two major candidates will be for those seats. We want to get the need for adult education funding into the discussions of issues associated with each campaign.
Two possible ways to make this happen are contacting the campaign staff for each candidate to get the candidate's position on our issue and raising the question of adult education funding at campaign forums and small "meet the candidate" sessions.
G. Update on TANF and WIA Reauthorization
There is rumor that another attempt may be made to get WIA Reauthorization through the Senate shortly after they return this month. We will continue to monitor any activity in this area but there is a good chance that there will be no activity on the bill until the 2007 session.
TANF Reauthorization is included in the Budget Reconciliation Bill that needs one more vote by the House to become law. Details are hard to come by at this point but we do know that the Superwaiver provision included in the House version of the bill was deleted in conference. We do not know the final answer on provisions that would allow TANF clients to participate full time in GED programs for a period of 3 or 6 months. We should have the answers on this issue within the next week.
Advocacy Update issued on January 1, 2006
Release of 2003 NAAL
In a press conference in Washington, D.C. on December 15, 2005 at 9:30 am EST, Mark Schneider, Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released the latest National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) results. NAAL is a nationally representative assessment of literacy skills of adults aged 16 and older. Commissioned by the U.S. Department of Education, the NAAL report provides estimates of adult literacy skills at the national level and estimates of changes in adult literacy skills since the last national assessment in 1992. State and county level data is expected to be released in the summer of 2006.
To access the NAAL website, click here.
NAAL in the News
View the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams—a two-minute piece on NAAL. More than 8 million people nationwide viewed the story. To view the video, click here. Also, check LINCS News Flashes (Literacy in the News), to view NAAL coverage in the national, state and local media since December 15, 2005.
NAAL and the Media: The Story We Should Be Telling A message from David J. Rosen, Adult Literacy Advocate To the AAACE-NLA mailing list The Literacy Council supports David J. Rosen’s commentary.
I wonder what you think of the articles you have seen about the NAAL results. I don’t like the ones I have seen. Most are hand-wringers. They bemoan the loss of standards in higher education, where according to the NAAL results, relatively few are proficient in literacy. They focus on the 13% of Americans at the “below basic” level. They despair at how immigrants are the problem. (They aren’t.) And so far, there has been almost no analysis, no synthesis, not even much hypothesis.
In the past two weeks I have seen only one sensible article about adult literacy education, and it’s not about the NAAL. It’s about our smallest state and how an adult learner and his family have benefited from adult classes. It’s about how he made an investment in his education, and how an adult education program made an investment in him, and the return on that investment for him, his family and Rhode Island. It’s about a Governor who believes that this kind of investment is essential for the Rhode Island economy. It’s about a new state adult education director who is determined to build a system of adult education. And it’s about the importance of a public and private investment to make that happen. It’s about an immigrant who came to this country with a sixth grade education, who was determined to use adult literacy education classes to get the skills he needed to advance, how he became a worker, a taxpayer, an American citizen, and recently a home buyer. It’s about how, through their words and actions, he and his wife show their children how important education is.
This is the kind of article that I want to see in every newspaper in the country. We have had enough articles about the funding crisis, enough articles deploring the decline of American literacy. We need articles about how investing—this appears to be the right word -- in adult literacy and English language learning pays off, that it’s a good investment. As a colleague recently pointed out to me, this is the investment that makes other social investments (welfare reform, health education, job skills training, early childhood education, children’s literacy, and others) succeed.
The article, in the Providence Journal, will be found at: http://www.projo.com/education/content/.
Please let us know when you get an article, editorial, op ed, or letter to the editor—one that shows how adult learners, adult learner leaders, practitioners and public policy leaders are investing in adult education -- in your local newspaper. To contact David J. Rosen, click here.
To view some articles on effective programs and learners’ achievements, click here.
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