Comments on: About http://blog.ncladvocacy.org Advocating for public policies that support adult literacy Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:47:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: mltait http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/about_this_blog/comment-page-1/#comment-140 mltait Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:13:11 +0000 http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/?page_id=2#comment-140 Hi Jean. I could not agree with you more! We need to increase our advocacy efforts at every level -- local, state, and federal -- if we want adult education to get the attention it deserves. There are many resources in the NCL Advocacy Toolkit and Clearinghouse to help you do this. Although sometimes our NCL policy alerts pertain to specific federal legislative activity, the resources, tools, and techniques can be applied at any level. Also, you never know where someone you cultivate as a champion locally may end up, or how they may be in a position to help your program or the cause at a later point in time. Keep us posted on your local efforts! Hi Jean. I could not agree with you more! We need to increase our advocacy efforts at every level — local, state, and federal — if we want adult education to get the attention it deserves. There are many resources in the NCL Advocacy Toolkit and Clearinghouse to help you do this. Although sometimes our NCL policy alerts pertain to specific federal legislative activity, the resources, tools, and techniques can be applied at any level. Also, you never know where someone you cultivate as a champion locally may end up, or how they may be in a position to help your program or the cause at a later point in time. Keep us posted on your local efforts!

]]> By: Jean Sherrod http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/about_this_blog/comment-page-1/#comment-127 Jean Sherrod Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:01:15 +0000 http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/?page_id=2#comment-127 While advocating for adult literacy at the federal level is of great importance, there also seems to be a need for advocacy in our communities and at our own community college campuses. Educating the public seems to be the first logical step to take in promoting the importance and necessity of our basic skills programs. While advocating for adult literacy at the federal level is of great importance, there also seems to be a need for advocacy in our communities and at our own community college campuses. Educating the public seems to be the first logical step to take in promoting the importance and necessity of our basic skills programs.

]]> By: Barbara Van Horn http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/about_this_blog/comment-page-1/#comment-58 Barbara Van Horn Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:09:21 +0000 http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/?page_id=2#comment-58 As far as I know, Even Start doesn't require state funding. Local programs have to provide cost-sharing, but I don't think there is a state requirement. And, I think ALL states are having problems right now... not good for providing high quality adult and family literacy services. A sad situation. As far as I know, Even Start doesn’t require state funding. Local programs have to provide cost-sharing, but I don’t think there is a state requirement. And, I think ALL states are having problems right now… not good for providing high quality adult and family literacy services. A sad situation.

]]> By: Sonia Socha http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/about_this_blog/comment-page-1/#comment-53 Sonia Socha Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:40:55 +0000 http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/?page_id=2#comment-53 We will try to access our Senators on this. Does Even Start require any state funding to be a part of the operation-because if it does--Maryland has a problem with having enough state funding right now. We will try to access our Senators on this.

Does Even Start require any state funding to be a part of the operation-because if it does–Maryland has a problem with having enough state funding right now.

]]> By: Barb Van Horn http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/about_this_blog/comment-page-1/#comment-52 Barb Van Horn Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:38:19 +0000 http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/?page_id=2#comment-52 Sonia, thanks for a terrific post. As a former Marylander, I was delighted to hear that Sarbanes is such a supporter of adult and family literacy. Have you had any luck getting support from your senators? I understand that it will be very important to get support from senators to support Even Start since the Senate has, once again, eliminated funding for the program. We need to keep funding there at least until we can get through ESEA reauthorization. Just a general question for anyone else checking this blog: any opportunities to reach senators regarding support for Even Start? Sonia, thanks for a terrific post. As a former Marylander, I was delighted to hear that Sarbanes is such a supporter of adult and family literacy. Have you had any luck getting support from your senators? I understand that it will be very important to get support from senators to support Even Start since the Senate has, once again, eliminated funding for the program. We need to keep funding there at least until we can get through ESEA reauthorization.

Just a general question for anyone else checking this blog: any opportunities to reach senators regarding support for Even Start?

]]> By: Sonia Socha http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/about_this_blog/comment-page-1/#comment-39 Sonia Socha Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:08:36 +0000 http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/?page_id=2#comment-39 The South Baltimore Learning Center contacted Representative John Sarbanes of Maryland's 3rd District office staff to request a press conference to kick off Adult Education & Family Literacy Week. SBLC has developed on going working relationship with the congressman's office over the past few years. I had also contacted the office about the congressman being a sponsor of the resolution prior to it being passed. Remarkably, SBLC had the press conference confirmed only three days before it was scheduled for the morning of October 19 and much work had to take place quickly. However, it was well worth the it. We had two major Baltimore TV stations covering the story (and video to use afterwards), as well as pre and post releases & pictures that can be used in newsletters, websites and other appropriate places. The press conference program included Maryland's new State Director of Adult Education (Patricia Tyler) and the Policy Analyst (Lynn Selmser) from the National AE State Directors organization. It also included amazing success stories given by 3 SBLC graduates, and the opportunity to feature our statewide professional adult education association (MAACCE) along with the work it has done to raise awareness and funding in Maryland. The congressman was on site for about 90 minutes--and after the press conference he visited classes an spoke with learners and staff --he has done that once before about two years ago. During his speech at the press conference he not only pointed out the many benefits and great importance of adult education & family literacy for the country and Maryland (along with his support for the program), but he also cited SBLC as a national model program. It was an exciting opportunity for SBLC to have Congressman Sarbanes sponsor the press conference and take the lead for Maryland as part of this first ever national awareness program: Adult Education & Family Literacy Week. I am happy to share any pictures, videos, the press packet and the program with those interested in seeing it or borrowing ideas. I will be meeting with the Congressman's legislative aide for education in the next few weeks to discuss adult education & literacy needs--and also how the Maryland congressional delegation might play a role in the future to help increase the importance of this area of education( as well as its funding). Sonia Socha, Excutive Director The South Baltimore Learning Center contacted Representative John Sarbanes of Maryland’s 3rd District office staff to request a press conference to kick off Adult Education & Family Literacy Week. SBLC has developed on going working relationship with the congressman’s office over the past few years. I had also contacted the office about the congressman being a sponsor of the resolution prior to it being passed.

Remarkably, SBLC had the press conference confirmed only three days before it was scheduled for the morning of October 19 and much work had to take place quickly. However, it was well worth the it. We had two major Baltimore TV stations covering the story (and video to use afterwards), as well as pre and post releases & pictures that can be used in newsletters, websites and other appropriate places. The press conference program included Maryland’s new State Director of Adult Education (Patricia Tyler) and the Policy Analyst (Lynn Selmser) from the National AE State Directors organization. It also included amazing success stories given by 3 SBLC graduates, and the opportunity to feature our statewide professional adult education association (MAACCE) along with the work it has done to raise awareness and funding in Maryland.

The congressman was on site for about 90 minutes–and after the press conference he visited classes an spoke with learners and staff –he has done that once before about two years ago. During his speech at the press conference he not only pointed out the many benefits and great importance of adult education & family literacy for the country and Maryland (along with his support for the program), but he also cited SBLC as a national model program.

It was an exciting opportunity for SBLC to have Congressman Sarbanes sponsor the press conference and take the lead for Maryland as part of this first ever national awareness program: Adult Education & Family Literacy Week.

I am happy to share any pictures, videos, the press packet and the program with those interested in seeing it or borrowing ideas.

I will be meeting with the Congressman’s legislative aide for education in the next few weeks to discuss adult education & literacy needs–and also how the Maryland congressional delegation might play a role in the future to help increase the importance of this area of education( as well as its funding).

Sonia Socha, Excutive Director

]]> By: mltait http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/about_this_blog/comment-page-1/#comment-15 mltait Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:26:09 +0000 http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/?page_id=2#comment-15 Mine too, Barb! Mine too, Barb!

]]> By: Barb Van Horn http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/about_this_blog/comment-page-1/#comment-14 Barb Van Horn Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:01:37 +0000 http://blog.ncladvocacy.org/?page_id=2#comment-14 My House Representative voted YES for the resolution - a small victory for adult and family literacy recognition in PA... My House Representative voted YES for the resolution – a small victory for adult and family literacy recognition in PA…

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