Friday, 3 of September of 2010

Category » Advocacy Workshops


NCL Dollar General Advocacy Symposium Update

By Marsha Tait

In June, NCL was pleased to award three advocacy “mini-grants” to attendees at the NCL/Dollar General Advocacy Symposium that took place in Columbus, Ohio, April 21.

Awardees were: The Ohio Literacy Network, for their Collaborative Advocacy Project Proposal; the Ohio Association for Adult and Continuing Education for their Statewide Advocacy Symposium for Adult Basic and Literacy Education proposal; and Parma Adult Education Services for their Coalition for Advocacy for the Life‐long Learner (C.A.L.L.) proposal.  All three…

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North Carolina Gears Up for Adult Literacy Advocacy Campaigns

After the North Carolina Grassroots Advocacy Symposium held in fall 2009, advocates find strategic and innovative ways to move adult literacy advocacy initiatives forward.

Earlier this year, two organizations from North Carolina were awarded $5,000.00 Advocacy Grants from the National Coalition for Literacy: Reading Connections and Wake Technical Community College. The purpose of the grants is to support initiatives designed to build the capacity for adult literacy advocacy in the field and increase the impact of the Dollar General Presentation Series. To be eligible for an Advocacy…

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Grassroots Advocacy Symposium Held in Ohio

NCL held its second public policy advocacy symposium this month in Dublin, OH in connection with the state-wide Partnerships in Transition conference. The symposium was planned by NCL in collaboration with the Ohio Association for Adult and Continuing Education, the Ohio Literacy Network and the ABLE Resource Center Network. Speakers included Jackson Routh from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, Dr. Peter Waite, president of NCL, Aketa Marie Simmons, Press Secretary and Education Staff for Congresswoman Fudge, Ed Roberts, Congressional Aide to Senator Brown, representatives of local partnerships and collaborations in OH, and adult student Dawana Martin.

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Tweet Up and Blogging from the 2010 COABE/ProLiteracy Conference

Did you go to Conference? Share what you learned on public policy and advocacy so other adult literacy advocates can benefit from your ideas. Advocacy is a team effort! Tell your colleagues who stayed home to bookmark this space and watch for updates.

If you did not go to Conference, this Blog offers a way you can benefit from the conference afterwards. Session handouts you can download are now available! Just click on the title of the session that interests you and you will find the handouts linked there. Share your comments/questions for any of the…

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Federal Legislative Update

Popularly known as the “Policy Panel” that has drawn over 400 participants each conference, this preconference provides you an exclusive opportunity to interact with panelists for an in-depth look at the federal legislative issues. National adult education leaders will update you on federal legislative developments in adult education and related areas. Then join roundtable discussions led by panelists, examine how policy affects practice, and target policy change in areas that concern you most. Create a plan; bring it home.

Monday, March 15, 8:30 – 11:30 am

Boulevard C

Panelists:

  • Jeff Carter, Policy and Government Affairs Director, ProLiteracy
  • Art Ellison,

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Pathways and Advocacy: Building the Grassroots Base

The session features practical, hands-on strategies for planning and implementing a successful grassroots advocacy program. Participants will discuss strategies and tactics and create action plans that integrate advocacy with community and business partnerships. Built on the successes from the National Coalition for Literacy grassroots advocacy symposia, with generous support from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, you will hear from local and state level advocates on how they have implemented successful advocacy campaigns.

Monday, March 15, 12:30 – 3:30 pm

Boulevard C

Panelists:

  • Brenda Brown, Vice President, Adult Education, Middle Georgia Technical College
  • Dorothy Ferguson, Coordinator, Adult Education, Middle Georgia

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Public Policy Debate

For the first time ever, a panel of experts at conference will explore different perspectives on hot policy issues that affect adult education[i] in the U.S. today. COABE and ProLiteracy Members not attending conference can also participate in the debates live via Webinar.

Topic 1: Investing in the Lowest Level Learners

Video Archive of Debates, Topic 1

The first topic explores whether and to what extent federal and state monies should be invested in the lowest level of learner in an economic and political climate that is focused almost entirely on jobs creation economic stimulus.  

Topic 2: Adult Education: Situated in

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Implementing the Vision: Initiatives and Resources to Foster Integration Through the Naturalization Process

This workshop will highlight the demographic trends and policy developments leading U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to encourage civic participation by providing tools and resources for immigrants and communities that serve them to facilitate the naturalization process and celebrate citizenship.

Wednesday, March 17, 2:45 – 3:35 pm

Northwest Seven (Lower Level)

Presenter:

Rachael Shaw, Management and Program Analyst, Office of Citizenship, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Handouts:

Please share your comments on this session or this topic in the Comment Box below; click…

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Lakeside Chat With Cheryl Keenan, Part I and Part II

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn what is new at the US Dept. of Education’s Office of Adult and Vocational Education. Ms. Keenan will share information and news about OVAE’s initiatives and will answer your questions in this highly interactive double session.
 

 Part I: Wednesday, March 17, 1:30 – 2:30 pm

Part II: Wednesday, March 17, 2:45 –3:45 pm

Location for Part I and Part II: Blackstone Hotel, Crystal Ballroom (4th Floor)

Presenter:

Cheryl Keenan, Director of Adult Education and Literacy, Office of Vocational and Adult Education

Please share your comments on this session or this topic in the…

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The Next Dimension * Career Pathways

Adult education has many dimensions—literacy, ESOL, GED, high school, family literacy, etc. Due to the severe economic situation, adult educators are being asked to add a complex additional dimension to our work—career pathways. What are the subsequent national, state, and local implications for policy, practice, and professional development?

Thursday, March 18, 8:00 – 9:00 am

Blackstone Hotel, Crystal Ballroom (4th Floor)

 Presenter:

Lennox McLendon, Executive Director, National Adult Education Professional Development Consortium (NAEPDC)

Please share your comments on this session or this topic in the Comment Box below; click Comment to submit.

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Strategic Partnering in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Context

During challenging economic times, it is increasingly important to leverage resources, foster collaboration, and develop partnerships at both the state and local levels. Participants in this session will discuss how systems and organizations can work together in order to access American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.

Thursday, March 18, 10:30 – 11:30 am

Blackstone Hotel, Inspiration Studio (5th Floor)

Presenter:

Jeffrey A. Fantine, State Director of Adult Education, Maine Department of Education

Handouts:

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Key Elements of Effective Advocacy

Learn key elements of effective advocacy at the state and federal levels: what you can do as an advocate, and strategies that lead to increased funding—including how to cultivate champions for adult education and literacy. Create a local advocacy plan; leave with resources and ideas that you can use tomorrow.

Thursday, March 18, 9:15 – 10:15 am

Northwest Four (Lower Level)

Presenters:
  • Jackie Taylor, NCL Public Policy Committee Co-Chair; Advocacy Co-Chair, Tennessee Association of Adult and Community Education (TAACE)
  • Marsha L. Tait, NCL Public Policy Committee Co-Chair           

Handouts:

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WIA Update

Following her keynote address, Brenda Dann-Messier (Assistant Secretary of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education) and Cheryl Keenan (Director of Adult Education and Literacy, Office of Vocational and Adult Education) will update conference attendees about reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act. The session will be moderated by David C. Harvey, President and CEO of ProLiteracy. Do not miss this chance to learn what is happening with the federal legislation that authorizes adult basic education in the US.
 

 

Thursday, March 18, 1:45 –2:45 pm

Continental Ballroom B (Lobby Level)

Presenters:

  • Brenda Dann-Messier, Assistant Secretary, Office of

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Shifting Gears: Shifting State Adult Education Policies to Support Postsecondary Success

In this session, you will learn about Shifting Gears a multi-state, state policy initiative geared toward increasing the number of low-skilled adults achieving postsecondary credentials. We will also explore the barriers and opportunities in your state to the development of career pathways to college and career success for low-working adults.

Thursday, March 18, 3:00 – 4:00 pm

Boulevard A (2nd Floor)

Presenters:

  • Amy Ellen Duke-Benfield, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP
  • Jennifer K. Foster, Senior Director for Adult Education and Family Literacy/State Director for GED Testing, Illinois Community College Board

Handouts:

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National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy

The National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy lays out a vision and seven goals to create a health literate society. This workshop will discuss the development of the goals and strategies, the potential impact of the plan on policy, and its use in everyday practice.

Thursday, March 18, 4:15 – 5:15 pm

Boulevard B (2nd Floor)

Presenter:

Gary Podschun, Manager, Community Outreach and Cultural Competence Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations, American Dental Association (ADA)

Handouts:

Please share your comments on this session or this topic in the Comment Box below; click Comment…

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Stabilizing and Strengthening the Adult Education Workforce

Professional quality—including both teacher quality and the working conditions professionals need—is critical for advancing the adult education and literacy system. Learn how panelists advance this cause in their programs and states, and through federal legislation. See how you can stabilize and strengthen the adult education workforce in your area.

Friday, March 19, 8:30 – 9:30 am

Continental Ballroom B (Lobby Level)

Panelists:

  • Jackie Taylor, NCL Public Policy Committee Co-Chair
  • Mary Ann Corley, Principal Research Analyst, American Institutes for Research
  • Richard Tariff, Director of Adult Services, EASTCONN
  • Andy Nash, World Education; MA Coalition for Adult Education (MCAE) Working Conditions Committee

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Critical Keys for Successful Health Literacy Partnerships

Literacy is a strong predictor of health status, more than age, income, race, ethnicity, unemployment status, or educational level. Half of U.S. adults have difficulty understanding health documents. This presentation focuses on 1) strategies for creating partnerships between literacy and health professionals, and 2) increasing communication between patients and providers.

Friday, March 19, 8:30 – 9:30 am
Northwest Two (Lower Level)

Presenters:

  • Carol Gabler, Consultant, Health Literacy Advancement, LLC
  • Sue McIntyre, Consultant, Health Literacy Advancement, LLC

Handouts (added as available):

Please share your comments on…

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NCL Dollar General Advocacy Symposium in NC

Hello fellow adult education advocates!

Jackie Taylor and I (Marsha Tait) are in NC this week faciliating an advocacy symposium in partnership with the North Carolina Basic Skills Program and Community College System and the North Carolina Literacy Association (presented with generous support from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation).  We are very excited to have 90 potential new advocates signed up for our two day session — and great participation from Randi Whitfield (VP of Academic and Student Services, Basic Skills Dept. NC Community College System) and her colleagues.  Guest speakers include Jackson Routh from DG, Dr. Peter Waite, NCL…

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