Literacy Providers Summit January 22, 2010

Presenter:

Kimberly Scott

Literacy Powerline

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Literacy Coalition of Oswego County2

Vision

100% Literacy through 100% Community Engagement

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The Workforce Investment Act defines literacy as "an individual's ability to read, write, speak in English, compute and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job, in the family of the individual and in society."

What is Literacy?

What is Community Literacy?4

•The community comes together around shared problem-solving and promotes the vision of 100% literacy through 100 % community engagement.

•Literacy is infused into all community initiatives.

Why a Literacy Coalition?5

The magnitude of our low literacy problem is daunting. Oswego County is estimated to have:

11,500 adults below basic literacy levels (National Center for Education statistics based on 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy research)

23,800 adults without a high school diploma (U. S. Census, 2000)

Why a Literacy Coalition?

Our problem continues to grow.High school graduation rates (2008-09 NYS Report

Cards) 72% Altmar-Parish-Williamstown 70% Central Square 66% Fulton 68% Hannibal 73% Mexico 79% Phoenix 73% Pulaski 69% Oswego City 85% Sandy Creek

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Why a Literacy Coalition?

We need to dig deeper into whether our children are ready for kindergarten.

Other communities find:% not ready for kindergarten

% below expectations on state exams % not graduating from high school

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Why a Literacy Coalition?8

Literacy and economic development go hand in hand.

Therefore, starting in early childhood and throughout the lifespan, the community and literacy programs must create a strong, literate foundation on which the education system can build.

Why a Literacy Coalition?9

Children are prepared for success in school.By increasing high school graduation rates,

each graduate will earn on average $267,000 more than a non-graduate over a lifespan.

By reducing the number of people receiving welfare support, there is a savings of $127,000 in the cost of a person’s welfare support over a lifespan.

Why a Literacy Coalition?

By increasing vocational information and skills training, more people will embark on a career ladder rather than get stuck in a dead end, low paying job.

By increasing literacy levels unnecessary, health care expenses that are attributable to low literacy will be reduced nationally by $73 billion annually.

By developing a culture of literacy, Oswego County will build high expectations, high quality programs and high quality results.

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What does a Coalition look like?11

What does a Literacy Coalition do?12

What does a Literacy Coalition do?13

Spread best practice throughout an integrated system of lifelong learning

Ensure accountability to achieve high instruction and program management

Engage the leadership of the community at its highest levels to build lasting solutions

Keep literacy visible as a top priority in the community

What does a Literacy Coalition do?14

With a county-wide literacy coalition and plan we have a much higher chance of success. We can ...

Increase resources for literacy and target investments for the greatest impact

Expand access to literacy services throughout the community

Provide coordination to assure the most efficient and effective services

NYS Literacy Coalitions

AlleganyClintonChemungCortlandErieFranklinHerkimerKings (Brooklyn)MadisonMonroeMontgomery

NiagaraOneidaOnondagaOntarioQueensSaratogaSenecaSullivanTompkinsWestchester

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What has been done?

Leadership Champion stepped up– Phil Church

Leadership Council began meeting

Workforce Action Team formed and initiative underway

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What has been done?

Workforce Initiative Action Team: Nancy Bellow - SUNY Oswego Phil Church - Oswego County Susan Coultrap-McQuin - SUNY Oswego Nick DellaPenna - Workforce Development Board Donna Donabella - Oswego County BOCES Beth Hilton – Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce Sabine Ingerson – ARISE Maggie Killoran, Cayuga Community College Paul Kurtzman – Oswego Industries Jane Murphy, Literacy Volunteers of Oswego County Christine Weaver – One-Stop Career Center

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What has been done?18

Workforce Initiative underway

Coalition (via Wes Hyde Foundation) received Snow Foundation grant to bridge low literacy learners to vocational training and workforce

Oswego County Opportunities received Job Applications Readiness Training grant

What has been done?19

Workforce Initiative underway

Unions and BOCES entered collaboration and linked apprenticeship program needs to training

Literacy Volunteers Oswego secured VISTA volunteers to work on NY Reads: NY Works campaign

What has been done?

Survey of literacy providers in Oswego County

Development of Literacy Landscape

Development of Literacy Provider Directory

Launch of Re$ourceLine as funding resource (today)

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Next Steps

Launch Re$ourceLine

Breakout Sessions – Action Steps

Gather edits/comments on Literacy Landscape and Directory

Next Workforce Action – Employer Summit – Feb. 25

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Literacy Coalition of Oswego County22

Vision

100% Literacy through 100% Community Engagement

ANY THOUGHTS OR QUESTIONS?

CONTACT JANE MURPHY342-8839

LVOSWEGO@VERIZON.NET

The Conversation Continues…

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