TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents with the State Department of Education in the amount of $120,750 to operate the Even Start Family Literacy Program; to execute a contract with the Long Beach Unified School District in the amount of $105,750 to provide family literacy services; and to execute any needed subsequent amendments. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network (Network) was a previous recipient of State Department of Education Even Start Grant funds that were utilized to operate a local family literacy program. The Even Start Program (Program) helps to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy by improving educational opportunities for low-income families by helping parents gain the skills needed to become full partners in the education of their young children. The Program integrates early childhood education, adult literacy and basic education and parenting education into a unified family literacy approach.
In Long Beach, the Network and the Long Beach Unified School District (District) have further enhanced program activities by linking the workforce development programs of the Career Transition Center into the mix of services for the participating adults.
Services are delivered at the Long Beach School for Adults, the Career Transition Center, and at various Head Start locations throughout the community. The Program also provides books for participating families to create at-home libraries to encourage ongoing reading.
The Network will contract with the District in the amount of $105,750 to deliver program services to approximately 100 low-income families, and to provide technical assistance and coaching to qualified Head Start entities interested in delivering Family Literacy Programs. The Network will use the remaining $15,000 for grant oversight and management activities.
This letter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on July 16, 2009 and by Budget and Perfor...
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