The Literacy Mission

The mission of Secretary White's Literacy Office is to enable agencies in Illinois to offer services to help Illinois adults and their families who read at the lowest levels to increase their reading ability in English. According to the Illinois Adult Literacy Survey, about 4 million Illinois adults lack the basic reading, math, writing or language skills to function effectively at home, at work and in the community. Since 1986, when the Illinois State Library literacy program began, thousands of adults have improved their reading, writing and language skills through projects funded with literacy grant funds. Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White is committed to providing literacy program services that will enable Illinois citizens to fully participate in the family, work and community roles they enjoy. To this end, the Illinois State Library Literacy Office administers grant programs that provide basic literacy services to enhance reading, math, writing or language skills for targeted program participants. These direct-service grants are awarded through an annual competitive application process. Award notification is made when legislative and gubernatorial approval of the annual appropriation is completed. The appropriation is fully expended on adult literacy grant projects. The office also supports The Illinois Adult Learning Hotline, 1-800-321-9511, a statewide referral system which links prospective students or volunteers to local literacy and adult education programs.

The ADULT LITERACY GRANT PROGRAM encompasses the following areas:

· The Adult Volunteer Literacy Tutoring Project provides training for volunteers who tutor adults over the age of 16 in basic reading, math, writing or language skills. Participating educational agency partners may include libraries, volunteer tutoring organizations, community based organizations, community colleges, regional offices of education, schools (individual & public), pre-school programs, school districts, domestic violence shelters, and correctional facilities. In FY08, 83 programs served 22,150 adults with 8,501 volunteer tutors.

· The Family Literacy Project provides instructional services to parents and children to enhance their basic reading, math, writing or language skills together and separately. Participation by the whole family increases the benefits of the instruction. Projects must partner with an adult literacy provider agency, child-at-risk agency and a library. In FY08, 46 projects served 1,303 adults and 1,854 children.

· The Workplace Skills Enhancement Project provides on-site instructional services to the employees of Illinois businesses to enable the employees to increase their basic reading, math, writing or language skills, maintain their employment and increase their eligibility for promotion. Eligible employees read at or below the 9th grade level. Grantees must match the grant award and may also provide instructional services to prospective employees. The fiscal agent and submitting agency may be either the educational partner or the business partner. In FY08, 1,204 employees were assessed and/or received instruction through 32 grants awarded to businesses and educational providers.

The PENNY SEVERNS SUMMER FAMILY LITERACY GRANT PROGRAM provides instructional services that enhance the basic reading, math, writing or language skills of both parents and children during the summer, when many traditional educational programs close. Services include educational experiences that build on community resources for family learning. Individual grants are awarded to educational agencies such as libraries, community colleges, community based organizations, school districts and volunteer organizations. For the summer of 2008, 53 projects were funded and served 2,284 adults and 4,117 children.