 |
 |
 The Barbara Bush Texas Fund for Family Literacy was created in 1999 in response to the enormous success of A Celebration of Reading and the generous support of the many Texans who have helped promote literacy across the United States nation. Currently the Fund administers two all-Texas grant programs: The First Lady's Family Literacy Initiative for Texas, founded by former first lady Laura Bush when she was the first lady of Texas (and continues as Honorary Chair), and a separate discretionary grant program.
The First Lady’s Family Literacy Initiative for Texas, a program of The Barbara Bush Texas Fund for Family Literacy, announces its 2010 grant competition. Laura Bush, who founded this Initiative when she was first lady of Texas, continues to serve as Honorary Chair. The Texas Center for the Advancement of Literacy and Learning (TCALL) at Texas A&M University provides technical assistance to the family literacy programs funded each year. As of July 2009, the Initiative had awarded more than $6 million to some 150 programs across the state. This year will mark the 15th annual competition. The grants of up to $50,000 each are given to enable an established literacy program to build on existing service to a single generation, i.e., children or adults, and create a complete family literacy program. A complete family literacy program is defined as one that offers literacy (reading, writing, or oral language skill) instruction for both parents/caregivers and their young children, as well as regular Interactive Literacy Activities (ILA) or Parent and Child Together (PACT) activities. ILA or PACT activities engage parents and their children together in reading or pre-reading activities, while parents receive instruction, modeling and practice in effective methods for reading with their children. Many family literacy programs also offer parenting education, often in combination with home visits for further instruction and modeling of parenting practices and ILA or PACT activities in the home environment. Children in family literacy programs are typically infants through early elementary grades. The grant program also funds innovative projects within existing family literacy programs, as well as replication of successful family literacy programs with new populations or in new locations. A successful grant application includes clearly stated objectives, along with a solid assessment plan to measure progress toward those objectives. Collaborative partnerships with other community groups are strongly encouraged. Past grantees include community-based organizations, libraries, school districts, community colleges, universities, charter schools, pediatric medical clinics, prison programs, Head Start and Even Start programs, as well as other organizations. The deadline for submitting applications will be Friday, March 5, 2010. DOWNLOAD GRANT APPLICATION (Download Microsoft® Word Reader) The 2010 application deadline is Friday, March 5, 2010. If you have a problem downloading the file or for more information, please contact Emily Moore, at emoore@tamu.edu or phone 800-441-7323, Research Assistant at TCALL. ACCOMPLISHMENTS 1996-2009
- Over $3 million awarded to 129 family literacy programs in thirteen years. - Programs funded in 66 different cities across the state. - Thousands of families actively participated in these family literacy programs. - Families in these programs now read more often to their children and some who never read to their children are now doing so. Families report that they enjoyed the parent and child together time and the children seemed to crave the time spent with their parents reading books together. - Families in these programs are using the library for the first time or are using the library more often. - Parents in the programs are becoming more involved in day-to-day school activities of their children. - Adults in the programs are showing gains in their own reading abilities. Many of the adults have requested help in learning English and are improving these skills. Others are working to prepare for or have passed the GED and report finding better job prospects. - Program directors consistently report that adults who attend literacy classes regularly are learning and are extremely grateful for the opportunity to learn English. - Teachers have commented that children who have attended a family literacy program are better prepared for school. - Parents in the family literacy programs were committed to work hard for their children's future, thus gaining a sense of accomplishment and hope through their efforts. - Many parents go on to obtain more stable employment and further education, sometimes working in their children's schools as classroom assistants. - Families in the family literacy programs report that they are spending more time than before in reading activities - and that they and their children are enjoying it
For more information, please contact Pat Peebler, Grants Administrator, at ppeebler@mcnairgrp.com or visit http://www-tcall.tamu.edu.
|
