School District 71 Comox Valley District Literacy Plan September

 School District 71 Comox Valley District Literacy Plan September 2014-­ June 2015 Submitted by: Danielle Hoogland, Comox Valley Literacy Outreach Coordinator Esther Shatz, School District 71, Director of Student Services Background: September 2014 to July 2015 is the seventh year of coordination and implementation of the Comox Valley Community Literacy Plan (revised May 2014). Task Group: Implementation of the Community Literacy Plan is guided by the Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association (CVLLA) which includes representation from School District 71, North Island College, Wachiay Friendship Centre, Creative Employment Access Society, Vancouver Island Regional Library, CV Social Planning Society, LUSH Valley Food Action Society, and literacy resource professionals. (see Appendix 1: 2014-­‐2015 CVLLA Board of Directors). The Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association Board of Directors meets monthly. Danielle Hoogland is the Comox Valley Literacy Outreach Coordinator (LOC). The Family Literacy Outreach Advisory Committee (FLOAC) also met monthly until March 2015 (see Appendix 2: FLOAC members 2014-­‐2015). FLOAC’s work has now been absorbed by the newly established Comox Valley Early Years Collaborative. Lynn Joseph, the former Family Literacy Outreach Coordinator, is now the Success by Six, Children’s First and Aboriginal Engagement Coordinator. Danielle Hoogland, LOC, now manages the Family Literacy Outreach projects and is a member of the Comox Valley Early Years Leadership Table (CVEYLT). Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 1 Community Context: Education and literacy: On Dec. 4th, 2014, the BC government rescinded its policy providing Adult Basic Education tuition-­‐free to all post-­‐secondary students. This requires that North Island College charge tuition to adult upgrading students for the first time in eight years ($106.66/course or credit depending on the course). ABE, English as a Second Language and Access for Students with Disabilities (AED courses) services remain unchanged. Financial assistance is available through the Adult Upgrading Grant for those students who can demonstrate financial need. This change in policy impacts students considering upgrading. The concern is that tuition will be a barrier to marginalized students despite the opportunity to receive funding. The BC government also required that School District #71 cut $2,163,624 in their 2014/2015 budget. Declining enrolment (a decrease of 227 students in 2013/2014 and a projected decrease of 55 students for 2015/2016) offsets some of the cuts however many School District expenses remain regardless of the number of students (maintenance of buildings, supervision, administration, and staff contingencies such as benefits). The Board of Education passed a budget that cut funding to the following departments: Maintenance, IT, Business Administration, Student Services and Curriculum Support. Successive annual budget cuts directly impact student learning and support as schools do not have the capacity to meet the diverse needs of their students. Currently, there are 977 designated students who require additional supports. Despite reduced capacity, School District #71 continues to offer innovative programming (e.g. Destination Imagination, ENTER, Montessori), and continues to have a high graduation rate of 95% (of those graduates eligible to graduate). The 6-­‐year completion is rate 71.7%. Reduced capacity within our formal education system increases the demand of the non-­‐formal community-­‐based system to address the gaps in literacy service and resources. This year, due to growing demand, CVLLA and the Adult Learning Centre offered more literacy programming and resources to more adults and families. The Adult Learning Centre absorbed 45 ESL learners into their one-­‐to-­‐one tutoring program and supported 72 learners in various ESL groups. They supported 21 literacy learners (one-­‐to-­‐one tutoring) and 73 computer learners (through classes and one-­‐to-­‐one tutoring). CVLLA supported 42 families through their Family Literacy Outreach Program. CVLLA also worked more closely with school communities to distribute books and resources to families (e.g. 1000x5, Summer Reading Launches, School Libraries, etc.). Both the formal and non-­‐formal learning systems operate as best they can despite declining funding and capacity. Workloads have increased, resources are depleted, and both systems are constantly seeking funding to support their work. Fortunately, North Island College, School District #71, CVLLA, the Adult Learning Centre, and other learning organizations communicate and share our realities (organizational and collective) and collaborate and partner in order to meet the diverse educational and learning needs of our community at large. We continue to Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 2 work from the belief that “every Comox Valley citizen can access literacy and learning programs and supports to increase their literacy and essential skills” (Community Literacy Plan 2014). Employment and the Labour Market1: The current unemployment rate for Vancouver Island is 7.3%. Youth unemployment is generally double the unemployment rate. However, based on anecdotal information from employers, there are many job positions that remain unfilled (particularly labourers, carpenters, dishwashers, cooks, security guards, and roofers). Many employers maintain that they cannot find suitable employees to fill vacancies. Bladerunners, a youth employment program, is struggling to find participants despite high unemployment and the Work BC Office is not experiencing the volume of displaced oil and gas workers that was experienced in the early spring 2015. The Nyrstar (Myra Falls) mine in Campbell River has ceased operations, but this doesn't seem to have impacted the Comox Valley. The hospital project is going full speed ahead however they too are struggling to find enough labourers, carpenters, and concrete finishers for their current phase of construction. Funding for programming seems to be drying up all around: Job Options has ended in the Comox Valley; the Opportunities Fund for people with disabilities has paused; and both the Canada Job Grant and Get Youth Working have allocated all their funding for 2015. The Canada Job Grant will renew its funding in 2016 but the Get Youth Working funding is unknown. Typically, people on income assistance are not allowed to go to school and stay on assistance. Starting in September 2015, single parents on income assistance are eligible for up to 1 year of funded training (tuition maximum $7500) while they stay on assistance. The catch is that it must be on a list of 60 occupations -­‐ only 24 of which has training that can be completed within a year. Community development and literacy collaboration: Multiple new collaborations have occurred to support literacy development in our community. Former partnerships have also been sustained this past year (see 2013/2014 report). Selected 2014/2015 Examples: •
Drop In and Connect: The Drop In and Connect program aimed to connect community resource people with young people who frequent the Courtenay library. The program was created based on the observation and discussion that youth were hanging out in and outside the library. Homeless and youth outreach workers were consulted and together we created a 6-­‐week, 1-­‐1.5 hours/week, drop in program with food. Program partners included: Wachiay Friendship Centre Homeless Outreach Coordinator, John Howard Youth Outreach Coordinator, Courtenay library, Creative Employment Access 1
Betty Yee, an employee of Creative Employment Access Society, resourced and wrote much of this section. Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 3 Society, CVLLA and AIDS Vancouver Island. See Appendix 3 for further details. (Funding from CVLLA Raise-­‐a-­‐Reader). •
Aboriginal FLO Step In – Step Out Program: The Aboriginal FLO Program is a partnership among CVLLA, Upper Island Women of Native Ancestry Early Years Program, and School District #71 (Courtenay Elementary). The Aboriginal EY Program is an established weekly program for Aboriginal families. The FLO program enhanced the Aboriginal EY Program on Mondays for 6 weeks and provided food (lunch), adult learning time, and childcare. (Funding from CVLLA Raise-­‐a-­‐Reader). •
Books for Babies: In partnership with the Perinatal Committee, VIRL, Public Health nurses, and St. Joseph Hospital Maternity ward, Success by Six, and the Early Years Centre (valleychild.ca), CVLLA purchased 500 books to distribute to every newborn along with a bookmark that highlighted our Early Years resource site: valleychild.ca. Books for Babies will continue in 2015/2016. (Funding from Success by Six and CVLLA Raise-­‐a-­‐Reader). •
Summer Reading Launches: Given the bumpy start to the school year in 2014 (due to the teachers’ job action), it took many teachers until the New Year to counter the impacts of “summer slide” (the loss of literacy skills over the summer due to lack of practice). The Learning Resource Teacher at Courtenay Elementary intended to proactively address summer slide this year and organized a Summer Reading Launch to raise awareness of the importance of reading over the summer and to get as many books as possible into the home and hands of elementary school children. CVLLA, VIRL Courtenay library and the Adult Learning Centre all supported the Summer Reading Launch in different ways: CVLLA provided new books, the Courtenay librarian promoted Summer Reading Club and signed up new library users, and the Adult Learning Centre promoted adult reading resources. A second Summer Reading Launch was organized at Ecole Puntledge Park School. See CVLLA Book Distribution report in Appendix 4 for further details. (Funding from CVLLA Raise-­‐a-­‐Reader). Goals and Actions of 2014/2015: CVLLA’s four broad goals are outlined in the Community Literacy Plan 2014. Each of the goals and actions are described below. Goal 1: Build on the existing capacity for ongoing coordination and collaboration in community literacy development CVLLA continues to advocate and promote community-­‐based literacy through campaigns such as Raise-­‐a-­‐Reader, events such as Family Literacy Week and through presentations. Once again, Danielle addressed the BC Government’s Select Standing Committee on Finance that the Ministry of Education support community-­‐based literacy. Fortunately, Decoda Literacy Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 4 Solutions did receive the $2 million required to sustain literacy coordination across the province. Raise-­‐a-­‐Reader (RAR) was also a success this year. The RAR Committee raised $21717.63 which was again matched in part by the Ministry of Education for a total of $38689.90. Further funding support was through the Comox Valley Community Foundation, the School District Early Years Committee, and Success by Six funding. CVLLA did apply for a Gaming Grant but was rejected. CVLLA will re-­‐apply in 2015. Raise-­‐a-­‐Reader supporters Goal 2: Strengthen and support family literacy network, coordination, and collaboration to enhance family literacy programs and activities2 The Family Literacy Outreach Advisory Committee (FLOAC) continued to raise awareness of family literacy and was instrumental in supporting the expansion of Family Literacy Outreach (FLO) programs. FLOAC met monthly until March 2015 at which point the Committee chose to integrate into the newly established Comox Valley Early Years Collaborative. (See Appendix 5 for diagram of Early Years organizational structure). Lynn Joseph, the Family Literacy Outreach 2
It is a priority to support children and youth in developing their literacy skills. This requires that we also support families including parents and guardians. This follows the belief that a parent is a child’s first and most important teacher. Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 5 Coordinator, has now become the Success by Six and Aboriginal Engagement Coordinator. In this new role, Lynn continues to advocate and support family literacy outreach. The following two programs are coordinated and managed by CVLLA in collaboration with program partners. 1. Family Literacy Outreach Program: Five 6-­‐week sessions ran in the fall, winter, and spring at Glacier View Learning Centre (18 weeks – Waiting for the Bus program), Queneesh (6 weeks), and Courtenay Elementary (6 weeks – Aboriginal Step In Step Out program). Total enrolment for all sessions is 42 adults and 39 children. For more details see Appendix 6. 2. ESL Outdoor Program for Immigrant Families (summer 2014): Participation for this program was extremely low in 2014. We have ceased support for this program and have chosen to invest our resources in other summer programs (Hop with Me, Rec and Read, etc.). In addition, FLOAC/CVLLA continues to support the following family literacy programs: 1. Mother Goose and More: Three week sessions ran in the fall, winter, and spring. The fall session had the most success with 7-­‐9 families (11 children) attending regularly. The winter and spring sessions had an average of 5 families (8 children). (Funded by Success by Six and CVLLA Raise-­‐a-­‐Reader). 2. 1000x5 Project: The 1000x5 Project aims to ensure every child in the Comox Valley has at least 1,000 books read to them from birth until they are five years old, and entering kindergarten. It’s based on the ideal of reading to young children daily, with the figure rounded down to account for the realities of family life. The Comox Valley Rotary Literacy Roundtable initiated the project in the Fall of 2013, and commenced book collection and distribution in the Spring of 2014. The collection, sorting and distribution centre is at Courtenay Elementary School. A 1000x5 coordinator was hired in February 2014 and works 6-­‐8 hours a week coordinating the initiative. Five to eight volunteers meet each Wednesday to clean, sort and bag the books. This year, approximately 100 families received books monthly. (Funded by Success by Six, Comox Valley Community Foundation and SD71 Early Years Committee). 3. Little Learners: The objective of the Little Learners Literacy Program is to initiate a foundation for life-­‐long learning by creating opportunities for families to explore the library and to learn about the development of literacy skills in the early years. The target population is families enrolled in the Healthy Families Program who do not access the library on a regular basis, have limited resources available to purchase good quality children’s books and a willingness to participate in play-­‐based interactive activities contributing to early learning. The strengths of the program include: parents and Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 6 children love the new, age-­‐appropriate books they take home to develop their own personal libraries; the literacy consultant has created a versatile power-­‐point presentation that can be adapted to families with children in different age groups; the librarians participate using puppets and other fun resources that are available to check out from the library; the School District very generously contributes supplies and resources to enhance the quality of materials available for take home after parents discover how to creatively engage with their preschool age child; and families love the many songs, story times and play-­‐based activities. Challenges of the program include: trying to schedule the facility at a time that will accommodate the nap schedules of infants and toddlers; and restrictions for which day of week to offer a session due to limited flexibility in the literacy consultant’s availability. (Funded by Success by Six and Public Health Agency of Canada). a. Little Learners for Infants & Toddlers: Two 4-­‐week sessions ran this year with a total of 24 families registered but with 16 families participating. b. Little Learners for Preschool Children: This 4-­‐week program was offered in the late spring with a total of 15 families registered but with 12 families attending. This program is an excellent example of community and SD71 working together to support school readiness and parental involvement in the learning process. Family Literacy Week is a week-­‐long celebration of literacy and learning within our community. It involves multiple learning organizations, literacy practitioners, performers, families and children. Phil Umpherville was the lead performer as a Cree Elder and storyteller. Stella Swanson, age 9, performed with her sister and mother. In Courtenay, Sherry Elwood and Allan Douglas (SD No.71) were the celebrity readers. Esther Shatz and Paul Berry (SD No. 71) read in Comox and David Meyert (Principal) in Cumberland. 483 book bags were distributed throughout the community and attendance was phenomenal. Door counts at each respective library was: Courtenay 602, Comox 86 and Cumberland 90. Stella Swanson performing on Family Literacy Day 2015 at the Courtenay library Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 7 This year we bridged Family Literacy Week to Family Day with an Unplug Campaign and Challenge. Families were encouraged to unplug, engage in an activity and take a picture of themselves for submission into our contest. There were 15 excellent submissions and the winner won a camera. Unplug posters were also distributed in the community to encourage families to “unplug” and play, read, listen, talk, and sing. Danielle also promoted the Unplug Challenge on “All Points West” (CBC). Dance!
Unplug campaign 2015 Family Literacy Week book distribution FLOAC/CVLLA has also supported multiple projects and events within the community by resourcing them with books. Attention was on reaching hard-­‐to-­‐reach families in neigbourhoods recognized as having high vulnerability according to the Comox Valley’s Early Development Index. Overall, 3556 books (including FLW) were distributed to organizations and families through multiple events. For more information on book distribution, see Appendix 4. Goal 3 and 4: Increase literacy and essential skills opportunities for hard-­‐to-­‐reach populations. Strengthen and support Comox Valley Essential Skills Partnership (CVESP) outreach, programs and resources Hard-­‐to-­‐reach populations are targeted through Family Literacy Outreach programs and book distributions. Drop In and Connect also worked to connect disengaged youth to community resources (employment resources, literacy resources, mental/health resources, and housing). Connecting with disengaged youth continues to be both an opportunity and a challenge. Increasingly, CVLLA is working to support teachers and frontline workers who know the youth. Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 8 For example, CVLLA facilitated a “field trip” for the Glacier View Connections Program (youth age 11-­‐16) to the Job Shop and the library. The premise of working with hard-­‐to-­‐reach in-­‐school youth is to connect them to community resources prior to their leaving the system. Initiating that first contact with the Job Shop or NIC, for example, may encourage them use those services when they need them as adults. Job Shop career counsellors facilitated employment readiness and essential skills sessions with parents registered in our FLO Programs. Many of the learners who participated in employment readiness/essential skills became clients of the Job Shop. Some learners also became employed! The CVES Partnership has not convened since February 2013. Rather, we have focused our resources on supporting youth programs (through the Frontline Workers network), creating youth libraries (Glacier View and Cumberland), and providing outreach to schools (Nala’atsi). Selected Indications of success 2014/2015: Community-­‐based literacy efforts are increasingly acknowledged, recognized, and supported by the community at large. Raise-­‐a-­‐Reader is an example of garnering support from both organizations and local businesses. Last year, the District Literacy Plan described how Comox Valley organizations came together to examine how to increase our collective impact on our collective issues. The Social Planning Society has taken a lead and works to bring organizations and individuals together to tackle some of our more pressing concerns (homelessness and housing, health, early childhood development, education and literacy). Municipal leaders have engaged in these conversations and are taking steps, albeit small ones, toward concrete solutions. Another exciting success is the momentum that we have generated over the past 7 years. Our relationships are strong and therefore it is easier to respond to community needs. The Drop In and Connect program at the Courtenay library is an excellent example of recognizing need, recognizing where people are, and working together to support a disadvantaged population. CVLLA is increasingly a hub through which organizations connect and work together. The FLO program is also increasing in demand. Program partners recognize the importance of investing in parents as a direct investment in their children. The School District has been extremely supportive of the program and recognize the program as an opportunity to connect with families before they enter the school system. There is an opportunity for FLO programs to expand into other neighbourhoods. The shifts within the Early Years community is indicative of the mobilization and integration of our organizational and collective resources to create a collaborative system to respond to identified needs and challenges. The creation of a Provincial Office of the Early Years led by a provincial Superintendent of the Early Years is encouragement that the government recognizes Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 9 how critically important the early years are for healthy child development. Family literacy has a very important role to execute within the Early Years systems and our involvement at the local leadership level demonstrates that the Early Years community assures our “place at the table”. The dissolution of the FLOAC table and its absorption into the Early Years Collaborative is also an example of how healthy systems have the space and strength to include multiple and diverse voices and address different issues without diluting the importance of the issues or the voices. Ongoing Challenges: Unfortunately our challenges have remained the same over the past few years. • Lack of sustained funding for the coordination and implementation of the Community Literacy Plan (CLP) • Increased funding restraints on the School District and North Island College • Lack of capacity to implement the CLP (greater material and human resources are needed) • Reaching hard-­‐to-­‐reach families and individuals continues to be both a challenge and an opportunity • Screen time is competing with time spent reading, writing and being outdorrs. There is a need for increased education and awareness about screen time and child development. • Engagement of all levels of government (municipal, provincial, and federal) Goals and Actions for 2014/2015: The CLP goals of strengthening and supporting FLOAC and CVESP need to be revisited to reflect changes in how we are working with our community partners to increase supports to families and youth. The CLP will be reviewed in the fall of 2015. The Early Years community is currently creating their Strategic Plan (June 2015). Literacy, particularly early literacy and family literacy, will be reflected in the plan. There continues to be opportunity for FLO programs to expand into new neighbourhoods. CVLLA will continue to work closely with the Early Years community to identify needs and collaboratively respond to those needs. Vancouver Island Regional Library is also renewing their Strategic Plan (June 2015). During their consultation with community members, community-­‐based literacy programs, outreach and supports were identified as an opportunity for VIRL to become more engaged with. CVLLA will continue to work closely with the Comox Valley libraries to organize and host events, programs, and activities. Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 10 The relationship between the community and the School District continues to grow. Supporting families and youth in transition through school-­‐community programs, events, and initiatives will be an area of focus in 2015/2016. Book distribution and the encouragement of reading also continues to be an area of need and focus. Increasing the number of areas where adults, youth and children can access books (community and school libraries) is an area of focus for CVLLA. Linked to book distribution is the need to continue to raise awareness about the importance of reading. The Summer Reading Launches were excellent examples of teachers, parents, librarians, and literacy practitioners coming together to raise awareness and get books into the hands and homes of children. This will likely be an area of focus in 2015/2016. We will continue to measure how many books are distributed within our community. To respond to the constant challenge of funding, the Raise-­‐a-­‐Reader Committee (Black Press, Success by Six, the Adult Learning Centre, and CVLLA) intends to organize more RAR fundraising events throughout the year. In September 2015, there will be three fundraising events: a dinner at the Prime Chophouse where some of the meal revenue will go toward RAR, the RAR campaign itself, and the Literacy is Life Trivia Night. We also hope to organize an authors evening (Oysters, Authors and Ale) and other fundraising events. CVLLA will also apply to Gaming this year. The Adult Learning Centre has applied for government funding for essential skills training (Valley Essential Skills Training). We look forward to the opportunities ahead in 2015/2016! Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 11 Appendix 1: Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association Board of Directors 2014-­2015 Tony Bellavia Bruce Brautigan Colleen Nelson Jill Beech Anita Wotschel Esther Shatz Bunny Shannon Martin Petter President and NIC Dean – Developmental and Access Vice-­‐President and Creative Employment Access Society Secretary-­‐Treasurer and VIRL – Customer Services Librarian II, Comox Branch Wachiay Friendship Centre Literacy Resource Professional -­‐ member of Comox Valley Rotary Literacy Roundtable SD71 – Director of Student Services LUSH Valley and Social Planning Society Former VP Education NIC Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 12 Appendix 2: Family Literacy Outreach Advisory Committee Members to March 2015 (members are now part of the Collaborative) Lynn Joseph Martin Petter Colleen Nelson Nancy Duncan Esther Shatz Anita Wotschel Allan Douglas Jenny Nihoff Danielle Hoogland Jane Hughes Elizabeth Shannon Carlene Steeves Colleen Friendship Sue Warren Michelle Carty Terry Louden Deborah vanderLinde Dana Starritt Tasha Page Leigh Campbell Jolene Parsons Michelle Guthrie Family Literacy Outreach Coordinator President and former VP Education NIC VIRL – Library Manager, Courtenay VIRL – Comox Branch SD71 – Director Student Services CVLLA and Comox Valley Rotary Literacy Roundtable SD71 Island Health Literacy Outreach Coordinator CV Family Services – Healthy Families Program LUSH Valley, Social Planning SD71 StrongStart facilitator SD71 StrongStart facilitator Pacific Care Pacific Care Aboriginal Head Start 1000x5 coordinator Black Creek Community Association Immigrant Settlement Society Young Parent Program CVCDA Early Years Centre/CDA Total: 22
Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 13 Appendix 3: Drop In and Connect Program Report Tuesdays from 1-­‐2pm, April 21, 2015 to May 26, 2015 Submitted by Danielle Hoogland The Drop In and Connect program aimed to connect community resource people with young people who frequent the library. The following are the outcomes of the program. Program Strengths: • Connections were made and some youth/adults followed-­‐up with the relevant agency • Community Resource people connected is meaningful ways! We had a chance to learn about each other’s services, to discuss how to better support youth, discuss current youth realities or trends, and we got to know one another better • For example, CVLLA was able to support AVI AIDS outreach with books (16 new young adult books) • Commitment of the community outreach resource people to attend each week! Program Challenges: • Many folks were hesitant to enter the multipurpose room – another threshold to cross? • Timing: Jenne from JHS suggested mornings would be better because young people would be motivated by food. In the afternoon, many folks have visited St. Georges lunch program and are less motivated by free food and coffee • Weather: Each week, other than the first, was beautiful. Fewer people were in the library. • Although a café style was attempted, there was still formality in the set up. Some may have been intimidated to enter and sit with others. However, some really enjoyed it! • Increased marketing (word-­‐of-­‐mouth) would increase the number of attendees. Marketing was limited to posters and sandwich boards within and outside the library. Further outreach to St. Georges and elsewhere would increase traffic. Date Community Resource People reached Notes People April 21, 15 Jenne (JHS) 4 youth One youth is looking for work – Louis (Wachiay) 1 elder (Judy Hagan) completed Bladerunners program Colleen (VIRL) 1 Swiss sociologist Danielle (CVLLA) 9 adults April 28, 15 Betty (CEAS) 5 adults One adult – income tax Colleen (VIRL) One adult – resume help (Betty) Danielle (CVLLA) May 4, 15 Betty (CEAS) 5 adults One adult – connected with Betty re: Danielle (CVLLA) employment Jenne (JHS) Two elders One repeat adult looking – has connected with Triple P and Wachiay May 12, 15 Jenne (JHS) 5 adults 2 Wachiay elders Louis (Wachiay) 1 homeless Colleen (VIRL) 2 adults Danielle (CVLLA) Betty (Job Shop) th
May 19 , 15 Jenne (JHS) 1 youth 1 youth looking for work and looking for Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 14 May 26, 15 Louis (Wachiay) Colleen (VIRL) Danielle (CVLLA) Betty (Job Shop) Lisa (AVI) Louis (Wachiay) Colleen (VIRL) Danielle (CVLLA) 7 adults 5 adults connections! 1 adult looking for housing and work (Louis) 1 adult connected with Betty re: work 5 came for coffee and conversation! 1connected with Lisa (AVI) 1 adult connected with Louis (health, homelessness) 1 adult keen to further her education and get a job cooking. She is currently on disability but is registered for food safe. Is aware of the ALC for further support and of VIPRS Next Steps: • Youth outreach providers are keen to create a youth outreach at the Linc in September. (Similar to the Delaware project in CR). CVLLA will continue to be part of these discussions and to support action on the ground. • Colleen N. continues to sit on AHERO and the Homelessness Coalition • Danielle is also connected with the Social Planning Society • Thank you to all the community resource people who gave their time to connect! Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 15 Appendix 4: CVLLA Book Distribution 2014/2015 Distribution Activity AHERO Homeless Fair (Oct. 16, 2014) Public office distribution (Nov 2014) Health Unit's Family Room (Nov 2014) Christmas book distribution Christmas youth book distribution March book distribution Glacier View Learning Centre Library Books for Babies (October, February, May, June) AVI AIDS Books for Treats (Oct. 31, 2014) Family Literacy Week Recipient #books distributed Homeless 100 (45 books to adults, 55 books to children) 10 each for 2 MCFD offices, Alano 70 Club, Emergency room St Joe's, Health Unit waiting room, K'omoks Band Health Unit and Wachiay Fr. Centre. Families attending Public Health 100 Distributed to all FLOAC program partners including Black Creek, Denman, Hornby communities and Union Bay pre-­‐school. This includes Aboriginal programs in Crtny El., Wachiay Friendship Centre and Head Start. Distributed to all youth frontline workers 20 books each to MCFD, Family Mental Health, CDA; 40 Wachiay Centre, 60 Black Creek Alternate Youth aged 12-­‐18 Mothers of newborns. Distributers are St. Joseph’s maternity ward nurses, Plum Midwifery and Birthtides midwives. Also 30 to Hornby Island. Youth aged 14-­‐20 Courtenay library, Comox Mall, Cumberland library – distributed to all children out trick or treating! Distributed at all 3 library events to families. Additional books to Black Creek, Robb Rd. K, Courtenay El. K, Aboriginal Early Years program, Aboriginal Head 300 Funder Books donated by 1000x5 (10), new books from RAR Books donated by Coles Coles, RAR, donated used books from Books for Treat Coles, RAR, donations 100-­‐100 (due RAR, Books for Treats to flood at donations, 1000x5 the Linc)=0 160 RAR, 1000x5 donations 30 RAR 468 Success by Six, RAR 16 836 RAR Donations, RAR, Rotary Book Sale donations 483 RAR Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 16 Childcare Month (May) Summer Reading Launch – Puntledge Park (June) Summer Reading Launch – Courtenay El. (June) Youth Frontline workers (Spring 2015) National Aboriginal Day (June 21) Hop With Me Summer Program 2015 Rec and Read Summer Reading for Glacier View families Cumberland Youth Book Shelf Start, Jump Start, Queneesh K, StrongStart CV Child Care Centres (through PacificCare) To all Puntledge students To all Courtenay El. students 80 RAR 264 Puntledge PAC, RAR To all youth frontline workers 190 (Crtny. El RAR and donations to also received Courtenay El. approx. 500 books through donations) 73 RAR To all families attending NAD 167 RAR Healthy families, VIRL -­‐ to all families attending Hop With Me Literacy and Recreation Program for elementary students during the summer Waiting for the Bus GV families 113 RAR 54 RAR 14 RAR Cumberland youth centre 38 RAR TOTAL Total #books to youth Total #books to children Total #books to adults 3556 157 3354 45 Note: This does not include the 1000x5 Project which also distributes books within the community. Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 17 Appendix 5: Comox Valley Early Years Collaborative Model Comox*Valley*Early*Years*CollaboraIve*
SDNo.71*
Early*
Learning**
CommiAee*
NonP
profits*
Island*
Health*
MCFD*
Social*
JusIce*
Children’s*
Health*
FoundaIon*
Perinatal*
CommiAee*
Leadership*
Table*
RecreaIon*
Centres*
Family*
Literacy*
Outreach*
Advisory*
Fathers*
Involvement*
Network*
Vancouver*
Island*
Regional*
Library*
Faith*groups*
Labour*
Council*
Aboriginal*
ECD**
School*
District*
No.71*
MunicipaliIes*
Cumberland*
Mayor*
Business*
Interested*
CiIzens*
Early*Years*
Interagency*
Council**
The*pale*green*circles*represent*the*former*Early*Years*Table*model.**
Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 18 Appendix 6: Family Literacy Outreach (FLO) Program Report – 2014/2015 Submitted by Danielle Hoogland, CVLOC June 29th, 2015 Family Literacy Outreach Program Description The Comox Valley Family Literacy Outreach program (FLO) is an innovative, collaborative and responsive family literacy program that is based on the understanding that parents/caregivers are the first and most important teacher in a child’s life. Investing in the education of the primary adult in a child’s life is a direct investment in that child. The FLO program, targeted at hard-­‐to-­‐reach families and adults, addresses three literacy areas: food/health literacy, family literacy/early years learning, and adult literacy. The program is divided into three parts: (1) families make and eat food together; (2) families transition into separate groups: the children engage in early learning activities with qualified childcare providers while the adults divide into small learning groups of their interest; and (3) families participate in circle time with a qualified Early Childhood Educator. During the adult learning time, participants focus on their own learning. In some programs, adults are given a choice to work in small groups with a community resource person. For example, an adult may choose to: (1) work with an employment counselor and NIC resource person on employment readiness, career exploration, college readiness and exploration, and Essential Skills; (2) work with a computer tutor on their computer literacy; or (3) learn family literacy best practices in supporting your child’s early literacy development and general early childhood development. In the Spring Session of the Glacier View program and in the Aboriginal program, we also brought in community resource people including: dental health, Active Comox Valley, public health outreach nurse, and a child’s librarian. CVLLA managed three FLO programs this year in three different locations. Location Session Dates # adults registered #children registered 8 children Glacier View Fall 2014 (6 Waiting for the Bus weeks) – FLO program 9 families registered and participated Winter 2015 (6 weeks) 7 adults 7 children Spring 2015 (6 weeks) 7 adults 8 children Adult learning opportunities offered -­‐family literacy (7 participants) -­‐computer literacy (2 participants) 3 learning groups for 6 weeks: -­‐employment readiness (3 participants) -­‐computer literacy (1) -­‐family literacy (4) Each week, the group participated in the following discussions: -­‐physical literacy: active Comox Valley -­‐dental health -­‐food literacy (LUSH Valley) -­‐outdoor natural play and Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 19 Queneesh FLO program Winter 2015 (6 weeks) 10 adults 8 children Aboriginal FLO Step In, Step Out Program Spring 2015 (6 weeks) 9 adults 10 children TOTALS # weeks: 30 42 total 39 family literacy (Colleen) 3 learning groups for 6 weeks: -­‐employment readiness -­‐computer literacy -­‐family literacy -­‐employment readiness (3 weeks) -­‐computer literacy (3 weeks) -­‐family literacy (VIRL)-­‐ 1 week -­‐childrens health (PublicHealth) – 3 weeks -­‐NIC upgrading, Ab. Education – 1 week Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 20 Comox Valley Lifelong Learning Association l www.cvliteracy.ca I [email protected] I 250-­‐897-­‐2623 21