Family Literacy Programs

What is Family Literacy?

In 1990 Project LEARN in collaboration with Woonsocket Head Start and Day Care offered one of the first Family Literacy Programs in the state under a Special Projects Grant from the Rhode Island Department of Education. Family Literacy was a specific attempt to address the literacy needs of parents while teaching them how to read to their children - to become their child's First Teacher.

Family Literacy integrates adult education classes with parenting education, lifeskills, intergenerational activities, and job skills development, and provides supportive services such as case management, and assistance in arranging transportation and child care. Depending on the location of the Family Literacy Program, classes are offered 20 or 30 hours per week, Monday to Friday between 9:00 am and 2:30 pm.

At sites where Family Literacy is held, such as Woonsocket Head Start and Children's Friend and Service Family Support Center in Central Falls, adult educators, and early childhood professionals work together to provide parents or care givers, the supportive services that are essential for success.

What are the Family Literacy Program components?

•  Pre-School/Child Care for Children (at Woonsocket Head Start and Day Care).

•  Family Reading - Parents practice reading strategies using children's literature. A story circle and creative activity related to the book of the week offer a special time together for parent and child and strengthen the role of the parent as the child's first teacher.

•  Adult Basic Education - Pre-GED, GED, basic literacy, Wilson Language System classes or tutoring are tailored to the individual needs and learning style of each participant..

•  Computer Lab - Parents use the computer lab to improve writing skills by using word processing and e-mail, learn keyboarding skills, and research on the internet.

•  Parenting classes - Parent needs drive the curriculum presented by Project LEARN, but components such as developmental milestones of children, appropriate discipline, communication, nutrition and lifeskills are always included. Individual sites provide additional support for parents.

•  Supportive Services - Case Management. Limited transportation and child care services are offered dependent on program location.

•  Workforce Readiness Workshops -Topics such as the culture of the workplace, career exploration, job search, resume writing, interviewing techniques are covered. New for Family Literacy in 2005/2006 will be the opportunity for learners to participate in internships and assistance in job placement.

•  Volunteer Opportunities - Parents learn job skills by participating in internships such as bus monitor, classroom assistant, office assistant, data entry clerk.