ERIC ED352144: Family Support Programs and Family Literacy: Overview of Family Support Programs.

5 Pages·1991·0.19 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
PS 020 920
ED 352 144
Delaney, Lara; Finger, John A.
AUTHOR
Family Support Programs and Family Literacy: Overview
TITLE
of Family Support Programs.
Family Resource Coalition, Chicago, IL.
INSTITUTION
Administration for Children, Youth, and Families
SPONS AGENCY
(DHHS), Washington, D.C.
PUB DATE
[91]
90-CJ-0960
CONTRACT
5p.; For related documents, see PS 020 919-923.
NOTE
Descriptive (141)
Reports
FUJ$ TYPE
MFO1 /PCO1 Plus Postage.
EDRS PRICE
Adult Education; *Community Services; Early Childhood
DESCRIPTORS
Education; *Educationally Disadvantaged; *Family
Programs; Intergenerational Programs; *Literacy
Education; Models; *Parent Education; *Parents as
Teachers; Program Descriptions; Young Children
*Family Literacy; *Family Support
IDENTIFIERS
ABSTRACT
This fact sheet begins with an overview of family
support programs, which includes a discussion of the premises of
family support programs and the assumptions on which they are based,
and a list of typical program components. The remainder of the fact
sheet focuses on one type of family support program, family literacy
the
programs. These programs seek to improve the literacy of
educationally disadvantaged family through efforts based in the home,
center, school, library, or workplace. Family literacy programs are
intended to serve the needs and concerns of the family as a unit;
contain an educational component which formally or informally affects
the child's literacy or development; contain an educational component
for the adult; include at least one activity emphasizing the exchange
of information between parent and child; and are based on community
needs and participant recommendations. Most programs have components
with child- and parent-specific goals, but the feature which
distinguishes family literacy programs from other literacy programs
is their provision for joint adult and child activities, such as
side-by-side reading, modeling of child development prac',..ices, and
field trips. Brief descriptions of five model literacy programs (the
Kenan Trust Family Literacy Model, Linking Home and School Through
Workplace, Waterville Even Start, the American Library Association's
Beginning with Books program, and Head Start's Parents' Reading
Project) and five resource organizations are provided. (AC)
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Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
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OVER\
11.:t OF F.kN111.1. St PPORT PROGR.Nls
0
All family support programs are based on
Family support programs began to appear
the following assumptions:
in the early 1970s and are now proliferat-
ing across the country. Initially established
Families have primary responsibility for
as small. grassroots, community-based
their children's development and well-
programs, they are currently growing in
being: they need resources and supports
number, size, and complexity. The
that will enable them to fulfill that
National Resource Center for Family
responsibility effectively.
Support Programs has developed a series
of Fact Sheets that provide introductions to
Healthy families are the foundation of a
eight different types of family support
healthy society. Families who are unable
programs. addressing the issues of child
to promote their children's development
abuse, family literacy, school readiness.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OP EDUCATION
Deco ot Educations' Renwarcn and Improvement
ultimately place the entire society at risk.
school-linked services, alcohol and other
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
drug abuse prevention. comprehensive
CENTER (ERIC)
Families operate as part of a total system.
doc mint has been reprOduCed as
collaborative services, and incarcerated
nos
received rom the person or organization
Children cannot he viewed as separate
originating it
parents.
from their families. nor can families he
O Minor changes have been made to improve
reproduction qualify
viewed separately from their communities.
PREMISES OF
their cultural heritage or the society at
Pants ot WOW or opinions stated on thiSd0Ou-
ment do not necessarily represent official
FAMILY SUPPORT
large. Decisions made on behalf of
OERI position or policy
children must consider the ways in which
The influence of the family on a child
these various systems are interconnected.
cannot he us erestimated. The family is a
THIS
"PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE
child's first source of information and the
The systems and institutions upon which
GRANTED BY
MATERIAL HAS BEEN
primary model for host a child experiences
nullifies rely for support must assist
relationships. It helps a child begin to
families' efforts to effectively raise their
Pia Oh. k C..)/7 Cl
communicate and to learn personal and
children. They must adjust and coordinate
cultural values and beliefs. The family
their services so as not to hinder families'
TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
teaches a child ways to lire in a complex
abilities to maintain positive environments
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)."
world, and it pros ides a child with a sense
for their children.
of belonging and a foundation for self-
and specifically parents.
ional
esteem.
TYPICAL PROGRAM
who are confident and effectise in these
COMPONENTS
responsibilities are more likely to raise
ource
healthy and productive children.
plum programs operate success-
Fcunils
Dramatic changes ha ye occurred in the
fully in diserse communities and settings.
nter
structure and patterns of family life in the
Many are separate. free-standing. min-profit
U.S. user the past 2(1 years. Th., population
agencies: others arc sponsored by churches,
has beetmie increasingly mobile. and
hospitals. schools. day-care centers, or
parents often function without help from
colleges and unit ersities. Specific program
extended family. Di twee rates hike risen.
content and structure are determined 11, the
ily
Many children are horn to unmarried
needs of the finnilies being serx ed. and arc
mothers or raised in a single- parent
designed to complement already existing
household. Others are "latchkey- children
port
community self ices and resources. Most
whose parents work outside the home.
.
famil) support programs include the
Family support programs has e emerged in
grams
response to ,here changes. The settings in
idely, as do the
sshich they ulcerate
1.ite skills training. This may include
types of set's ices and resources they offer to
family literacy, education. employment or
families. But all programs are geared
socational training. or enhancement of
toward a common goal: increasing the
personal development skills such as in
Resource Coalition
ability of families to successfully nurture
problem sots ing. stress reduction. and
their children.
romnuutiealiiIn.
Family support programs emphasi/e
proactise approach toward the prevention of
Parent information classes and support
prohlems. To this end. they pros ide
groups. These pro\ ide instruction in child
supports which ...an enhance effeetise
des elopment and opportunities for parents
functioning V. ithin the family: and. they
to share their experiences and concerns
foster in sense of family. self-sufficiency and
sy ith peers.
empowerment. The structured incorporation
of the family into all aspects of programs to
enhance it child's development sets family
support programs apart from other kinds of
(*mounted on next page
services for families.
4.;
L
From these criteria. the following
are transferrable to the community- and the
Parent-child groups and family activities.
program components were identified:
workplace, a more productise community
ss hich pros ids occasions for parents to
is created as well. Functional literacy does
spend more time with their children
In a majority of programs. the
Chill-(finly:
not guarantee economic self-sufficiency or
goal is to enhance ,Iiildren's literacy skills:
full participation in one's community:
Drop-in time to pniside parents 11 ith
however. goals in other areas of develop-
however, without these skills, such
informal opportunities to spend time \\ it h
ment have been pursued. Activities include
accomplishments are nearly impossible.
staff members and other parents
early childhood programs. day care.
kindergarten programs. reading and
COMPONENTS OF
Information and referral services
storytelling events. and music and art
A FAMILY LITERACY
activities.
Crisis interxention/family counseling to
PROGRAM
respond to parents' special concerns about
.1dult-Only: Goals for adults aged 16 and
their children or specific family issues
abme include des eloping literacy and
There are several designs for fancily and
parenting skills. and improving self-esteem.
intergenerational programs to improxe the
Auxiliary support services such as clothing
Services include Adult Basic Education
literacy of the educationally disad\ antaged
exchanges. emergency food, transportation
(ABE). high school equivalency (GED
IMnily: home-based, center-based.
preparation). English as a Second Lang.uage
school-based. library -based. and work-
(ESL). and employment training.
place-based. Program components include
Elk
activities for children and adults. and
.1i/a/t am/ CNN: This component is the
family support. Family literacy programs
distinguishing feature of family literacy
are intergenerational. recruiting immediate
programs. Acti ides include side-by -side
or extended family members and Tanning
reading. modeling of child des elopmem
age groups. Families work together to
practices. reading aloud. storytelling.
promote mutual learning. Family literacy
educational field trips. and computer
THE ISSUE OF
programs operate on the premise that
games.
"there is a snergs ss hich occurs when the
FAMILY LITERACY
whole family. rather than individual
Family Sumwri:
This component targets
members. becomes the target for literacy
Parents, as a child's first and most impor-
the family's 1[0h/talon of community
enhancement.
tant teachers. are uniquely qualified to pass
resources. the doelopment of social
A kunils literacy program is one which:
on the richness of literacy . l'nfortunately.
networks. the deNeloplilent Of parenting
too many parents are instead passing on the
Is conceptualiied around the needs and
skills. and the economic self-sufficiency of
poverty of illiteracy. Today. more than 23
concerns of the !Minty. in contrast to
the ['amity.
million adults in the United States are
Nee\ ing indisidual family members in
functionally illiterate. They cannot read.
isolation:
write. or perform basic math problems well
emtugh to function effect isel) in everyday
Contains an educational component
4.
life. An additional 4.S million are margin-
which formalls or informally affects the
ally illiterate, w ith skills at or below the
child's literacy or deelopment:
\I" 1
I ILFR
ninth grade Icy el. This legacy of illiteracy
PRotiR NI \IODI,s
puts America's children at risk of greater
Contains an educational component for
impoverishment and undermines the
the adult, providing both literacy
economy's competitiveness.
activities and parenting education to
MODEL 1:
According to recent research. the pattern
enable adults to attain proficiency in
of poor literacy skills is similar to the
basic skills:
THE KENAN TRUST
pattern of poverty in the United States.'
FAMILY LITERACY MODEL
Includes at least one actisity emphosii-
Those who cannot read and those who are
ing the exchange of knowledge and
not economically self-sufficient are largely
The Kenan Project's "family intervention.'
information between parent and child:
the same population. Furthermore. the
model is based on the Parent and Child
educational ley el of parents is closely
Education Program (PACE). developed and
Is (foamed based on community needs
poverty. Poor
associated with child
funded by the State of Kentucky in I91.5, In
and participant recommendation.
children also face a greater risk of nmlnutri-
19S8. after PACE had achieved minimal
lion, health problems. child abuse. educa-
attention for its literacy efforts. the Willi "m
tional disability. km- (tellies einem. and
R. Kenai). Jr. Charitable Trust pros ided a
school dropout.' Family literacy programs
grant to establish model family literacy
seek to change these intergenerational
programs in Kentucky and North Carolina,
educational patterns, connecting early
which would improve on the origimd Pi.CE
Ilicrac Act of 1901. II R 751
education for children and adult literacy
family literacy model. Today, the Kenan
tied in
Gootkon. SsAari/. mid NI111,iii,
instruction for parents. thereby creating
Trust Family Literacy Model differs from
nevirrioind
S. Nick.c. /wind% and bite/
Ilulh
literate families and helping to end the
PACE in its emphasis upon extensise
1.11itIr.1 I'mowns, All t'ptlale 01 (lie ,voise,
cycle or poverty.
parent and child time together, its manda-
hiconl, 1'100. p. 0. LRIC ('IcaringliotRe on
The advantages of involving the family
tor) parent solunteerism at local sehn oils,
Adult. (',sect, and Vocational Lthicati(in.
in the education of their children and
and its career education component.
ensuring the literacy of the entire family ate
The Kenan program strives to break the
Palling. Shawn. /-annh (glens I and the
substantial. Family literacy programs
cycle of illiteracy by combining early
,Vation's (ioal% lor
encourage parental involvement in the
childhood education with efforts to improve
school systems. Because educational skills
Library. of Pittsburgh. It promotes family
innovations in family literacy programs and
the literacy of undereducated adults. By
literacy- through a sariety of programs
literacy programs in the workplace.
having parent and child attend school in the
including The Gilt Book Program. Read
same building and at the same time. the
Together. Read-Aloud Parent Clubs. and
MODEL 3:
Kenan Model seeks to improve parents'
Project Beacon.
attitudes toward education. to increase the
WATERVILLE EVEN START
In The (lift Book Program. low-income
learning skills of children. to teach parents
parents of young children recei \ e quality
various childcare skills. and to provide role
Federally-funded and state-administered. the
paperbacks through agencies including Head
models for parents and children. It also
Een Start program pro\ ides four-year
Start programs. drug and child-abuse
assists parents w ith socational training.
discretionary grants for cooperative projects
agencies. food banks. homeless shelters. and
career counseling. and employability skills
that build on existing community resources
well-baby clinics. Parents are encouraged to
instruction.
to create a new ritiTe of family, -focused
read to their children es cry day and are
There arc four components of the Kenan
services. The Even Start Act encourages
invited to visit the library for other free
program. The early childhood component
partnerships among providers and calls for
books. This program reaches over 6.000
fosters the inteilectual skills of the preschool
parental involvement in the planning and
families a year.
child. The adult education component is
design of program.. childcare and transpor-
The Read Together project recruits
highly indis iduali/ed. The parenting
tation services. home- and center-based
volunteers to read one-on-one to children
education component allows the parents to
programs. and scheduling convenience for
and to super\ isc other creatise acti \ ities
work \kith their children's teachers to design
families.
while parents get literacy tutoring front the
intergenerational programs of interest and to
Chosen as one of the country's in-depth
Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council. Parents
assist the adults in developing parenting
sites for the liven Start national evaluation.
also learn about reading to children.
skills. The \ ocational component requires
the Water\ ille Even Start project has all the
Children receive three gift hooks during the
the adults to perform volunteer sers ice
elements that make a successful fitfully
year. and both parents and children are
within the school as a tutor. storyteller. or as
literacy program. liven Start combines an
assisted in library usage.
a library or kindergarten aide. In addition.
adult education component. a parent and
The goals of the Read-Aloud Parent Club
the program pros ides opportunities for
child interaction component. a parenting
( 11 to help parents become
program are:
parents of w idely varying skills to assist
component: it also links the home to school.
more skillful and confident in reading to
each other and to build a community.
community. and other programs within the
their children: (21 to encourage daily
area. 1:\ en Start emphasises the integration
reading-aloud and regular library visits:131
MODEL 2:
of these components into a comprehensise
to stimulate children's literacy development
programs se r' ing the needs of the family. All
LINKING HOME AND
through family literacy . Parents meet
instruction occurs in the home and is
weekly. receive free hooks. and are ins lied
SCHOOL THROUGH
centered around an indis idualized curricu-
to take out library cards and borrow books.
WORKPLACE
lum: parenting education is incorporated into
Childcare is provided: in some cases.
all phases of instruction.
meetings end with parent/child time. Clubs
Currently underway at 31 sites in 25 states
The program also includes monthly pot-
!lase been established for Head Start
across the country. Linking Hone and
luck suppers organised by parents. enabling
parents. residents of public housing. and
School Through Workplace (1.11STWI. has
parents and children to meet and support
kindergarten Chapter I parents.
been actise in promoting family literacy
each other. There is a parents' meeting once
Project Beacon is an outreach program
since 1988. Sponsored hs Work in America,
a month. Guest speakers are ins ited to lead
which provides children's books and in-
Inc.. LIISTW began its first on-site pilot
workshops on topics such as parenting. self
sers ice training on emergent literacy to
program in 1990.
esteem. CPR. and first aid. The I:\ en Start
family day-care homes. day-care centers.
I .I1STW targets employees with children
project provides transportation to meetings
and parents in hok1-Income neighborhoods.
preschool through junior high. The organ-
and pot-lucks. and reimbursement for
isation's goals are: to assist employees in
childcare when needed.
MODEL 5:
teaching their children basic skills: to
HEAD STARTPARENTS'
strengthen parent and child relationships: to
MODEL 4:
introduce employees to workplace education
READING PROJECT
AMERICAN LIBRARY
and to offer basic skills courses: to educate
ASSOCIATION
the next generation of employees: and to
A community-based program Iile Head Start
institutionah/e the concept of education in
BEGINNING WITH BOOKS
Call play an active role in addressing family
the workplace.
literacy due to its fine reputo'ion in the
The IJISTW program emphasi/es the
According to the American Library. Associa-
communities it ',el.\ eN: its 111'011) Ill recruit.
family unit as the most effectise catalyst for
tion, libraries and family literacy hase
support. and retain adult learners: its
learning. Family Science. Critical Tele\ ision
-natural connection.- The library is a focal
operating principles of parert in 1. oketnent
Watching. and Parents Question and Answer
point for family literacy because as an
and empowerment: its commitment to
Tips were designed to promote inter-
information and service organisation. it
working with families: and its holistic
generational learning and parenting skills
offers literacy materials. instruction, and
approach to child development.
while fostering education and communica-
support services. The Al.A joined forces
Head Start's Family Literacy Initiatise's
tion. Family Reading teaches parents hos\ to
ith the Bell Atlantic Corporation in 1990 to
main goal is to offer a family !itera.:y
read aloud to children and how to select
provide grants to public libraries in the mid-
program to ever!, Head Start grantee. The
books. At the workplace. parents are taught
Atlantic region. establishing library -based
objectives of Head Stares Fancily Literacy
activities they can bring home and share
family literacy programs and a national
Initiative arc. (1) to enable Head Start
with their children.
clearinghouse on family literacy.
parents to develop and use literacy skills
Recently, 1./ISTW has established a
Beginning with Books is a nationally -
which enable them to become more active
Literacy Network of 31 companies and
recogni/ed family literacy program founded
((Infinite(' On ?WU page
unions which meets semiannually to discuss
in 1984 and affiliated with The Carnegie
programs. and by publishing and distributing
and information services. Through its
and effective participants in the commu-
literature documenting effective literacy
Office for Library Outreach Services, the
nity. in the workplace, in their child's
programs in operation.
ALA has promoted library literacy
education and development, and in their
programs at the federal. state, and local
efforts to obtain economic and social self-
International Reading Association
levels.
sufficiency: and (2) to enhance each
800 Barksdale Road. P.O. Box 8139
The list of ALA services is extensive
child's literacy development by helping
Newark. DE 19714-8139
and includes: legislating for federal
parents become more effective as their
302/731-1600
support to libraries: defending intellectual
The International Reading Association is a
child's "first teachers."
freedom by asserting libraries' rights to
One such Head Start program is the
nonprofit educational membership organiza-
shelve and circulate diverse materials:
Parents' Reading Project. in Wisconsin.
tion established in 1956. The association has
publishing journals and monographs:
The project's literacy assistant serves 35 grown to more than 93.000 members in 90
reviewing, evaluating, and accrediting
countries around the world. The IRA's goals
families by supporting parents' involve-
graduate programs of library education:
ment in a library-sponsored literacy are to improve the quality of reading
encouraging public use of libraries through
instruction through the study, of the reading
program and encouraging parent-and-
public service advertising and graphics:
child interactions which promote literacy.
process and teaching techniques: to sere as
promoting library services to the rural
of
A lending library of tape-recorded hooks
a clearinghouse for the dissemination
poor, ethnic minorities. illiterates, and
is a popular resource. reading research through conferences.
others: participating in library education
journals, and other publications: to increase
and professional development: assisting in
literacy levels worldwide: and to actively
research projects: preserving library
encourage and support lifelong readine
materials: recognizing and rewarding
habits.
REsoiRty.
excellence (e.g. the Newbery and Caldicott
IRA encourages parents to become
awards for children's literature): and
invoked in their children's education
oRGANif,i10.s
sponsoring national conferences.
through reading actit ities and supports
intergenerational family literacy projects.
The National Center for Family
These family literacy projects include:
The National Resource Center for
Literacy
Family Support Programs (NRC/FSP)
1 Riverfront Plaza. Suite 608
IRA's FilMi \ Literacy Commission.
Louisville. KY 40202
Family Resource Coalition
formed to heighten awareness about family
502'584-1133 FAX 502'584-0172
200 S. Michigan Avenue. Suite 1520
Mcrae) and to studs famil) literac)
The National Center for Famil) Literac) is
Chicago. IL 60604
projects worldwide.
a pri\ ate, not-for-profit corporation
312,341-0900 FAX [phone]
established in I989. The Center's goal is
The National Resource Center for Faint')
Family Focus: Reading and Learning
Support Programs (NRC/FSP) was
to break the intergenerational c)ele of
Together. des eloped as 0 model program
established to assure the mailabilit) of
famil) illiteracy by providing training
to help families learn new \Ka)s to foster
current know ledge in the field of famil
hick integrates adult literacy. earl)
good reading habits and to improve
childhood education, and family intersen-
support on the design. development. and
reading skills through the use of the
implementation of famil) support
lion techniques into literacy programs
new .paper.
planning to adopt the Kenan Model for
programs.
The NRC/FSP operates a computerized
Family Literacy.
IRA's special interest groups. Adult
The functions of the Center can he
database to document and disseminate
I.iterac\. Aging and Intergenerational
inf(wmation on esemplar) and Milos atiS
divided into three broad areas: promoting
Reading. and Parental Iris ohement
Eerily support programs across the
awareness of the c)clical. inter-genera-
pros ide forums for sharing information
tional effects of illiteracy through seminars
country .
thout specific areas of interest among
ops
The Center identifies and ceve.1 1
and printed information: research and
reading professionals.
resource Materials for polio makers and
demonstratkin: and prck,iding technical
practitioners (such as program descrip-
assistance. training. information. and
I), Ian, t and
tions. bibliographies. program des elop-
materials to family literacy organiiations.
11 /Wien
le, Well', 11( 41 dile'
1.411,1
B. Hum\
ment manuals. training curricula and
111111,..!
.1.
1 1111;c I
.1441111
I 'nil< rout
The Barbara Bush Foundation for
fof
5, hold 01
s.
monographs): and pros ides technical
11,414,
1'1111111
Family Literacy
Chit aco
assistance. training. and consulting in
1002 Wisconsin Avenue NW
famil) support program design and
Washington. DC 20007
operations.
202/338-2006
The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family
The American Library Association
Literacy V, as established in March. 1989.
Public Information Office
The Foundation's mission is to support the
50 East Huron Street
development of famil) literacy programs.
Chicago. IL 60611
to break the intergen,:rational cycle of
312/944-6780 or 1-800-545-2433
It'd\ ilevelopc(11)1 the .\ational
Thi%
The American Lihrar) Association (ALAI
illiteracy. and to establish literacy as a
Newlin et .eince 11,1'1(11,111.1 Support !i'nt'ern.
aloe in es cry lamil) in America.
is the oldest and largest librar) association
tundril in the I ..S. 1)1'011'1111CW at 11(.411111 (111(1
The Foundation accomplishes this by
in the world and has heen active in
1111111(11I.S.II.ie.,%. Admits/ si ninon on
promoting literacy and education since
identifying successful literacy programs.
Youth tun! Etintilie. Children's Bureau
awarding grants for excellence. pro\ iding
I876. Its 53.000 members represent all
91)-(11.0960 tinder
ceni(1eralire. a (!reeincni
seed money kw community planning of
types of libraries: state. public, academic.
contract lila, the 1- anti! y Rimer( e Coalition.
military. government. hospital. prison. and
'lid, inlorntalion h in the ptrhlir donniin.
interagency family literacy programs.
more. The Al A's main purpose is to
encouraging recognition of literacy
c. )In and ,hurt' d.
Roulet I are enciniatxd
achieve and maintain high-quality library
educators. volunteers. students. and
/nil (11e(1.0' (Trdil 11h NRC/F.S1'0. it, yntree.