PAACE News Fall 2003

Behind the scenes
by David Manzo, Luzerne County Community College, PAACE President

PAACE is collaborating with students and faculty at Penn State Abington. Students are collecting data on software needs for PAACE and making a presentation at the Midwinter Conference. Project findings will be presented to the PAACE board in December.

A Corrections Education division has been established. We are looking forward to this new group of PAACE members and the expertise that they will be able to share with all PAACE members.

At the September board meeting we had the opportunity to listen to John Weidman (jweid300@aol.com) present an Advocacy Workshop. John is PAACE's advocacy consultant, and the board is in the process of determining how best to use his services.

If you have any issues, concerns, suggestions, or want to increase your participation with PAACE, please call or e-mail any of the board members.

TANF takes center stage

by JoAnn Weinberger, Center for Literacy, Legislative Chair, and John Weidman, Advocacy Consultant

The update for this newsletter includes both federal appropriations and reauthorization of Tempoary Aid for Needy Families (TANF).

FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS: Both the House and Senate have passed appropriations bills that impact federal funding for adult basic and literacy education of 04-05. The House bill calls for a 2%-$13 million increase in state grants. The House bill also includes the current level of funding for Even Start. The Senate bill, by contrast, would keep the funding constant for state grants and would decrease the level of funding for Even Start to $175 million from the current $248 million.

These bills now go to a Conference Committee for discussion and debate and final recommendations. Pennsylvania legislators on the Conference Committee include Senator Specter and Representatives Peterson and Sherwood.

Statewide, everyone, please call Senator Specter’s office. In addition, if you live in either Representatives Peterson’s or Sherwood’s districts, please call their offices.

The contact and telephone numbers are as follows:

For Senator Specter: Call Jennifer Castagna at (202) 228-1229

For Representative Peterson: Call Jeff Vorberger at (202) 225-5121

For Representative Sherwood: Call Theresa Baker at (202) 225-3731

Call the number and ask for the contact. If you actually get to talk with the aide, please introduce yourself and mention you are a member of PAACE. Spend a minute explaining your program. Tell them the main reason you are calling is to urge the Sen. or Rep. to support the House appropriation of $584.3 million for the Adult Education state grant program in the conference committee for H.R. 2660. You also support the House level of funding of $250 million allocated for Even Start. If you do not get through leave the same message but try to keep it short! :

The current TANF authorization has been extended for six months, through March 2004. Although Senator Grassley vows that Senate floor debate will take place sooner, this extension provides an important window for communicating with Senators Specter and Santorum as well as U.S. House Representatives. At this point, it is worthwhile noting the Principles for the Reauthorization of the Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) Program developed by the Pennsylvania’s Welfare Coalition, of which PAACE is a member:

Pennsylvania is better and stronger as it upholds the dignity of individuals and the integrity of families, protects the interests of children, educates and trains its workforce, and provides opportunities for sustained self-sufficiency.

The Welfare Coalition affirms a shared responsibility of all Pennsylvanians in reducing and, where possible, eradicating the medical, social, educational, training, and behavioral health barriers that impede a persons’ efforts to attain self-sufficiency.

Together -- as a community of parents, religious leaders, community-based organizations, employers, labor, public officials, providers, advocates, and other concerned citizens -- we will advocate for the incorporation of the following principles into the Congressional reauthorization of the Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) Program.

Reauthorize TANF for at least 5 years without adding restrictions on state flexibility.
The predictability and flexibility of the TANF block grant has enabled Pennsylvania to reduce the caseload, assist parents find good jobs, and provide a broad array of services to families that are not recipients of cash assistance but need a little extra help to work their way out of poverty. This approach has achieved a significant measure of success and should not be abandoned or weakened.

Annually index TANF funding for inflation.
Congress’ failure to annually index TANF funding for inflation undercuts the real purchasing power of states’ TANF funds. Pennsylvania predicts that it will experience a 22 percent loss in its TANF purchasing power through 2007. Level funding the current TANF block grant will force the reduction or elimination of critical health and human services programs – programs that create the bridge between dependency and self-sufficiency. Congress should also retain state maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements as another means of protecting crucial programs.

Poverty Reduction should be among the goals of TANF
Government must play a role in reducing child and family poverty. To that end, Congress should ensure a TANF program that targets funding toward moving low-income families beyond the cycle of poverty.

Refuse to set up families and states for failure by imposing a 40-hour work requirement.
The outcome we seek is economic self-sufficiency for families currently living in poverty. That outcome will be much more difficult to achieve if federal law shifts toward an undue emphasis on keeping TANF recipients busy 40 hours every week. We fully support the concept of work but oppose efforts to increase the weekly work requirement beyond current law. Such efforts ignore the lessons states and families have learned over the last five years.

Expand the allowable activities that fulfill the work obligations
Education and training are cornerstones to securing and retaining work. Beyond valuing education and job training, Congress should support, not penalize, recipients in their efforts to engage in a comprehensive range of countable activities aimed at reducing barriers to employment and on improving the overall healthy functioning of families. Self-initiated education (including post-secondary education), literacy, ESL, and skills training are among the activities that should count. Additionally, a person’s commitment to mental health counseling, alcohol and other drug addiction treatment, domestic or sexual violence services, and improved parenting skills should be among the potential work activities allowed without arbitrary time limits.

Expand transitional work and paid work experience opportunities.
Congress should make paid work experience a higher fiscal priority. Parents are empowered when they receive both a paycheck and on-the-job skills and experience. Transitional jobs provide parents who have limited skills and work experience with the opportunity to gain experience while laying the foundation for long-term employment. Transitional jobs also recognize the dignity and reward associated with employment rather than the punitive and unproductive experiences often reported from traditional workfare.

Reward families following the rules by stopping the clock
Pennsylvania has been prudent in creating programs like the Maximizing Participation Program (MPP) and Time Outs. Time Outs remove the burden of the constantly ticking five year federal clock for families by recognizing the efforts of families who are working, going to school, or caring for others’ children. Additionally, Time Outs and MPP acknowledge the multifaceted challenges faced by victims of domestic or sexual violence. Pennsylvania should be supported in its effort to tailor programs and offer such stop the clock options.

Fully restore federally funded TANF benefits to legal immigrants
On its own initiative, Pennsylvania has wisely preserved a safety net for immigrant families by providing state-funded TANF benefits. We urge Congress to restore benefits and ensure that such restoration is manifested in every state.

Strengthen families, including 2-parent families
We support efforts to strengthen families – through work supports such as transitional jobs, education and training, child care assistance, transportation supports, the pass-through of additional child support payments, and the elimination of all remnants of discrimination against two parent families in state plans. These supports will help families become more self-sufficient and healthy, allowing parents to make personal decisions about their families’ future, such as when and whether to marry, without government interference.

Repeal the felony drug ban
The ban on TANF and food stamp receipt by those with felony drug convictions is counterproductive and should be repealed. It forecloses two of the only means of support for ex-offenders who have paid their debt to society and want to lead a clean life, but who face many obstacles to finding employment and housing.

Resist calls for Super Waivers
We support efforts to enhance coordination between publicly funded programs. We also support an approach that retains Pennsylvania’s existing flexibility in the administration of its TANF program. However, we oppose proposals to create broad waivers that would authorize states to ignore existing statutes, undermine recipient protections, or transfer anti-poverty program funds.

Avoid major change in the states’ participation rate requirements.
Current law has permitted Pennsylvania to focus on moving families into employment. The proposals to increase the participation rate from 50 percent to 70 percent and to substantially reduce the caseload reduction credit would force Pennsylvania to fundamentally change its array of services. Rather than emphasizing external outcomes (jobs and escape from poverty), Pennsylvania would be forced to emphasize internal processes (keeping parents busy). This one-size fits all approach ignores the experiences of states and recipients and would undermine the gains of recent years.

PLEASE WRITE A LETTER TO YOUR SENATORS about the importance of adult basic and literacy education:

The Honorable Arlen Specter/Rick Santorum
U.S Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Specter/Santorum:

As the Senate considers the reauthorization of the TANF program, I urge you to pass a bill that maximizes the use of adult education as a way to break the cycle of poverty. As a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Adult Education (PAACE), I work to educate many adults who are on public assistance. It is clear that education is the key to determining whether one of my students finds a good job and a way out of the welfare system. Increasing work requirements or further limiting time allowed for education and training programs is counterproductive to the gains we have made with welfare reform. It is also critical to extend the TANF deadline beyond September 30 so that full consideration can be given to these matters.

Specifically, I ask that you work to eliminate these provisions that passed in the House version of the bill:

Limiting time allowed for education and training programs to 4 out of every 24 months;
Increasing state work requirements to 70% of their caseload working 40 hours per week.

These measures will create tremendous burdens on my students who are already struggling to work, learn, and care for their children. It will force many to turn back on a path they started toward improving their lives. With a weakened economy and high unemployment, is this really the time to force this population to find more work, when many with much greater skills cannot?

Thank you for your concern for the welfare of low-income families throughout the Commonwealth and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Name
Title, Program
Address
Phone, Email

February 4-6, 2004
Midwinter Conference Update

by Mary Kay Peterson, La Comunidad Hispana, PAACE First Vice-President (mkpeterson@chesco.com)

Mary Kay Peterson Plans are underway for the 37th Annual PAACE Midwinter Conference: "Think Globally, Act Locally." One of the benefits of being Conference Chair is being able to choose the Honorary Chair. So it is with great pleasure that I announce that this year’s Honorary Chair is longtime member and friend of adult education, Myron Hallock.

Myron Hallock

Myron Hallock is Pennsylvania’s representative for McGraw-Hill Contemporary and JIST Publishing. As such, he has been a welcoming presence in our conference Marketplace for many years. His knowledge is as valuable a resource as the many fine publications he represents. Myron has been a good friend to those of us in the adult education world and his graciousness and generosity is legendary. Both Myron and his staff provide a level of service rarely found today.

Continuing and Higher Education (CHE)
Working with the workforce
Submitted by Mary Anne Varacalli, Delaware County Community College, CHE Division Director

Project Management for Continuing Education and Workforce Development Professionals will be held November 6-7, 2003 in State College. The program is designed for continuing education and workforce development professionals involved in the development and delivery of credit and noncredit courses, as well as other administrative support staff involved in the management of projects. Managers and other professionals who are charged with the development, management, and evaluation of projects or who are involved with planning and executing multiple tasks will also benefit from this hands-on program. It will be held at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, University Park, PA, and is co-sponsored by the Continuing Education Association of Pennsylvania, Penn State Management Development Program and Services, and Penn State Commonwealth College.

In today’s dynamic environment, managers and professionals are constantly involved in the leadership of projects. When projects are well managed, they are completed on time and under budget, recognized by all team members as a positive experience, and completed effectively and efficiently. These factors are critical to success in today’s competitive environment. The intensive two-day program will provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed. This highly interactive workshop features a variety of planning exercises and other activities designed with an action learning focus.

The cost per participant is $99, which includes instruction, materials, dinner on day one, lunch on day two, and refreshments.

The U.S. spends a tremendous amount on health care, and most would argue that Americans’ health generally continues to improve (lifespans have increased; more live-saving drugs and improved technology are available; fewer people are dying of cancer, disease, and AIDS). On the other hand, however, doctors are in short supply, drugs are exorbitant in cost, and a staggering 41 million Americans are without any health insurance whatsoever. What can be done?

PAVE (Pennsylvania’s Adult Voice in Education) is hosting a series of meetings across the state to discuss this national problem. Following the National Issues Forum (NIF) guide, Examining Health Care: What’s the Public Prescription?, trained practitioners and adult learners will guide participants through an in-depth consideration of four possible solutions to improve health care in our county. All current and former adult learners, practitioners, tutors, and interested community members are welcome to join us for a lively and thought-provoking discussion on an important issue that affects all of us.

The South-Central regional meeting is being scheduled. We will announce that date once it's confirmed.

For more information about the organization PAVE or any of PAVE's Fall Meetings, please contact Tutors of Literacy in the Commonwealth at 814-867-0203 or email us at literacy@penn.com. News updates at users.penn.com/~literacy.

Congratulations to Helen Guisler, Family Services Director for the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit (and Midwinter Conference Marketplace chair), who will receive the Konrad Lindenberg Award at the 29th Annual Family Involvement Conference October 20 in King of Prussia. She was selected from nominations from six states. Award recipients are selected based on demonstrating a leadership role in initiating, developing, or promoting effective family/parent involvement programs, practices, or partnerships. Helen Guisler has a history of over 25 years as a leader in family/parent involvement programs.

At the TIU Helen directs outstanding family literacy programs in three rural counties. In addition, she directs delinquency prevention, teen parenting, dental-health, and at-risk youth programs that are examples of best practice in the field. She works diligently to procure funding to develop programming that will fill service gaps for the community. She is dedicated to improving the community and leads through her work in Communities That Care. Her efforts in establishing and maintaining community collaborations are well known.

Helen also provides technical assistance, training, and support for family literacy programs statewide. She provides concrete strategies to help staff understand the important strengths each person has and that all parents want what is best for their children. She is called upon regularly by staff to help in solving difficult problems or strategize ways to make programs better serve their clients.

TIU staff describe Helen as someone who looks at families as a whole from a strengths-based perspective, who is perceptive and sees below the surface, who creates safe environments, is genuine, non-judgmental, and fair. Through her vision, quiet leadership, and exemplary role modeling, both staff and families achieve success and feel valued.

The Family Involvement Conference is for school administrators, teachers, and parents promoting school/family partnerships representing a six state consortium. Konrad Lindenberg was a parent council member and volunteer in the Federal Programs Office of the Reading Area School District. He was well respected for his work promoting family involvement in the schools.

Earn Family Literacy Certificate online
by Eunice N. Askov, The Pennsylvania State University

Penn State's World Campus is now offering the Certificate in Family Literacy completely online (see www.worldcampus.psu.edu/pub/famlt/index.shtml for details). Fifteen credits are required that may be applied to either a bachelor's or master's degree. The courses, which may be taken separately or as part of the certificate, are: Adult Literacy, Introduction to Adult Education, Introduction to Family Literacy, Early Literacy Development and Parental Involvement, and Interactive Literacy: Parents and Children. The Certificate is offered by the Goodling Institute for Research in Family Literacy in partnership with the National Center for Family Literacy. Please address questions to Dr. Eunice (Nickie) Askov, ena1@psu.edu.

AAACE 2003 Conference
Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center
November 19-22, 2003

For brochure and registration information:
www.aaace.org/conferences/2003conference.html

Conference contacts:

Whatever your interest in adult education may be, the LINCS conference calendar has something for you--actually, LOTS of things for you. Check out this thorough list of conferences and events related to adult education, technology, and affiliated topics at: www.nifl.gov/cgi-bin/Calendar/calendar_world.cgi