National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) has long been focused on eradicating poverty through education solutions for families. One significant step toward this goal is to provide holistic learning opportunities through high-quality family literacy programming. The need for transformational literacy solutions has never been greater. Currently…

This paper explores the following questions related to family literacy programs: How is family literacy linked with family literacy programs? What are the theoretical frameworks supporting the various models educators and researchers are using in their pedagogical approaches to family literacy programs? As these questions are explored several…

Because family literacy programs are new, the definition of such programs and program models are still evolving. Broadly speaking, two criteria differentiate family literacy programs from other literacy programs: (1) the program is conceptualized around the concerns of the family as a unit; and (2) there is, at minimum, an implied educational…

This manual introduces the topic of family literacy programs in libraries and provides guidelines for libraries that are just getting started in family literacy programs as well as libraries that are further developing their existing programs. It is argued that illiteracy tends to be both intergenerational and cyclic, i.e., if a child's parents…

Seven model family literacy programs in Illinois were monitored for one year to determine successful program components and characteristics and to assist local programs in developing and implementing practical evaluation systems. Six were networking programs each of which involved several agencies, and one program was designed on a center-based…

This manual was developed to help facilitators explain, implement, or expand a family literacy program. It is based on research and on the experience of developing and implementing the model program established by Literacy Volunteers of America-Chippewa Valley in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The program encompassed the four basic components of family…

This newsletter issue focuses on the issues surrounding and benefits of childcare that actively involves the family. Articles include: (1) "The Working Parents' Dilemma"; (2) "The Consortium of Family Organizations"; (3) "Children's Services: Directions for the Future"; (4) "Implementing Strategic Policies for…

The Monongalia County (West Virgina) Even Start Program begun in 1993 to address family literacy and to prepare children for entrance into school, consists of three interrelated approaches: adult education, parenting education, and early childhood education. In June 1996, the program was serving 62 families (mostly low-income) with an average of…

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 programs. These programs…

The structure and function of family literacy programming in Illinois is examined in this two-part report. National models are reviewed to provide an understanding of research and practice in the field, and a framework is proposed for the systematic development and evaluation of family literacy programs. Based on visits to 19 sites (59% of the…

These two documents discuss two related family literacy projects that were conducted to develop a model for providing sustained literacy and developmental activities to economically disadvantaged families throughout Pennsylvania. The first document details the development/implementation of the Families Reading Together program, which built upon…

Building on the link between parents' education and children's academic achievement, the Families in Schools model of family literacy brings at-risk elementary school students and their parents together to learn in the elementary school setting. This book describes the model, presents the federal definition of family literacy, and argues that…

A project was undertaken to develop a model that adult basic and literacy education (ABLE) programs throughout Pennsylvania could use as a framework to develop and implement collaborative family literacy programs in cooperation with human services agencies and community-based organizations, including providers of Even Start, Head Start, and other…

Open Doors is a family literacy program that was developed to provide basic literacy training and basic skills remediation for homeless single mothers who have not completed high school and developmental enrichment services for their infants and toddlers. Open Doors was designed to provide interventions to 30 families. The program featured…

The report describes a family literacy program in the Allentown School District (Pennsylvania). Instructional activities included two adult English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classes using resources of the school district, Adult Literacy Center of the Lehigh Valley, and a local church, which provided child care facilities. Adults met twice weekly…