Dorcas Place Parent Literacy Center, Inc.

Programs: Functional literacy - the overall goal of the education program at dorcas place is to increase the educational functioning levels of low-income adults in reading, writing, oral communication, english language, math, financial and computer literacy skills. The functional literacy program embeds civics education and workforce literacy throughout the curriculum in order to prepare students for their adult roles of worker, family member and citizen. During fy 2012, dorcas place offered three levels each of esol and abe, as well as a fast track ged class. Dorcas place offers classes during morning, afternoon and evening hours, and serves students ranging in ability from beginning readers to individuals pursuing their ged and/or transitioning to post-secondary education. Comprehensive student assessments, casas (comprehensive adult student assessment system), are conducted during the admissions process to determine appropriate class placement and to assist students and staff in identifying realistic and achievable goals for each student's individualized education, career and family plan. These plans are monitored and updated as needed each trimester. Casas tests are also administered after the admissions process so that we can monitor and report student progress. Curriculum development this year concentrated on effective instructional strategies for increasing student achievement and persistence rates. The curriculum continues to emphasize integration of applied math, financial literacy, civics, writing and workforce skills competencies, including the core competencies identified by equipped for the future and national institute for literacy. During the year ending june 30, 2012, the organization's adult education and english language (esol) programs at the beginning, intermediate, and adult secondary levels together served over 1,000 individuals. Dorcas place continues to serve adults at low literacy and language levels, with a significant number of students enrolling at or below the sixth grade reading level. The english language/civics education program integrates language development with civics education. The core curriculum focuses on language development and knowledge of workforce readiness competencies. Through a variety of projects and learning experiences, such as mock voter registrations and elections, and assemblies with national, state and local elected officials and other policymakers, students are encouraged to understand the role and workings of government and the importance of their citizen participation. Students received english language class instruction, and civics education workshops were offered to the entire student body. Students participated in citizenship classes and passed their citizenship exam. Dorcas place provides these students case management support, and complete mock interviews with students prior to their interviews. The curriculum reviews 100 questions, and reviews u. S. History in preparation for the interview and test.

workforce program - a primary goal of the organization's workforce education program is to offer an adult education model that fully integrates a competency-based workforce readiness curriculum with the organization's adult literacy curriculum. The workforce education program offers sector-based training tracks as well as job readiness courses for students who are receiving public assistance and need to transition to work. In addition, the workforce education staff provides supplemental job placement services to students with a work goal who are in the organization's general education classes. All workforce education training programs include academic skills instruction, career exploration activities such as field trips, job fairs, job shadows, and internships, as well as hands-on skills building sessions in a simulated work environment, job search, job placement, and job retention support. The workforce education program aims to help students enter the workforce and reach employment goals while continuing their education. Through individualized career planning and instruction, students are counseled about choosing, obtaining and retaining employment. To help the organization's students develop and demonstrate workforce competencies that are applicable in a variety of employment settings, they are utilizing the equipped for the future (eff) curriculum framework. The eff curriculum framework, developed by the national institute for literacy, is comprised of 16 core competencies that self-sufficient adults should possess. In addition, when students have completed a workforce education program, they are awarded a certificate that lists areas of proficiency. Proficiency is measured by the prove-it assessment software that is widely recognized as a standard tool by employment agencies and human resource professionals nationwide. This is a test-supported certificate that will signal to employers that an entry-level employee has skills to successfully perform a job. Four contextualized training tracks were delivered in fy 2012: in the areas of acute health care, green urban landscaping and hospitality. Dorcas place expanded its esol and workforce literacy services in fy12 to include dislocated workers in need of english language instruction. These adults receive daily classroom-based instruction in english as a second language contextualized for the workplace, complemented by several hours of computer and financial literacy instruction weekly that also builds english competencies. Students gained new jobs and several more qualified for additional training in such areas as culinary arts, bookkeeping, building and trades, graphic design and entry-level medical assistance.

family literacy - family literacy is integrated throughout the curriculum in both on-site and off-site programs. In october 2008, dorcas place and community partners, greater providfence ymca, john hope settlement house, providence public schools and making connections providence, began a full service community school (fscs) model in providence. The mission of the program is to improve learning for providence children through school-based family supports. The fscs program creates an easily accessible, comprehensive set of services based in the school. By integrating these services with existing school systems and curriculum, children and families experience success and maximize learning. Children attended after school programming, with literacy-based enrichment programming including homework club, gardening, physical fitness, library fun, art, kidzmath, science and nutrition. Both parents and children received family literary services. Parents received intensive esl classes and parenting education about how to help their children academically and visit their child's classroom weekly. Many family members participated in three or more monthly family engagement events, which provide opportunities for families to get involved with their child's school at educational events with parent leadership opportunities and at school-led workshops. Play and learn groups provide a school-based high-quality preschool experience that parents and caregivers can then replicate in their own home. Children are taught kindergarten-readiness skills while parents receive direct instruction about how to support literacy and numeracy skills. Wraparound case management is provided for students demonstrating behavioral issues and/or with families in crisis. A case worker visits families and accesses resources to mitigate problems and encourage family strength. Parent engagement specialists work with families to access health insurance, find a medical home and identify strategies to overcome developmental gaps.

student support services - support services are designed to help students identify barriers to participation and persistence, to build upon individual assets and strengths, and to develop strategies to overcome obstacles to goal attainment. A comprehensive student needs assessment is part of each student's individual education, career and family plan developed and monitored on an on-going basis with an assigned case manager. Support services case management staff provide students with resource counseling and referrals to address those personal and family needs that can negatively impact retention and progress. Students receive individual support services, counseling and referrals principally in these areas: housing, transportation, day-care, medical and mental health care issues, and enrollment in the state's family independence program (fip). Dorcas place implemented a financial opportunities center (foc) service model. The agency offers core services to participants already enrolled in existing programs and to those who will be entering programs during enrollment periods (trimester-based in fy2012, fy2013) and for shorter-term sector-based job training tracks. The major goal is to provide bundled services to participants to meet short-term needs, and to create long-term financial stability. Services to be delivered include: employment: job readiness, job placement, occupational skills training integrated with literacy skill-building, career coaching and advancement, retention services; benefits and work supports: screening, access to benefits (snap/food stamps, wic, ritecare child care, housing); and financial services: screening, workshops, monthly group lessons designed around literacy levels, one-on-one counseling, coaching, access to financial products and services. The foc team will develop an individual career plan (icp) for each trainee that will include scheduled interventions for one-on-one job/career, financial and benefits counseling for the life of the pilot project period. Staff will work as a team to assess the needs of trainees in each core area, and develop a comprehensive plan complete with intermediate targets and long-range goals. Services will be delivered so that all participants receive at least 2 of the 3 services. Additionally, educational workshops, health screenings, immunizations, and other self-help advocacy services to meet individual and family needs were also presented for all students throughout the year.