The Centre for Literacy

News from The Centre
APRIL 2007
EXTRA EDITION - A “good news” issue

Accountability project

ALLESP has approved a project entitled “Connecting the Dots: Improving Accountability in the Adult Literacy Field in Canada” that will contribute to more dialogue and collaboration in shaping accountability structures and practices in the field. Building on the work of many credible national organizations and bodies, the project will look specifically at the impact of various accountability models on the adult literacy field in Canada. We will identify current models, analyze their theoretical underpinnings, and highlight promising directions.

A broad literature review and focused field reviews in the provinces and territories will be conducted. Providers, funders and researchers will work on regional actionresearch projects to create or adapt models that meet the accountability needs of all parties. The intent is to “connect the dots” among fields of knowledge to increase understanding, create a common language between community and government/funders, and propose sustainable models.

The Centre developed this project in collaboration with the Movement for Canadian Literacy, Literacy BC, and RiPal BC, as an outcome of last year's Summer Institute. Information and open invitations to collaborate will go out as soon as the project officially begins, later this spring. Updates will be posted.

Libraries and literacy

A new project will develop satellite library collections in three Quebec sites. We will target some remote or rural regions where there is limited or no access to Englishlanguage reading material. In collaboration with local school and/or community groups, we will customize collections to be housed and circulated locally. In Montreal, we will partner with a public library that serves less privileged neighbourhoods. Easyto-read materials, literary and non-fiction, will form the core of the collections. We hope these resources will support activities at some recently-established Community-Learning Centres, and offer new opportunities for individuals to read and learn.

HIPPY

The Centre will be taking on sole management responsibility for HIPPY Montréal as of June 1. We have worked with two partners, The Salvation Army and Elizabeth House, since 2004 to set up the local program with funding from the Chagnon Foundation. Elizabeth House is highly regarded for its services to single young mothers; it will continue to offer HIPPY to its clients, will train HIPPY staff to work with specific vulnerable populations, and will promote the program among other local agencies. The Salvation Army initiated the Montreal program, and will continue to participate on an Advisory Committee and make referrals and community connections. HIPPY Montréal served more than 80 families this year in both French and English. A research study is underway to track the effects of the program on the children, the families and the home visitors.