Reading Initiatives

EVEN START FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAM

Even Start Family Literacy is a federally funded, state administered, literacy program that began in 1989. The purpose of the program is to help families to become full partners in their children’s education. The four required components:

1)    high quality early childhood education for children birth to seven years;

2)    adult literacy including Adult Basic Education, GED, English as a Second Language (ESL) and job training;

3)    parenting education; and

4)    parent involvement

are designed to provide families with the skills and resources to ensure family self-sufficiency with community involvement and support.

Even Start grants are awarded on a competitive basis to local community partnerships that include local schools, community based organizations (Head Start, Adult Education, etc.), libraries, family centers and higher education agencies. Rather than duplicating services, Even Start builds on existing community resources. Applicant partners agree to collaborate to provide families in greatest need with a broad array of intensive, coordinated services.

Once awarded, grants may be renewed for up to four years. In the first year the federal share is 90% and is reduced by 10% for each of the four years of the funding cycle. Successful programs may re-apply for another four-year cycle. The federal-local match becomes 50-50 for four years. Programs which compete successfully for a third funding cycle (years 9-12) receive 35% federal funds.

At present, Rhode Island has nine continuing Even Start Family Literacy Programs in Newport, Woonsocket, Pawtucket, and at Tri-Town Community Action serving Smithfield and Johnston, North Providence, Foster, Burrillville, and North Smithfield; Providence Even Start at Dorcas Place, Central Falls, Westerly, Chariho, and North Kingstown. Two new programs have been awarded Even Start Grants in the Fall, 2000. For further information contact: Charlotte Diffendale, Rhode Island Even Start Coordinator, at 222-4600 X 1-2457.