Name of the Project

Even Start Family Literacy State Initiative

Grantee Contact

Bonnie Griffiths, ES State Coordinator

MN Department of Children, Families and Learning

1500 Highway 36 West

Roseville MN 55113

Tel: 651-582-8283

Fax: 651-582-8727

E-mail: bonnie.griffiths@state.mn.us

Even Start Statewide Family Literacy Coordinator

Bonnie Griffiths

(same)

Even Start Statewide Family Literacy Initiative Project Goals

• Strengthen and expand State-level collaboration for family literacy
• Build public awareness among legislators, policymakers and the public
• Support the development of new family literacy programs and strengthen existing family literacy programs
• Expand the current family literacy training system to establish an intensive and systematic staff development plan
• Improve evaluation strategies and data collection

Project Description

Minnesota's consortium has been active since August 1999. Some of the activities and materials development that will be undertaken to achieve the above stated goals are:

• To build public awareness among legislators, policymakers and the public:
• A brochure, data sheets and information packet
• Statewide directory
• Family literacy video
• Public service announcements
• Informational presentations
• Public relations kit
• To support the development of new family literacy programs and strengthen existing family literacy programs:
• A program development guide
• Regional networks
• Head Start initiative
• Model sites
• Site visits
• Newsletter, web site and listserv
• Family literacy resource center
• To expand the current family literacy training system to establish an intensive and systematic staff development plan:
• Conferences
• Training modules in evaluation, early childhood family education, and other topics
• Peer review process

Minnesota's plan also includes an evaluation of the initiative.

Priorities Addressed

• Using research on reading and literacy in program planning
• Implementing a professional development plan for staff
• Increasing the intensity of family literacy activities for school-age children (up to 7 years old)
• Improving local evaluation methods and practices
• Absolute Priority: Family Literacy Performance Indicators