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Possible Funding for Learner Leaders(Posted July, 2000)
Adult learners who are members of VALUE can talk with each other by e-mail. They do this on the "VALUELEARNERS" e-list (also called an "electronic list" or "listserv"). VALUE has set this up for its members. A small number of adult education professionals also participate.
Members use this e-mail connection to trade ideas, share information, and respond to questions raised by others. Recently, one participant got a discussion going about the question of "What funding sources will support paid positions for adult learner leaders?"
Summarized below is what was said:
Diane Morawski (director of Project LEARN in Medina, Ohio) said:
"I am (an adult education program) director . . . . I received information on the (National Institute for Literacy) Fellowship that was available a month or so ago. We couldn't turn it around (and apply for a learner in our program) in the time remaining for deadline.
"Is there any other source for (these kinds of) Fellowships? (Our student) is interested since he is not working (in a full-time job). Any other ideas about funding him as a staff member would be appreciated."
Paul Jurmo (VALUE’s administrator) replied:
"Diane Morawski recently asked where she might look for funds to create a paid position for an adult learner on her staff. This is an important question if we want adult learners to move into leadership roles within programs. Some learners would like to do this work full-time, but need to be paid for their time. (Too much volunteering can lead to burn-out and bankruptcy!!!!)
"The only other sources of potential funding for learners on staff that I know of are (a) the federal VISTA program , (b) foundation grants, and (c) public funding (e.g., the Delaware adult education office funds a number of adult learners who serve as liaisons to learners around the state).
"VALUE has issued an Advocacy Message ("Learners as Advocates") which asks state adult education directors to support learner leadership in various ways. This could include funding staff positions for learner leaders. This is a source Diane and others might pursue.
"Several VALUE board members currently serve as paid staff on their programs.
"Does anyone else out there have any suggestions for possible funding sources for Diane to pursue? Please post them here. We might compile a list of possible sources and spread this idea around further."
Toni Cordell-Seiple (adult learner in Georgia) replied:
"Thank you, Carol, for this information. It can serve as an encouragement for those who see the VALUE of students.
"I would suggest the two national literacy organizations consider hiring students on staff. If students are making that much of an impact on the state level, there is a lot a student could do for both Laubach and LVA."
Carole Talan (of the California State Library) wrote:
"California public libraries have over 26 adult learners on staff in local programs. Most of them just met (in May) for a two-day training and planning session in San Jose. (Adult learner and VALUE board member) Emma Torrez organized and set up the meeting, so she can tell you more about the actual meeting. This group will now work to support each other and to try to get additional libraries to hire learners.
"I understand the meeting was great!! I funded that using federal LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) funding. I will provide them additional funding this year for mentoring each other and another meeting. Remember, meetings in California are not cheap, as generally half the people must fly to get there!
"Most of our adult learners are paid out of regular city, county or state funding. However, they generally are on contract as we have had trouble overcoming some of the governmental issues around minimal educational levels for employees. There are a some notable exceptions to this such as John Zickefoose (learner leader on staff at the Corona Public Library) who is a city employee.
"Some of our learners are paid through special grants from foundations or local entities other than government specifically requested for that purpose."
This discussion also provoked a painful question from a practitioner. He said that he, as a trained adult educator, found it hard to find full-time, paid work. We discussed how to avoid seeing adult learners and practitioners as competitors -- fighting over scraps of funding!!!
We have since learned that AmeriCorps funding is being used in some places to fund paid positions for adult learner leaders. In Washington State, AmeriCorps Volunteers have played an important role in adult literacy efforts. This has included helping to start up ALLOW, the new state organization for adult learners. However, it appears that AmeriCorps officials have decided to have their Volunteers work only with children in schools and no longer in adult education programs. This means that an important source of funds for both adult learner leaders and practitioners in Washington State is being taken away from adult literacy.
VALUE hopes that this discussion will spark further dialogue around this important question. If we are going to promote adult learner leadership, we need to find ways to pay for the time of those who want or need to go beyond unpaid volunteerism.
Revised 7/26/00