[AAACE-NLA] A "perfect storm' disaster for adult literacy in some cities

[David Rosen]

AAACE-NLA Colleagues,

As if the Administration's proposed cuts to adult education state 
grants and elimination of Even Start weren't already bad, some cities 
have a "perfect storm" disaster coming if they use federal Community 
Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for adult literacy.  In Boston, 
for example, since 1983 community-based adult basic education programs 
have been funded by the City using CDBG funds. This is also true in 
Atlanta, and possibly in other cities.

Under the administration's  proposed budget, CDBG would no longer exist 
separately. It would instead be absorbed into a much smaller program 
within the Department of Commerce that would focus mainly on economic 
development, not necessarily even workforce development. The current 
national CDBG allocation is $4.7 billion, but the proposed new program 
would be budgeted at only $3.7 billion, would be shared by several 
programs, and would focus on "creation of jobs and opportunities and 
encouraging private sector investment. " Adult literacy might be 
drastically cut or eliminated in this process.

In Atlanta, I understand that the City and adult literacy advocates are 
trying to do something about that, that a call to action has gone out, 
and that literacy advocates and others are urged to contact the Georgia 
Congressional delegation.  Are other cities taking action on this, as 
well as state grants and Even Start?

David J. Rosen
Adult  Literacy Advocate
djrosen at comcast.net