NOTICES

Availability of Even Start Family Literacy Funds for Federal FY 1997

[26 Pa.B. 1060]

I.  Authorization

   The Even Start Family Literacy Program is authorized by Title I, Part B of the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 (Pub. L. 103-382) to provide funds through the Department of Education (Department) for the establishment of local Even Start projects.

II.  Intent

   The Department intends to allocate and administer Title I Even Start Family Literacy funds to eligible local educational agencies (LEA) and community-based organizations (CBO) within this Commonwealth. Eligibility includes entities applying for the first year of a 4-year grant period and current Even Start recipients applying for a grant renewal.

III.  Goals

   The goals of the Even Start Family Literacy Program are:

   *  to help parents become full partners in the education of their children;

   *  to assist children in reaching their full potential as learners; and

   *  to provide literacy training for their parents.

IV.  Purpose

   The purpose of the Even Start program is to:

   *  break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy through means of an intergenerational effort;

   *  improve the educational opportunities for children and adults by integrating early childhood and adult education for parents into a unified family program;

   *  implement collaborative relationships that build on existing community resources to create a new range of services;

   *  promote achievement of National Education Goals; and

   *  assist children and adults from low-income families to meet challenging education performance standards.

V.  Priorities

   Priority will be given to applications under the following conditions:

   *  reflect the family focus of Even Start;

   *  target services to families most in need; and

   *  locate sites in areas designated by the Federal government as empowerment zones or enterprise communities.

VI.  Eligibility

   A.  Applicant. The term ''eligible entity'' refers to a partnership between one or more LEA and one or more CBO, public agencies other than an LEA, institutions of higher education or other nonprofit organizations of demonstrated quality other than an LEA.

   B.  Eligible Children and Parent Participants. Even Start can serve children from birth to age 7 and their parents.

   (1)  The parent must meet the following criteria:

   *  be eligible for participation in an adult education program under section 322 of the Federal Adult Education Act (16 years of age or older) or the Pennsylvania Adult Literacy Act 143 (17 years of age or older); or

   *  be within Pennsylvania's compulsory school attendance age (17 years old) and enrolled in a secondary school.

   (2)  Most eligible children and their parents should reside within the Title I school attendance area, although there is no requirement to only serve those local residents.

   (3)  Other family members, such as, grandparents, stepparent, and the like, may participate in Even Start activities and services when the participation would serve Even Start purposes.

VII.  Duration of Projects

   The grant period (or duration of an Even Start grant) will be for a term of 4 years provided that sufficient progress is made towards meeting program objectives. The Commonwealth will not, however, issue a 4-year contract. Each year, or grant year, grantees will be required to apply for continuation funding. At the end of the grant period, grantees will be authorized to reapply and compete with other applicants for another 4-year grant.

   The maximum period a project may receive Even Start funds is 8 years.

   A startup period of 3 to 6 months may be granted to new projects in their first year of program operation. This time may be used for staff recruitment and training, coordination of services and program planning.

VIII.  Funding

   The estimated FY 1997 appropriation for Pennsylvania is $4.1 million, of which 95% is available for distribution to new and continuation projects. The minimum award will be $75,000. Successful applicants will be notified of funding at the earliest possible time to allow the project to begin October 1, 1996. Project funding is dependent upon receipt of Even Start funds from the United States Department of Education.

IX.  Preproposal Session

   A preproposal session will be held during the 1996 Annual Conference of the PA Association of Federal Program Coordinators (PAFPC), April 21--24, 1996, at Seven Springs Resort, Champion, PA.

X.  Letter of Intent

   Prospective applicants who desire a funding application package (forms and guidelines) should submit, by mail or fax, a Letter of Intent, signed by the chief administrator (that is, superintendent or executive director) not later than March 24, 1996, to the following address:

   Department of Education
Division of Early Childhood and Family Education
Even Start Family Literacy Program
333 Market Street, 5th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333

XI.  Submission of Applications

   Applications must be received by 4 p.m., May 24, 1996.

XII.  State Contact

   Donald F. Paquette
Even Start Coordinator
(717) 772-2813
Fax:  717-787-6824

EUGENE W. HICKOK, Jr.,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 96-360. Filed for public inspection March 8, 1996, 9:00 a.m.]

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