Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2009

Even Start Family Literacy Program
Fund Code: 304-B

March 2008

Dear Applicant:

I am pleased to issue this Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Even Start Family Literacy Program in Massachusetts.

The Even Start Family Literacy Program is a federally-funded program to help families overcome intergenerational cycles of under-education and poverty by providing integrated services: age-appropriate education to prepare young children for success in school; parent literacy training that leads to economic self-sufficiency; interactive literacy activities between parents and their children; and training for parents to support them in their roles as the primary teacher for their children and a full partner in their education.

To qualify for this grant program, applicants must include a partnership between a local school district and at least one of the following entities with a record of demonstrated quality: a non-profit community-based organization; an institution of higher education; or a public or private non-profit agency.

One of the key priorities for this program is to implement a research-based model that will demonstrate the effectiveness of integrated services for families that will yield the strongest outcomes to support parents and their children in achieving learning standards.

I encourage you to review this grant opportunity. The challenges are great but the opportunities to make a significant difference in the lives of families are even greater.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Nellhaus
Acting Commissioner of Education