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A
Historical Perspective | What is Family Literacy?
A
Historical Perspective
Background
The Hawai`i family literacy movement began with an interest in adult
literacy. In 1987, Governor John Waihee established the Governor’s
Council for Literacy. This Council was charged with developing partnerships,
programs, and policies that would result in a LITERATE HAWAI`I. One
of the first tasks was to conduct a literacy needs assessment of the
state. Based on the results of this assessment, the Council began to
bring together a broad array of public and private resources to address
literacy in Hawai`i.
A family literacy team was formed in 1989 following a statewide literacy
conference. The team consisted of the key stake holders in family literacy
in the state – legislators and others associated with adult literacy,
Head Start, early childhood education, the private sector, the University
of Hawai`i, and civic organizations. Members of this team went to Louisville,
Kentucky, for Kenan Model family literacy training at the National Center
for Family Literacy. As a result of attending this training, the team
moved swiftly to establish family literacy as a priority in Hawai`i's
literacy movement.
In the summer of 1989, Leeward Community College and Hawai`i’s
Head Start Program joined forces to implement Hawai`i’s first family
literacy program. Legislative support was developed, and Family Literacy
Legislation was written.Why Did Hawai`i Select The Kenan Model?
In 1988 and 1989, Hawai`i searched and researched numerous model programs
which were designed to address literacy with in the family. "The
thoroughbred" of family literacy programs was found in Louisville,
Kentucky with the National Center for Family Literacy’s Kenan
Model. Hawai`i’s selection of the winning model was based on
the following criteria.
- The
Kenan Model was clearly defined, and therefore could be clearly explained
to decision makers and potential funding sources;
- The
Kenan Model was an integrated program and a comprehensive model;
- The
Kenan Model had a training component;
- The
Kenan Model had an program development/program evaluation component;
and
- The
Kenan Model appeared to be adaptable to Hawai`i's diverse and unique
communities.
Based
on the Kenan Model, Hawai`i’s Family Literacy Programs include
the following components:
- Early
Childhood Education component based on developmentally appropriate
preschool curriculum;
- Adult
Education component which takes into account the adults’
basic skill levels and personal goals and interests;
- Parent
and Child Together component gives parents and children prime
interaction time. Parents read to and engage in other learning activities
with their children;
- Parent
support group(s) give parents the opportunity to hone in on parenting
and problem solving skills and time to reflect on the learning that
is taking place in the classroom and at home for themselves and their
children;
- Human
Resources component enables parents to focus on goal setting,
building self esteem and doing volunteer work in the school in order
to build job experience.
The components
are integrated to form a comprehensive, family focused approach and
are of significant intensity and duration as to impact on the family
unit.Family Literacy Legislation.
1990 Family Literacy Demonstration Project Legislation
Hawai`i’s family literacy supporters again joined in partnerships
– this time with the family strengthening supporters – and
the Family Support Center Act was introduced during the 1990 Legislative
Session.
The Governor’s Council for Literacy worked with the National Center
for Family Literacy and began a process that led to significant support
for family literacy in Hawai`i. In 1990, Hawai`i’s legislature
passed the Family Support Center Act establishing a three-year project
"to demonstrate the effectiveness of the community-based family
support centers and to test different models of service." Three
Kenan Model demonstration family literacy programs opened their doors
in September 1990.
1991 Family Literacy Fund Legislation
With the early success of the demonstration programs and the growing
interest in family literacy, it appeared that additional support, financial
resources, and family literacy training were needed to move family literacy
forward on Hawai`i’s agenda. The Hawai`i Fund for Family Literacy
was established in 1990 to assist organizations in developing and carrying
out projects that supported family literacy. The fund was initially
supported by contributions from Hawai`i Community Foundation, Aloha
United Way, and a number of unions.
Recognizing the importance of this resource, First Lady, Lynne Waihee
and businessman John Tsui, Vice President, Bank of Hawai`i, agreed to
co-chair a fund raising campaign designed to create a permanent fund
of significant size to continue promoting family literacy projects throughout
the State. The campaign was successful with more than $1.5 million dollars
committed, with $400,000 allocated by the State Legislature, $600,000
raised by the private sector and a generous $500,000 gift from The Harry
and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. This public-private partnership is
a significant investment for the future of Hawai`i’s families.
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