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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTLC ARPA Appl Addm MISSION STATEMENT PURPOSE Pathways to Literacy The Learning Collaborative Addendum to Application Form PROVIDE MISSION STATEMENT AND PURPOSE (limit 700 words) The pandemic had significant documented impacts on reading, writing, and mathematics achievement. National and local data show that proficiency in these skills dropped precipitously in the first two years of the pandemic. While scores improved upon return to school, they have leveled off, and research shows that intervention is needed beyond what schools can provide (Attachment A). To bring scores to grade level, children need a science-based teaching methodology known as Structured Literacy. The Learning Collaborative (TLC) uses a comprehensive approach anchored in Structured Literacy to address low proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics (Attachment B). With his credentials, expertise, and experience, Dr. William Kitz (Attachment C) designed Pathways to Literacy, a program with three primary components for children aged 6-9, later expanding to other ages: 1. Clinical assessment 2. Remedial intervention 3. Community forums Our area review found no Structured Literacy programs focusing on younger children. We also found very limited access to affordable clinical assessments. When planning our organization during fall 2023, we used “Collaborative” in the title to signal our commitment to working with other organizations and educational institutions. The need is great and only collaborative efforts can address it. For example, the OnTheMark Dyslexia Clinic in Green Bay has an active list of 60 children plus 80 on a 1-3 year waiting list. Literacy instruction has the greatest impact at younger ages, when the brain has more plasticity; waiting disadvantages students. TLC is a new Wisconsin nonstock corporation; we are in the application process for 501(c)(3) status. Oshkosh’s Sustainability Plan lists literacy as a goal under the “Safe and Healthy Community” section. A DEI Committee priority is to “Identify Community Barriers and make recommendation[s] to support the efforts…in removing barriers within the Community including…Housing, Health, and Economic Mobility” (Attachment D). Literacy scores in Oshkosh of black and low-income students are well below proficiency; TLC will prioritize children from these populations. ARPA funds will be used to support our Learning Educational Achievement Fund (LEAF) to help cover the fee for low-income individuals, using a sliding fee scale. This initial funding of the LEAF will allow us to meet the following objectives. Pathways to Literacy The Learning Collaborative Addendum to Application Form 2 1. Provide 5 clinical assessments (with report) and 15 basic assessments of learning challenges for individuals whose income is 300% of federal poverty level (FPL). 2. Provide sets of remedial interventions for 20 children from family household income of less than 300% of FPL, raising their literacy scores by at least 2 grade levels. The Pathways to Literacy project will have immediate and long term impacts in the community. To ensure future sustainability, we will charge a fee to cover costs for services. In addition to the LEAF, a loan library of materials and electronic equipment (such as tablets and peripherals for virtual sessions) will allow families to fully participate and succeed at home with their intervention work. We will seek additional grant funding and donations for the LEAF and will use service fees, grants, and donations for our future work. We are requesting $182,000 for the Pathways to Literacy to cover the lending library, assessment tools, recruitment and training of 4 interventionists, initial funding of the LEAF, and securing appropriate space and equipment (Attachment E). Our principal planner has extensive experience in leading nonprofits and knows the infrastructure needed for fiscal management and cost controls, including auditing requirements and cost allocations. Use of ARPA funds will be coded for tracking within the accounting system. A bookkeeper will handle day-to-day recordkeeping; we will implement separation of duties and will contract with an external accountant to ensure OMB compliance. If an amount is awarded that is lower than requested, our implementation plans will need to slow down, and more time will be necessary to raise initial revenues. Funds like these will need to wait until our 501(c)(3) application is approved. This will impact the number of individuals we will be able to serve under our objectives. Upon ARPA award, we can secure long-term tenancy, purchase equipment and materials, and implement our programs. There will be no problem obligating the ARPA funds by 12/31/24; we are ready to go. Staff will be recruited and trained to expand our services and achieve our goals when other funding is secured.