• All Even Start Family Literacy parents advance their skills as learners and demonstrate their abilities to support their children's success in school.

• All schools participating in Even Start Family Literacy (board members, administrators, and teachers) promote Even Start Family Literacy as an important strategy/ally in helping children achieve the New York State Learning Standards.

For more information:

New York State Learning Standards

Q1-2: What are the eligibility criteria for participating in Even Start Family Literacy?

Even Start Family Literacy serves most-in-need families, i.e., children (birth through age seven) and their parents. "Most-in-need" is determined by high poverty and low literacy. New York State requires that all families served by Even Start Family Literacy must be at or below the poverty level (as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Poverty Guidelines). "Low literacy" is indicated by scores at or below 8.9 on the Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE) in reading or math or by a score of 472 or less on the BEST Plus. Local partnerships may also define additional need-related indicators of eligibility.

Section 1236 of the Federal Statute specifically states:

(a) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in subsection (b), eligible participants in an Even Start program are - 
(1) a parent or parents - 
(A) who are eligible for participation in adult education and literacy activities under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act; or
(B) who are within the State's compulsory school attendance age range, so long as a local educational agency provides (or ensures the availability of) the basic education component required under this subpart, or who are attending secondary school; and
(2) the child or children, from birth through age 7, of any individual described in paragraph (1).
(b) ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN OTHER PARTICIPANTS-
(1) IN GENERAL- Family members of eligible participants described in subsection (a) may participate in activities and services provided under this subpart, when appropriate to serve the purpose of this subpart.
(2) SPECIAL RULE- Any family participating in a program assisted under this subpart that becomes ineligible to participate as a result of one or more members of the family becoming ineligible to participate may continue to participate in the program until all members of the family become ineligible to participate, which - 
(A) in the case of a family in which ineligibility was due to the child or children of the family attaining the age of 8, shall be in 2 years or when the parent or parents become ineligible due to educational advancement, whichever occurs first; and
(B) in the case of a family in which ineligibility was due to the educational advancement of the parent or parents of the family, shall be when all children in the family attain the age of 8.
(3) CHILDREN 8 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER- If an Even Start program assisted under this subpart collaborates with a program under part A, and funds received under the part A program contribute to paying the cost of providing programs under this subpart to children 8 years of age or older, the Even Start program may, notwithstanding subsection (a)(2), permit the participation of children 8 years of age or older if the focus of the program continues to remain on families with young children

For more information:

Statute, Section 1236

Guidance, page 23

2006 HHS Poverty Guidelines

Q1-3: How is Even Start Family Literacy funded?

From the total appropriation ($99 million for fiscal year 2007), the majority of the funds go to states for state-administered subgrants awarded to local partnerships. These subgrants range from $75,000 to a maximum of $300,000 per year. As projects mature, the local share of funds increases, while the federal share remains constant at $300,000. (For more information, see Q5-2.)

For FY 2007, New York State's estimated appropriation is $8.4 million. 

For more information:

"Financial Management" of Online Guide for Administrators

Statute, Section 1234

Guidance, page 12

Q1-4: How does Even Start Family Literacy operate?

Through their school-community partnerships, Even Start Family Literacy programs build on existing community resources to provide a new range of integrated services to families. Such services must be of high quality and must include: 

• age appropriate education for children
• parent literacy training (adult basic and adult secondary education)
• training for parents on how to be primary teacher for, and full partners in the education of, their children (parenting education)
• interactive literacy activities between parents and their children.

Even Start Family Literacy also features integrated instruction in the home, which tailors learning to the specific needs of a family within its home environment. (For more information on the four components of Even Start Family Literacy and integrated instruction in the home, go to "Program Design and Delivery)".

In providing services, Even Start Family Literacy partnerships coordinate with other educational programs and local agencies, such as:

• other programs assisted under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
• any relevant programs under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and Title 1 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998
• the Head Start program
• volunteer literacy programs
• community action agencies and other social service organizations.

For more information:

"Community Interaction and Outreach" of Online Guide for Administrators

Statute, Section 1235

Q1-5: What makes Even Start Family Literacy unique?

Even Start Family Literacy is an educational program specifically designed to meet the needs and goals of individual families. Program staff use a strength-based approach to help families achieve their educational goals. The underlying assumption of this approach is that parents are capable of setting and achieving goals. Staff serve as consultants to parents, providing instruction and fostering parents'/caregivers' ability to contribute to their children's success in school.

Q1-6: Who provides leadership and guidance to Even Start Family Literacy?

Adhering to the Statute and referring to the Guide to Quality: Even Start Family Literacy Program Implementation and Continuous Improvement, the State Education Department provides a variety of resources to its programs. Each of these resources has its respective area of expertise and responsibility; however, they work closely with one another to ensure consistency, efficiency, and effectiveness. Together, the resources provide a strong foundation for policy setting, professional development, technical assistance, and compliance. The respective role of the various resources are described in the hyperlinks listed below.

For more information:

New York State Even Start Family Literacy State Coordinator

Even Start Family Literacy Statewide Technical Assistance Contract

Demonstration Sites

Demonstration Site Technical Assistance Specialists

Regional Coordinators

Mentors