Charting a Course: Responding to the Industry-Related
Adult Basic Education Needs of the Texas Workforce
Handbook One: Planning and Implementation Tips
for Program Planners and Administrators

Module One: Determining Program Capacity, Services, and Solutions

Where to Look for Additional Funding…

Not only are state and federal adult education funds extremely limited, they cannot be used to pay for occupational training, and they are inadequate to finance bridge programs that integrate workforce-related English language instruction with occupational training.

Adult Education programs and their partners must identify other funding sources that will enable them to expand their services and better meet the needs of local employers as well as emerging, incumbent, and displaced workers. Eligibility criteria often determine which entities can apply directly for funds, or if a partnership with an eligible applicant is the solution. Reading the fine print is therefore critical.

Foundation funding. The Lumina Foundation for Education is a private, independent foundation that strives to help people achieve their potential by expanding access and success in education beyond high school. Grants vary in size by their scope/potential for impact. Direct-service grants to students and families tend to be smaller than those that affect entire systems. The median size of a typical grant is approximately $150,000; the average size is about $400,000. The usual term for grants is one to three years. For more information and complete grant guidelines, go to http://www.luminafoundation.org .

Federal Funding. TRIO programs are funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. They were established to help low-income, first generation college students and those with disabilities access post secondary education and participate more fully in America’s economic and social opportunities. Over 1000 community colleges, universities, and agencies now offer TRIO programs across the country. Adult Education programs interested in developing bridge programs between adult and postsecondary education / training may access these funds by partnering with a local institution of higher learning. For additional information, go to http://www.trioprograms.org/abouttrio.html .

Another example: The U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training grants for the Limited English Proficient and Hispanic Worker Initiative. Fourteen adult education programs are currently engaged in the piloting of a computer-based ESL program for food services with SER National Jobs for Progress, Inc. a grant recipient. http://www.lep.gov .

Other State Funding. For fiscal year 2007, the Texas Workforce Commission is awarding grants totaling $25 million in Skills Development and Self-Sufficiency funds. The source of these funds is 0.1 percent of the Texas Unemployment Insurance program. Skills Development Funds are intended to help businesses and trade unions increase the skill levels and wages of the Texas workforce. Ideally, funded projects help merge business needs with local training solutions and usually involve customization of services. A business, business consortium, or trade union must partner with one of the following eligible grant applicants: a public community or technical college; the Texas Engineering Extension Service; or a 501(c)(3) community-based organization. For additional information: http://www.twc.state.tx.us/svcs/funds/sdfintro.html .

Likewise, Self-Sufficiency Funds can be used to provide training for targeted employment opportunities. Targeted populations to be served include recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and individuals at risk of becoming dependent on public assistance (http://www.twc.state.tx.us/svcs/funds/ssfintro.html ).

Note: Proposals for Skills Development and Self-Sufficiency funds are submitted directly to the Texas Workforce Commission, but collaboration with the local workforce development board is required. Adult Education is not an eligible applicant for these funds, but the grant recipient can subcontract with Adult Education to provide educational services. Grant awards are generally linked to pay wages equal to or greater than the prevailing wage for the occupation in the local labor market.