April 2018 Membership Update   
Celebrating Success in the Field of Adult Education  
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Working together, coalescing around the mantra "Invest in Adult Education" through our award winning national public awareness campaign, adult education received an increase of $35 million- the first increase in more than 15 years! We must continue to work together to ensure our funding not only remains intact but is increased to the full amount authorized when WIOA was enacted in 2014. Click here to take action today.
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Features Your Success Stories  
From Around the Country 
 
Each month we will feature the success
stories you have submitted on our 
often to see our monthly updates and use
our  3 Quick Clicks feature to let your elected
officials know you support adult education.
 

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In addition to the personal success stories spotlighted above submitted about adult learners, you can also read this month's special edition of
Educate and Elevate Featured Innovations (HERE).
 
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                                   www.coabe.org                                      April  2018
In This Issue
Quick Links 
Welcome and congratulations to Laurie Kirstead-Joseph, incoming Region 7 Representative and Larriann Torrez, incoming Region 8 Representative.Their terms begin on July 1, 2018. Thank you to Josh Evans and Kelley Kieth for running as candidates for position on the board, and thank you to the many members that voted in the region 7 elections!

Thank you to our outgoing Regional Representatives Rhea Watson (Region 7 Representative) and Branka Marceta (Region 8 Representative).


COABE'S First Ever Ambassador Training
April 2018

By Regina Suitt, AZ
COABE Student Engagement Chair
 
At Pima's Adult Education Program, whether it was Student Leadership Councils at our Centers, field trips, voter registration, civic engagement lessons in the classroom, advocating for two buildings, or regaining state funding twice, we have always provided leadership development for our students.
 
After years of seeing how beneficial it was for both students and our program, we decided to start planning for an advanced training that would honor our student stories, give them valuable CCR tools that they could use outside of adult education, and also serve as a way to raise awareness about the importance of adult education. We have a long history of taking students to speak at local, state, and national events to tell the story of adult education in a way that only they can.
 
In 2009, some of our program leaders began experimenting with what to include in this training. When it was developed in a way that we could easily deliver, we began offering it regularly in our program. When state funding was zeroed out, we began offering the training statewide with AALL's support.
 
The goal of the training is to develop student leaders who then remain ambassadors long after they complete our programs. They become representational leaders developing their voice, so they can effectively take action for social change on issues they care about...and advocate for their issues with decision makers.

Ambassador Training 4 Components:
  1. Awareness - statistics and research
  2. Stories - most powerful tool to affect change
  3. Public speaking - message & delivery
  4. Meeting with officials - planning, practicing, facilitating meetings with people in power
The Pima team and our AALL colleagues could never have imagined the interest and turnout for the Ambassador Train the Trainer pre-session at COABE 2018 conference in Phoenix. We had 37 participants from 14 states (including D.C. & Puerto Rico)!

It was amazing to meet the teams and feel the energy from all the students and staff learning how to grow their own Ambassador Programs. Many brought valuable experiences with them, but all learned together the elements of the Ambassadors Program. I really look forward to helping support the teams into the future.
 
My goal as the COABE Student Engagement chair was to ensure states had trained ambassadors to help advocate for local, state, and national adult education issues. None of this would have been possible without the COABE Executive Director, Sharon Bonney, President Kaye Sharbono, and the entire Board's support, as well as the generous support from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.
 
To make sure we could train this large group, we asked former and current ambassadors for help. The work we do around personal story takes some serious 1:1 time, so I was very grateful to have nine students and staff to help throughout the day.
 
I am most thankful for our expert ambassador team here at Pima Community College who created this baby and have now set it free. Thanks to Laura Porfirio, Mireya Escamilla, Kathy Budway, Diane Jackson, and the many others who helped shape and deliver the Ambassador Program over the years.
 
Watch for ways that COABE will continue to support our students with membership, opportunities to attend Capitol Hill Days, as well as other opportunities to engage with COABE.

Members Continue to Receive Responses When Writing Legislators

March 13, 2018
Ms. Regina Suitt
Tuscon, AZ

Dear Ms. Suitt,

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Trump Administration's Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 proposed budget. I appreciate your thoughts on this important issue.  

The president's budget request serves the dual purpose of publicly stating his fiscal priorities and providing a starting point for discussions in Congress as the House and Senate consider how best to fund the federal government. It is important to note that only Congress has the constitutional power to appropriate funds, not the Executive Branch.   I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress and the administration to   ensure all federal programs provide the highest levels of service to the public as well as a high level of return on taxpayers' dollars.   As the budget and appropriations process for FY 2019 moves forward, I will keep your funding requests in mind.  

As the 115th Congress addresses the many challenges facing our nation, I hope you will continue to share your thoughts and concerns. To keep up with my work in Congress, you can follow me on   Twitter and   Facebook , or visit my website at 
mcsally.house.gov where you can sign up to receive my e-newsletter. Again, thank you for sharing your concerns. Please continue contacting my office regarding issues that you feel are important to you and Southern Arizona.
In Service,

MARTHA McSALLY
Member of Congress

 
I nvesting in Quality: A Blueprint for Adult Literacy Programs and Funders

The Literacy Assistance Center (LAC) is pleased to release " Investing in Quality: A Blueprint for Adult Literacy Programs and Funders."  Funded by the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, the report details 14 "building blocks" of a comprehensive, community-based adult literacy program, identifies the resources needed to fully implement the building blocks, and includes a first-of-its-kind cost model. The LAC plans to use this report as part of its technical assistance to the field, as well as to advocate for increased funding rates for programs. Click here to learn more.

You can also learn more about this report at the COABE national conference, where LAC's executive director, Ira Yankwitt, will present more details on this ground breaking report.

You may also join us for a live webinar on April 19th at 2:00 p.m. EST. Seats are limited to 500 attendees. Register HERE

 
Adult Learner Membership Options
Free or Up to $5 Per Year


As we continue to raise our voice on Capitol Hill on behalf of adult education, we are made increasingly aware of the need for our adult learners to join us in this effort. Their collective voices will amplify our voice with legislators, funders, and the business community. With this in mind, COABE has launched its newest initiative, Adult Learner's Membership option. This membership option is available on two levels, free (which includes some membership benefits) and $5 per year (which includes a variety of additional benefits).  
 
Click HERE for details.




 
Job Opportunity: Grants Manager

The National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) is seeking a highly motivated Grants Manager to further our mission to eradicate poverty through education solutions for families. The Grants Manager would support the fundraising goals of NCFL by sourcing and pursuing grant-related opportunities for competitive funding among fo undations, corporations, and government agencies. This position will report to the Vice President of External Affairs and will work in collaboration with the team-at-large to achieve fundraising success. 

 





THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE NEEDED FOR THE NATURALIZATION TEST AND INTERVIEW

DATE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2018
TIME: 2:00 p.m. EDT

Do you know how to prepare students for the naturalization test and interview? This session explores the three main components naturalization applicants need to know: English, civics, and the naturalization process. USCIS will discuss skill levels, resources, instructional approaches, and the new technology considerations. Participants will leave with free resources and a better understanding of how to prepare students for naturalization.

PRESENTED BY: Mr. Shawn Chakrabarati

Sponsored by BurlingtonEnglish.
_____________________________________________

EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND ELEVATE ADULT EDUCATION!

DATE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2018
TIME: 2:00 p.m. EDT
 
In a highly competitive funding environment with deep cuts planned for workforce and education, adult educators need a coordinated strategy to inform local, state, and federal policy makers about the positive impacts of adult education. This webinar shares how to conduct a successful briefing to policy makers utilizing the Campaign Fact Sheet, Video, and Legislative Talking Points from the Educate & Elevate Campaign Toolkit, coupled with your local compelling success stories and innovations.

PRESENTED BY: Jeff Arnott, David Barnes, Julie Roberts, Leigh Ann Clark, AND Sharon Bonney 
 

Sponsored by Ace of Florida.
______________________________________________

ELA INSTRUCTION IN THE CONTEXTUALIZED CLASSROOM: A STANDARDS-BASED APPROACH TO SOFT SKILLS-INFUSED INSTRUCTION

DATE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2018
TIME: 2:00 p.m. EDT

With the implementation of WIOA mandates in adult education programs across the country, programs are asking themselves, "How can I teach academic and soft skills in my classroom in a way that will most benefit my students?" In this interactive, high-energy workshop, you'll learn about important elements of preparing curriculum for the contextualized ELA classroom. Walk away with an arsenal of CCR- and soft skills-based ELA materials, teaching strategies, activities, and knowledge to help prepare your students for the classroom, for employment, and for life.

PRESENTED BY: Susan Roberts




For all webinars, you will need your membership ID to register.


Thank you to all of the attendees, sponsors, vendors, strand partners, dignitaries, and COABE Board and staff for making this conference extra special!

With over 440 sessions, many networking opportunities, and a keynote by Dr. Michael Wooten, this conference provided premier professional development to our field.

Visit us on social media or the COABE App to view the many conference highlights.

Complete the short survey to receive your certificate of completion HERE




Your Membership ID #:  
Your Membership Expire Date: 
 
  You will need your membership number to access all membership benefits, including:
  • viewing/accessing webinars
  • discounts on conference registration
  • downloading the COABE Journal
  • accessing and uploading to the Adult Educator Resources
  • receiving grants, scholarships, and awards

If you have any questions about your membership, please contact [email protected] or call 888-442-6223.





Need Help Working With Your Students?

Find lesson plans, videos, apps, conference presentations, and professional development resources uploaded by practitioners and expert presenters. Be sure to have your membership number handy to gain easy access! Click  HERE.

 


IAACE 2018 Conference
April 25 - 27, 2018
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CCAE 2018 Conference
May 3 - 5, 2018
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MAEA 2018 Conference
June 20 & 21, 2018




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Speak Out for Adult Education!

Now is the time to let your voice be heard on Capitol Hill as we contact legislators to ensure funding for adult education continues to grow to the authorized level. Our goal is to increase WIOA funding by an additional $66 million. Through our collective work, we have been able to increase funding by $35  million. The Reed Blumenthal "Dear Colleague Letter" is currently circulating in the senate. Click HERE to encourage your legislator to sign on. 
Read our full page ad that was in The Hill HERE. 
 
Our VIP Vendor of the Month is Prep Path.