This page lists the confirmed breakout sessions at the 2022 Literacy Texas Annual Conference with the primary topic of Community Partnerships & Collaboration. Secondary topics are listed with each session.
A Community Center and Storybooks: Case Studies in Collaboration
“Collaboration” is an attractive word for an often messy process. Learn about Refugee Language Project’s ongoing experiment in Amarillo, Texas with two other local non-profits in a unique collaboration with wide community support.
See what it looks like for a non-profit to collaborate with community partners who have overlapping goals. Possible outcomes include a refugee-focused community center, bilingual storybooks in minority languages, and plenty of hiccups along the way.
Participants can expect to hear an honest evaluation of what true collaboration requires, while also exploring the benefits that come from working across organizational and cultural boundaries.
Presenter: Crystal Pennington
Organization: Refugee Language Project
Let's Build An Employer Partnership
You’re convinced your program needs to engage employers but aren’t sure how to advocate strategically for such partnerships. This presentation provides you with an opportunity to analyze leading employer-driven service models, and ways to apply their success to your partnering efforts.
What’s in it for you?
1. Greater understanding of employer-driven adult literacy models, and
2. The knowledge to build your own advocacy “pitch” for partnering with a local employer.
Presenter: Jacqueline Aguilera
Organization: Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy – Houston
Resolving Attendance and Recruitment Issues Through Community Collaboration
This session will dive into the concept of collaborative case management and how it can positively impact attendance and recruitment of students.
By harnessing the power of existing community resources, service agencies and community organizations can work together to bridge the gaps for people in their communities.
Presenters will highlight their efforts and explain how this can be duplicated for your area.
Presenters: Jenny Walker (Literacy Council of Bowie and Miller Counties), Kristina Rivas-Jones (Stephen F. Austin University)
13 Considerations: Becoming an Effective Partner Under WIOA
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) changed the landscape for federally funded AEL programs throughout the country. Outcomes were no longer solely focused on incremental linear improvements in reading, writing, math, and language, but instead charged states with ensuring that programs contextualize learning to promote employment and entry into post-secondary education.
This session will explore the thirteen considerations states must examine when determining a program’s ability to effectively implement WIOA, and how that knowledge can better support local partnerships.
Presenter: Mahalia Baldini
Organization: Texas Workforce Commission
