5. This will be the second year for nominations for the Council of the Federation (COF) Literacy Award.

Thirteen COF awards, recognizing outstanding achievement, innovative practice and excellence in literacy, are presented annually, one for each province and territory. The COF Award covers the entire spectrum of the field, including family, Aboriginal, health, workplace and community literacy, and is awarded to educators, volunteers, learners, and community organizations (including non-governmental organizations).

The winner of the first annual COF award in BC last year was the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL). Shown in a photograph on the CBAL website with BC Premier Gordon Campbell are Leona Gadsby and Jennifer Cliff-Marks, who accepted the 2005 award on behalf of CBAL.

Watch for the announcement of this year’s COF nominations deadline soon.

On the Provincial Front …. Provincial News…Notices re: Literacy Funding

6. Community Adult Literacy Program Grants for 2006/07

The Ministry of Advanced Education (AVED) has changed the name of the former Adult Literacy Cost Shared Program (ALCSP) to the Community Adult Literacy Program of BC. The Call for Proposals for renewal of funding for projects currently funded by AVED under the Adult Literacy Cost-Shared Program is posted on the Ministry website .

This year’s deadline for grant applications is April 28, 2006.

The direct link to the complete 2006-07 Application package and Guidelines is: www.aved.gov.bc.ca/literacy/form-toc.htm

Notice about National Funding

The National Literacy Secretariat (NLS) will issue a separate Call for Proposals for BC literacy projects later this Spring.

Because of the delay in the call this year, a shorter turnaround time is expected. That is, proposals will need to be submitted within four to five weeks of the call. The types of projects the NLS has funded in the past remain in place. If you are planning a proposal and would like assistance, call the Literacy BC office.

A copy of the NLS national literacy grant funding application package will be posted here on their website as soon as it available.

The contact for NLS projects in BC is:
Courtney Mulvihill
B.C. Project Officer
courtney.mulvihill@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Phone: (613) 946-0821