Center for Adult Learning's Sharon Jaskula Shares Plans for Efficient Department

The Center for Adult Learning is managing and conserving resources in a variety of ways. A few years ago, all literacy students were given consumable workbooks and other materials free of charge when they enrolled in the program. As the program grew, this became too costly. Today, each CAL location has a “classroom set” of materials that are used (and reused) on site. Students are given ISBN numbers and ordering information if they want to purchase personal, consumable copies of materials directly from the publisher.

CAL also strives every year to secure grant funding for staffing, equipment, and materials that will enhance adult literacy services. An LSTA grant currently supports two full-time Special Purpose Employees who train tutors and instruct students. We are also constantly recruiting and training volunteer instructors to help serve more students - not an easy feat since CAL volunteers are asked to consistently commit at least 3-6 hours per week for a minimum of six months. We have recently established a relationship with the Florida Coastal School of Law that will provide up to four interns each week to help with testing, tutoring, and front desk coverage. These interns are scheduled to begin later in January.

Even small things can add up to big savings. CAL used grant funds to purchase an ELMO digital presenter and projector. Having this equipment allows CAL staff to train literacy tutors around the state without having to prepare/photocopy hard copies of manuals and student materials. Trainees leave with a CD of materials (to print as needed) rather than hundreds of pages of paper provided by JPL. We are working to reduce travel expenses as well by developing online tutor-training with the help of Richard Mott and Kate Holmes.

No dollars are well-spent if they fail to meet the needs of the customer. While CAL can’t be all things to all people, we have developed relationships within the community that keep us abreast of service trends and unmet needs. For example, our community college’s transition to a state college has eliminated many courses for lower-level readers. CAL staff researched the educational requirements for new G.E.D. and vocational programs at the college and now help adult learners reach those specific targets. Knowing whether or not other agencies are providing a service prevents duplication and allows us to direct resources where they are most needed.

In these times, we are all struggling with limited resources. CAL is proud to be part of the Library’s effort to provide a lifeline to another adult literacy provider, Learn to Read, Inc., the city’s oldest and largest provider of one-to-one tutoring for adults. JPL administrators, board members and Learn to Read are currently exploring the possibility of temporarily sharing space to ensure the continued survival of that organization. In my opinion, these efforts define what it means to be good stewards of JPL assets, sharing existing resources and maximizing their benefit to the community.