Adult Education and Literacy Basic Grants

The Adult Education and Literacy Basic Grants, provided by the Illinois Community College Board, aim to enhance literacy and education for eligible adults, including incarcerated individuals. This program aligns with Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014, supporting individuals in achieving a secondary diploma and transitioning into postsecondary education. It also focuses on assisting immigrants and English language learners in improving their skills and understanding of government responsibilities.

Note: This grant has a Rolling submission with Application Review Start Date / Pre-Qualification Deadline as indicated above.
Illinois Community College Board
In 1965, the Illinois General Assembly established the Illinois Community College Board to create a system of public community colleges that would be accessible to every resident. More than 50 years later, the Illinois Community College System is the third largest system in the United States, with 48 colleges and one multi-community college center throughout Illinois. The community colleges serve over 500,000 Illinois residents each year in credit and noncredit courses and serve many more through public service programs.
Short Description
Provides funding for eligible providers of adult education (34 CFR 463.23) to achieve the purpose of Title II of the Workforce Innovation Act (WIOA) of 2014 to provide adult education and literacy services in order to serve eligible adults, including incarcerated individuals, in becoming literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for self-sufficiency, attain a secondary school diploma and transition to postsecondary education through career pathways. Additionally, this program is designed to assist immigrants and other individuals who are English language learners improve their English Language acquisition skills and understanding of the American system of Government and the responsibilities of citizenship.
Objective
Funds must be used to assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency, to assist adults who are parents to obtain the education and skills that are necessary to becoming full partners in the educational development of their children and lead to sustainable improvement in the economic opportunities for their family.
Program Accomplishments
Assist adult learners with career opportunities, literacy, and self-sufficiency.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants
Education Organizations; Government Organizations; Nonprofit Organizations;
Applicant Eligibility
Formula grants are made to designated eligible State agencies that under State law are responsible for administering or supervising statewide policy for adult education and literacy, including such entities as State educational agencies (SEAs), postsecondary agencies, or workforce agencies. State awarding agencies must provide direct and equitable access to: local educational agencies; public or private nonprofit agencies; community-based organizations of demonstrated effectiveness; institutions of higher education; volunteer literacy organizations of demonstrated effectiveness; libraries; public housing authorities; nonprofit institutions not described above that have the ability to provide literacy services to adults and families; and consortia of the entities described above.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Adults and out-of-school youths who are 16 years of age and older, who are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under State law, and who lack sufficient mastery of basic educational skills to enable them to function effectively in society or do not have a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and have not achieved an equivalent level of education, or are unable to speak, read, or write the English language.