Literacy and Parenting Skills: An Innovative Approach to Parent Education
by Laureen MacKenzie and Elaine Cairns

"Come and check it out!"
"I like the social environment"
"Go and listen and learn"
"Be ready to share ideas"
"Classes were relaxing"

These words are from those who have attended sessions of a new program in Calgary called Literacy and Parenting Skills (L.A.P.S.), and they summarize the essence of the program - information, new skills and support! Parents who wish to support children's literacy development, discuss relevant parenting topics, and perhaps improve their own literacy level will love L.A.P.S.

The fourteen topics range from safety, to discipline to building self-esteem in children. Two manuals have been developed, one for English-as-a-first-language populations and one for English-as-a-second-language populations. Both address issues of common concern and can be tailored to the needs of any one group within the wider target population. A third manual for Aboriginal populations is expected to be ready in the Winter of 1998. Throughout the three year development process, a great deal of attention was given to the parenting interests and literacy requirements of the target populations in a culturally sensitive manner.

Both manuals, designed to strengthen the literacy skills of parents and provide effective literacy strategies for modelling to children, include a facilitator guide, parenting sessions that incorporate activities, handouts and corresponding children's resources, sample evaluation tools, certificates and a general resource list. These manuals are now available to literacy and parenting coordinators throughout Alberta and training sessions are offered throughout the province to those who wish to facilitate L.A.P.S. workshops.

L.A.P.S. is funded through the National Literacy Secretariat and the Language Training Department of Alberta Advanced Education and is a collaborative effort involving many individuals and agencies under the leadership of Laureen and Elaine. For more information about this contact Laureen or Elaine at 403-297-4778.

Canada-Alberta Labour Market Agreement

On November 1, 1997 a new Canada-Alberta Labour Market Development Agreement came into effect which gave Alberta an expanded role in the design and delivery of labour market programs. The programs affected are the: Skills Development Program, Self-Employment Program, Training on the Job Program, Skills for Work Program, Career and Employment Assistance Services, Local Labour Market Partnership, and Job Placement Services.

This Agreement more clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments, as well as consolidates service delivery. The Employment Insurance system currently has two parts to its mandate: part one involves the distribution of employment-based benefits (UIC and income support), and part two involves funding employment programs to help EI recipients return to work. The federal govenment will retain responsibility for part one, while Alberta Advanced Education and Career Development will assume the responsibility for part two.

In order to facilitate this transfer, the federal government will be shifting $317 million from the Employment Insurance account to the provincial government. The effect in the Edmonton area was to change 160 federal employees into provincial employees. The effect on the various regions of the province will vary and readers are referred to their local HR and AECD offices for more specific information about their region. Adult educators who have had contracts with the federal government to provide labour market training of any kind are also advised to contact their local offices to find out what the implications of these changes will be for future programming purposes.

Up-date on Elderhostel
by Diane Osberg

Registration has just begun for the Spring Elderhostel Programs described in the free catalogues mailed to anyone interested in lifelong learning. A proliferation of week-long programs are hosted by numerous agencies providing exceptional instruction, wholesome meals and comfortable accommodations all for about $400 per week. Two new sites to look out for this year are Camp Horizon located near Calgary (offering courses in outdoor education) and Camp Kuriaskos (offering course on Scandanavian settlement and cultural development) located on Sylvan Lake. Continued