Welfare and the Poorest of the Poor. No. 599.

Dissent. Fall 2009
Welfare and the Poorest of the Poor
By Peter Edelman



Since the current recession began, it has become even more obvious that TANF is not responsive to the real level of need. The number of people receiving food stamps, to which there is a statutory right, now exceeds thirty-three million, while the number receiving TANF has remained stuck at around four million. The numbers have increased somewhat in some states in recent months, but even a 25 percent average increase nationwide would bring the total caseload up to something like five million.

Read the rest.

Food Stamp Need on the Rise: Public Libraries offer Internet Service at no Charge. No. 598.

"We applaud the Second Harvest Food Bank and the Jacksonville Farmers Market for their efforts to help food stamp recipients in Jacksonville," "We also appreciate the efforts of more than 150 community partners in Duval County who allow people to apply for food stamps at their locations.These partners include community agencies, churches and libraries."

To help make it easier for those needing assistance, the DCF has a "My ACCESS Account" service available online, so going to a DCF service center in not necessary. Public libraries offer internet service at no charge.

[see McCook Model for more on Libraries Building Community].

Adult Education and Literacy System. Thomas G. Sticht. No. 597.

History of and Perspective on the Adult Education and Literacy
System (AELS) of the United States. Thomas G. Sticht.

1.1. The Rise of the Adult Education and Literacy System in the United States: 1600-2000.A 400 year history of activities leading to the Adult Education Act of 1966 and the emergence of the present day AELS with organizations and individuals involved in this rise.

1.2. Beyond 2000: Future Directions for Adult Education. Looks at social, demographic, scientific, economic, and technology trends with implications for the AELS; examines government and legislative trends with implications for the future of the AELS.

1.3. The Adult Education and Literacy System (AELS) in the United States:
Moving From the Margins to the Mainstream of Education. Includes the growing value of the Adult Education and Literacy System (AELS) in the new millennium; value of AELS for improving adults' and children's health, learning and schooling; need for mainstreaming the AELS in U.S. education; strengthening the AELS.

Workforce Competitiveness Resource Collection. No. 596.

New at the National Institute for Literacy.
The Workforce Competitiveness Resource Collection includes resources applicable to workforce basic skills education, English language acquisition, and/or technology. Although these topics are separate, some of the selected resources will be useful across topics. For example, a resource listed under English Language Acquisition might also be appropriate for use under Workforce Education, or one listed under Technology might be useful with adults in the workforce.
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Since its creation in 1991, the National Institute for Literacy has served as a catalyst for improving opportunities for adults, youth, and children to thrive in a progressively literate world. At the Institute, literacy is broadly viewed as more than just an individual's ability to read. Literacy is an individual's ability to read, write, speak in English, compute, and solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job, in the family, and in society. The Institute, a federal agency, was established by the National Literacy Act and reauthorized in 1998 by the Workforce Investment Act.

"Understanding the complexity of electronic government: Implications from the digital divide literature." No. 595.

"Understanding the complexity of electronic government: Implications from the digital divide literature," by Helbig, Natalie; Gil-Garcia, J. Ramon; Ferro, Enrico
Government Information Quarterly v. 26 no. 1 (January 2009) p. 89-97

Abstract: Theoretically and practically E-Government and the digital divide are intertwined social phenomena. Using sophisticated information technologies (IT) in government has little social value if citizens are not able to use services or interact in political processes in meaningful ways. Similarly, understanding the development and use of IT in government without incorporating a demand perspective would potentially lead to partial explanations of a complex social reality. This article argues that studies about E-Government and the digital divide, which have been relatively disconnected research areas, have important parallels and potential intersections. These parallels may be useful in understanding E-Government projects and policies in a more comprehensive way and, consequently, for developing effective digital strategies. The paper reviews trajectories in E-Government and digital divide research and suggests potential implications drawn from the digital divide literature for E-Government research and practice, including model and theory development, understanding users, and some determinants of demand.

Anchor Institutions. No. 594.

Anchor Institutions Toolkit: A guide for neighborhood revitalization. The Netter Center for Community Partnerships. University of Pennsylvania.
This toolkit is designed to help institutions formulate the right questions and seek effective answers that will lead to collaborative actions that benefit both institutions and communities. pdf is here.

New Broadband Coalition to Push for Focus on 'Anchor Institutions'

New York Farmers Markets Take SNAP. No. 593.

Your EBT/Food Stamp/SNAP card is welcome at a farmers market near you, making it simple to bring home nutritious food. From just-picked produce to wholesome meat, dairy, and bread products, you'll find it all at your local farmers market.