Family Literacy
Family Literacy sites are located in OVCDC’s Tribal TANF Program buildings in Bakersfield, Porterville, Visalia, Bishop and Fresno. We provide services to Native families enrolled in our community Tribal TANF programs, TANF Prevention Programs, and the general Native American population.
The Family Literacy Program is designed to promote educational growth for the entire family. The focuses of the program are the four components of the family literacy Keenan Model; early childhood education, Family Unity Nights (F.U.N), Adult Education, and Parenting Education. Plus, we address the importance of Family Formation.
Early Childhood Enrichment
“My children have been attending Family Literacy classes for two years and it has had impacted them in such a positive way. My oldest daughter is in kindergarten and is at the top of her class.Parent and child involvement are required in our ‘Early Childhood Enrichment’ classes. The enrichment classes are packed with opportunities to learn about science, math, language, art, dance, music, and Native culture. What other learning experiences do we provide? Well, to spark a love of learning in our children our families enjoy fun educational fieldtrips, examples; visiting an apple orchard, a pumpkin patch, learning dance and movement at a gym, touring children’s museums, and more.
Our ECE Enrichment classes also offer
- Monthly age appropriate child development information
Weekly Native language instruction - Nutrition workshops
- Two sites include educational/parenting home visits as a part of their program.
Family Unity Nights (FUN)
Family Unity Nights (F.U.N) begins with a scrumptious dinner. Then the evening immediately transitions to fun sensory literacy activities to reinforce the concept that learning can be fun! Drawings are peppered through the evening.
Examples of Adult Education
- GED preparation
- Computer Literacy
- Cultural workshops
- Assistance in completing college/vocational school applications
- FAFSA workshops
- Life Building Workshops (budgets, building healthy relationships etc.)
- Resume building assistance.
Parenting Education
As parents, we all understand the value of learning more about parenting techniques to help us raise physically and emotionally healthy children. Parenting workshops also reinforce the belief that “Parents are a child’s first teacher” and they help us to learn how to guide our children through their educational journey.
We use:
- Positive Indian Parenting curriculum
- Alaskan Native Family Feathers videos and curriculum
- Parents as Effective Teachers curriculum
Family Formation
Our program is designed to strengthen the bonds of family relationships through activities and events that promote quality family time. These activities assist our families to treasure learning together, communicating as a team, and sharing new experiences with one another. Come join us on our next venture.