Technical Assistance

Funding is a primary need for literacy organizations, but money alone is not enough. Programs must develop their own organizations. To do this, they need technical assistance. First Literacy provides technical assistance to our partner programs on issues such as board development, fundraising, outcome based accountability, fiscal management, personnel issues. We also help programs carry out innovative literacy projects, develop community leaders, and incorporate participatory teaching models.

First Literacy provides technical assistance primarily through our professional development workshops and through site visits.

Professional Development Workshops 

In response to feedback received from our partner programs, First Literacy facilitates professional development workshops for the staff of ABE programs in the area. The goal of these workshops is to help strengthen the ABE programs in Greater Boston by encouraging the sharing of knowledge, experience, and proven best practices between staff from different programs. Workshops will be co-led by First Literacy and ABE program professionals in Greater Boston, with stipends provided for workshop co-leaders, and will be designed for ABE teachers, program administrators, coordinators, and counselors. Activities will include the observation of teachers across programs, as it can be scheduled. 

Workshop topics may include:

All workshops in this series are free to staff members of our partner programs and other invited ABE programs. For more information, please contact Michael Feher at mfeher@firstliteracy.org or (617) 482-3336.

Site Visits

Every year, First Literacy conducts thorough site visits to all of our partner programs. First Literacy’s Director of Programs, accompanied by a CAC or First Literacy staff member, visits each ABE program, observing classes, meeting with administrators, teachers, and learners. This way, First Literacy gets a well-rounded view of programs’ projects and overall operations, from different points of view. A detailed report is made, with commendations and recommendations, and sent to programs.

 These site visits function as both grant management and technical assistance vehicles. It is during site visits that the Director of Programs can discuss program and staff development priorities with program staff, often suggesting processes or resources that can be of immediate use to programs.