Item:
Title
Service Contract with Durham Literacy Center
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: July 8, 2019
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to approve the service contract with Durham Literacy Center (DLC) to provide literacy services for individuals housed inside the Durham County Detention Facility. The Durham Literacy Center contract amount for FY2019-20 is $100,725.63. These services include the instruction of High School Equivalency Classes and Job/Life Skills classes to detained individuals at the Durham County Detention Facility. The DLC will work in close partnership with the Durham County Sheriff's Office to effectively implement and manage the program. All classes are voluntary and will be open to detainees of any age who meet the approval of the Durham County Detention Facility staff. All classes will be taught and coordinated by qualified DLC staff members who have the necessary education, credentials and experience to perform their work effectively. Services will be implemented by one full time coordinator/lead instructor and one full time High School Equivalency instructor.
The request is for a contract continuation for funding for the operations of the Durham Literacy Center. DLC's HiSET and Life Skills Program has been a vital service provided to detainees housed inside the detention facility and proven to increased opportunities for those in re-entry. These services are open to any detainee that wishes to attend the instruction, however 16-24 year old detainees will be the focus. Some students who expressed interest in High School Equivalency are required to have at least a 5th grade reading level. To that end, enrollment has steadily increased. The Detention Facility has been approved as an official testing site for HiSET. Fourteen students graduated HiSET in FY19.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: This request aligns with the County's Strategic Plan Goal 1: Community Empowerment and Enrichment and Goal 3: Safe Com...
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