Community Partnerships for Adult Learning
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Supported by the Office of Vocational and Adult Education
of the U.S. Department of Education
The North Idaho College Adult Education Center
Highlights
Introduction
Background
Adult Education In North Idaho
Partnerships With The Adult Education Center
Sharing Resources
Streamlining Services
Improving Support for Learners
Sharing Successes And Challenges
Conclusion
Complete Profile (PDF, 366kb)
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SHARING RESOURCES
Improving Support for Learners

The Center's partnerships have also helped with tutor and learner recruitment. For example, with money from a Computer Technology Center (CTC) grant and in collaboration with senior citizens homes and centers, the Center provided computers and computer literacy instruction to local seniors. An unexpected benefit was that seniors began to volunteer at the Center, serving as mentors in the classroom and as tutors, and they used their contacts in the community to help recruit learners for programs at the Center.

Center staff acknowledge that partners refer many of their learners: "We wouldn't have a lot of our students without our partners." In 2001-2002, the Center served 374 clients referred by various partners. One learner said his probation officer recommended that he attend classes, and another credited his case manager at the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation with helping him get started at the Center, where his classes are paid for by DVR. Referrals are more appropriate now because the partners understand each other better. In the past, agencies would refer clients who were not always appropriate. Said one staff member, "For awhile, they just sent anyone to us, but we are not the answer for everyone."

Partnerships create a stronger support network for clients. Counselors and case managers call the Center to check on their clients, monitoring their progress. Center instructors call other partners for information or to seek further help for clients. Phone calls, e-mail messages, and visits ensure that clients are not lost in the system and have a better chance at success. Further, instructors say that partnerships have allowed them to offer a variety of services for clients (e.g., transportation, childcare), meeting needs their own agency could not fulfill.

This support is transparent to the clients. Learners understand how the collaboration across agencies helps them make progress toward being self-sufficient and meeting their own goals. As one said, "The instructors are kind and treat us well. They know us."