With the program now in its third year, program planning has evolved even further. The newest program, the Preschool Reading Circle, is the brainchild of Minnie Whimp, a family literacy worker.

The manager’s role has been minimal: writing funding proposals and reports, and tracking the budget. Three

weeks before the first session, Barb met briefly with Minnie and the two new family literacy workers to review the funding situation and the budget. Otherwise, they planned the program themselves, discussing goals and objectives, outcomes, how to promote the program, and so on. They come to Barb only with stories from the program and shopping lists. Left on their own, they have demonstrated exceptional competence, resourcefulness, creativity and skill in planning for and facilitating the program. The Fort Resolution literacy workers are now responsible for running their own programs.

Ensuring programs meet the needs of different groups in the community is a key factor in the program’s planning process. For example, before beginning Elders’ literacy programs, the Elders’ literacy tutor conducted interviews with every community member over the age of 55 who was willing to participate, and asked what their needs were. The Elders’ literacy program was based on the findings from this needs assessment.