Literacy BC, the provincial literacy coalition, has had a long and active role in the field of family literacy. As the lead provincial organization for family literacy, they:
For Literacy BC, family literacy is intergenerational: the family is seen as a “learning unit”. This means that learning opportunities are integrated into daily life and available for all family members. Literacy BC recognizes the importance of the parent or caregiver as a child’s first and most important teacher. They situate family literacy as a shared responsibility – making use of existing community resources and the strength of partnerships in providing service to families.
How is family literacy funded in British Columbia?
In BC, the Minister of Education is the Minister Responsible for Literacy, but Advanced Education retains the primary role in adult literacy with an annual distribution for $2.4 million to community-based adult literacy programs. Funding for early learning and literacy, within a family literacy context, comes primarily from the Ministry of Education. Alone, and in conjunction with the Ministries of Health and Children and Family Development, the Ministry of Education provides funding for initiatives such as StrongStart Early Learning Centres, Early Learning Grants, LEAP (Literacy, Education, Activity and Play) BC and kindergarten readiness programs.
In BC, funding also comes from Canwest Global’s Raise-a-Reader campaign. The Raise- a-Reader campaign supports three primary beneficiaries: the Vancouver Public Library, the Canucks Family Education Centre (through the Kids Fund) and Literacy BC (which distributes funds to 60 family literacy programs in B.C.). Other beneficiaries include: Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), Aboriginal HIPPY and more than 100 other organizations across the province. Since 1997, the Raise-a-Readers campaign has raised more than $4.5 million for family literacy initiatives in BC.