Photo Courtesy of Sen. Peralta’s Office
Senator Peralta characterized Adult Literacy Education programs as “lifelines to thousands of New Yorkers.”
By Forum Staff
To offset recent federal alterations, State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) on Friday urged the State Senate to include $15.3 million in the final Fiscal Year 2018-19 Executive Budget to support Adult Literacy Education programs.
The senator pointed out that the current allocation for ALE classes in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed Executive Budget is $6.3 million. According to Peralta, changes to the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act have resulted in $8 million that was previously available for English Language Civics to be allocated for other purposes.
The senator said this will put 17,000 adult New Yorkers at risk of not being able to access the programs.
“Simply put, [the programs] are a springboard to a brighter future, with greater opportunity,” Peralta wrote in a letter to Albany’s upper chamber.
Peralta also noted in the missive that “only 2.5 percent of those in need of language development skills are able to participate in State-funded classes. It is estimated that over 50,000 New Yorkers are currently on waiting lists to access adult literacy classes.”
Adult Literacy Education programs, described by Peralta as “lifelines to thousands of New Yorkers,” are designed to help New Yorkers increase their language skills and credentials to improve their earning and employment potential, the senator added. Classes are provided through community-based organizations, libraries, community colleges, and volunteer groups.
“A renewed investment in New York’s ALE programs will allow us to capitalize on the potential of hardworking New Yorkers who are seeking to build better lives for themselves and tier families,” Peralta wrote to his colleagues.
