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G2S Project Code: 2021-MN-90228
State: Minnesota
Fiscal Year: 2021
Grantee
State Library Services - Minnesota Department of Education

Project Director
Director Name: Andrea Smith
Director Phone: 952-496-4916
Director Email: andrea.a.smith@state.mn.us
General Information
Title: ARPA: DOC Family Literacy Programming and Training
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2021
End Date: 09/30/2022
Abstract: By targeting incarcerated parents, caregivers, and youth, this project succeeded in increasing awareness of family literacy and early literacy skills and their impact on social-emotional, school and life success for youth through the acquisition of print and digital resources that have been deployed in correctional libraries and visiting spaces.
State Goal: Library services and policies promote barrier-free access
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$26,946.48
$0.00
$0.00
$26,946.48
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
General (select only for electronic databases or other data sources)
Digital Literacy
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Self-Paced Parenting Courses
Narrative: Three different self-paced web-based Spark & Stitch parenting courses were adapted to conformwith MNDOC accessibility and security requirements and made available to incarcerated parentsand caregivers via DVDs and APDS tablets. The courses were: “Why Do They Act That Way?”(geared to parents & caregivers of teenagers); “Say Yes to No” (geared toward parents &caregivers of children under 10 years of age); and “Walk Towards It” (geared toward any parent orcaregiver). Incarcerated parents & caregivers could enroll in and complete up to 3 courses at theirown pace while increasing their knowledge of child & adolescent development, developingparenting strategies, and reflecting on their own childhood experiences that have impacted theirability to parent. Participants completed a workbook to keep as a reference.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Combined in-person & virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 30
Number of sessions in program: 4
Average number in attendance per session: 1
Number of times program administered: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Suburban
For what age groups: 18-25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 years
For what economic types: Unemployed
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: Incarcerated adults


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Minnesota Correctional Facility - Shakopee
Address: 1010 6th Ave W
City: Shakopee
State: MN
Zip: 55379
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Print and Media Resources
Narrative: Books and Playaways specific to parenting skills and experiences were purchased for correctionallibraries for circulation amongst the incarcerated population. Books were purchased for use byincarcerated youth in classroom and library spaces. Books were purchased to enhance visitingspaces to encourage reading, discussion, and interaction between incarcerated parents & caregiverand visiting children. Documentary DVDs were purchased to promote discussion on childhooddevelopment, educational experiences, and parenting in classroom and group settings incorrectional facilities.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 1,418
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 56


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Suburban
For what age groups: All Ages
For what economic types: Unemployed
Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: Yes
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: Incarcerated adults


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Minnesota Correctional Facility - Shakopee
Address: 1010 6th Ave W
City: Shakopee
State: MN
Zip: 55379
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
• The Minnesota Correctional Facility-Red Wing was able to update and transform their print offerings for incarcerated youth. In addition, a classroom library was purchased to support students in their language arts learning. • Correctional visiting spaces were enhanced with new picture and chapter books for use between children and loved ones during visits. • Incarcerated parents have access to self-paced parenting courses that were previously unavailable due to technology and cost barriers. • Correctional libraries were able to enhance their offerings of print and non-print material to support parents and caregivers interested in building skills and gaining knowledge around parenting, early literacy, child & adolescent development, and childhood experiences.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Over half of Minnesota’s incarcerated population is a parent to a child, while nearly all incarcerated individuals will return to their communities. Access to information and programs on the topics of parenting, early literacy development, and childhood experiences encourage reflection on individual childhood experiences and future parenting practices. Access to new and current materials motivates and inspires our incarcerated youth to read and reflect in both the library and the classroom.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:

Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: Correctional facility, incarceration