A Quick Guide to Ottawa’s Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) and Academic Upgrading (AU) Programs
| Program | Intake | Key Characteristics | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACElinks Community Partnership between Algonquin College, ALSO, John Howard and People, Words & Change LBS Coordinator: Helen Mildon |
Wendy Reid Ph: 613-789-7418 x 230 wreid@ottawa.johnhoward.ca Continuous Intake Call for appointment |
Two downtown locations (Heartwood House; John Howard Society) -Mornings: M-Th -One-to-one -Set curriculum -Supportive environment LBS level 5, OBS IV |
ACE Certificate (Grade 12 equivalent) • Communications • Fundamental Math • Computer Skills • Success Strategies Job Coach to assist with transition to employment, apprenticeship or college |
| Algonquin College Career & Academic Access Centre 1385 Woodroffe Ave. K2G 1V8 Room J205 LBS/AU Coordinator: Lynne Eagan |
Brenda Gaitens Ph. 613-727-4723 x5722 Fax: 613-727-7625 gaitenb@algonquincollege.com Bi-weekly intake 2 week orientation |
On-site, West End Classrooms, M-F Mostly large group Set curriculum Days and evenings Full and part-time LBS Levels 2 – 5 and AU year round classes |
- General LBS Learners - ACE Certificate ( 12 Equivalency) - Through AU become eligible for post-secondary programs - Health Sciences Preparation Employment Programs - Job Readiness - Focus for Change |
| ALSO Heartwood House 153 Chapel St. Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1H5 LBS Coordinator: Kim Oastler ALSO Adult & Family Literacy – English + Deaf Program |
Kim Oastler Ph. 613-233-8660 Fax: 1-866-903-2522 Kim@also-ottawa.org www.also-ottawa.org Weekly Call for Appointment |
On-Site, Central Community, English LBS - M-Th Small group & 1-on-1 Days (M-Th) Deaf LBS – Wednesday evening until December 2009 Beginning Jan 4, 2010 Wed-Fri – days Wed & Thurs evenings Professional Staff Full and part-time Flexible schedules Levels 1 – 5 |
Learners needing extra supports and one-on-one ALSOcares Family Literacy, including on-site childcare Reading and Parenting Program (RAPP) On-site volunteer learner placements |
| CNIB 1101 Prince of Wales Drive, Suite 135, K2C 3W7 Case Manager: Helena Plamondon |
Helena Plamondon/Sara Jappert Ph. 613-563-4021(ex. 5013) Fax: 613-563-1898 helena.plamondon@cnib.ca sara.jappert@cnib.ca lynn.desjardins@cnib.ca |
On-site, West 1-to-1 & small group (2-3) with paid instructors Days, Part-time Levels 1-3 |
Learners who are deafblind Funding is available for transportation and childcare expenses to those who qualify |
| Skills Plus John Howard Society 550 Old St. Patrick St. K1N 5L5 LBS Coordinator: Jan Goatcher |
Jan Goatcher Ph. 613-789-7418 x226 Fax: 613-789-7431 jang@ottawa.johnhoward.ca Weekly Call for Appointment |
On-site, Central 1-to-1 & small group Days – Mon to Fri Part-time, flexible scheduling Levels 1 – 5 |
Learners that are currently in contact with or at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system. -Computer Skills training -Surviving in the Workplace workshops |
| Ottawa Catholic Schools St. Nicholas Adult High School 893 Admiral Avenue Ottawa K1Z 6L6 LBS Coordinator: Maria Makrakis |
Judith Freamo Ph. 613-228-8888, ext. 263 Fax. 613-228-9967 judith.freamo@ottawa catholicschools.ca Call for Appointment |
On-site, two locations (west & downtown) Small and medium groups M – Th, mornings Friday – specialty courses Levels 1 – 4 Accepts volunteers |
General LBS Learners, High School preparation, Bridge to work, Unlocking the Job Market, Family literacy for parents of school-aged children. Custodial Training Program |
| Ottawa-Carleton District School Board 440 Albert St. K1R 5B5 LBS Coordinator: Christine Pinsent-Johnson |
Carol McMurchy Ph. 613-239-5951 Fax: 613-239-2324 carol.mcmurchy@ocdsb.ca Weekly Call for Appointment Placements by goal and level |
On-site, Central, Classrooms, 1 community program, Med and large group, Days and evenings, M-F, Full and part-time Levels 1-3 Accepts volunteers |
Employment preparation for Health Care, Child Care Assistant, Retail & Customer Service with job placements. Learners with physical or developmental disabilities. Upgrading for high school with PLAR for credits. |
| People, Words & Change Heartwood House: au coeur de la vie 153 Chapel St, K1N 1H5 LBS Coordinator: Chris Girard |
Chris Girard Ph. 613-234-2494 Fax: 613-241-4170 info@pwc-ottawa.ca www.pwc-ottawa.ca Weekly, Call Dee Sullivan for Appointment Assessments on site with staff |
Off-site and on-site, one-to-one tutoring with trained volunteers Days and evenings Part-time Levels 1-3 |
Learners wanting or needing 1-to-1. Confidentiality very important -Volunteer placement possibilities -Computer Skills Training -Preparation for Job Search |
All
programs are wheelchair accessible
Francophone Programs
| Program | Intake | Key Characteristics | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moi, j’apprends 235 Donald St., Suite 226 K1K 1N1 Executive Director : Louise Lalonde |
Louise Lalonde Ph: 613-748-3879 Alternate Phone : 613-446-5312 Fax : 613-748-3785 Email: moijapprends@ bellnet.ca Weekly, Call for Appointment |
On-site group Classrooms, Mostly large group Mon-Thurs, Days Mon & Wed evenings Full and part-time Flexible schedules Paid instructors Accepts volunteers Levels 1-5 |
General LBS Learners Job readiness classes Self-esteem classes Family literacy Computer Skills Training |
| La Cité collégiale Alphabétisation et formation de base de l’Ontario 801, promenade de l’Aviation Ottawa K1K 4R3 LBS Coordinator: Alain Michaud (amicha@lacitec.on.ca) Contact: Nicole Dupuis |
Nicole Dupuis Ph: 613-742-2493 ext. 2018 Fax: 613-742-2494 Email: llevei@lacitec.on.ca Weekly, Call for Appointment: Sylvie Beauchamp Phone: 613-742-2493 ext. 2800 fbo@lacitec.on.ca |
On-site, East End Classrooms, Mon to Fri Days and evenings Full and part-time Levels 3-5 plus ACE |
General LBS Learners ACE Certificate (Grade 12 Equivalency) / Ontario Basic Skills IV Introduction to Computers Health Sciences Preparation Financial assistance for transportation for those who qualify |
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR LITERACY AND BASIC SKILLS (LBS) and ACADEMIC UPGRADING (AU) PROGRAMS
Purpose of LBS/AU Programs
The Learner Eligibility Criteria for Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) and Academic Upgrading (AU) identifies those potential adult literacy learners whose learning needs can be met by the educational services LBS/AU agencies provide. Eligibility for enrollment is determined through each agency’s initial screening and/or assessment process. There are two key areas of criteria for LBS/AU program eligibility:
LBS/AU programs serve adults working at Levels 1–5 of Ontario’s LBS Learning Outcomes as defined by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). The LBS/AU Learner Eligibility Criteria identifies those potential adult literacy learners whose learning needs can be met by the educational services LBS/AU programs provide. Eligibility for enrollment is determined through each program’s initial screening and/or assessment process.
There are two key areas of criteria for LBS/AU program eligibility:
Pre-enrollment Eligibility Criteria
Adults eligible to enroll in LBS/AU programs must:
- be at least 19 years old
- live in Ontario
- have communication and numeracy skill levels that fall within Levels 1 and 2 of the International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey (IALSS) or within the 5 LBS Learning Outcomes Levels for Ontario
- be without the literacy skills necessary to meet everyday needs
- be without the literacy skills necessary to find and keep a job
- communicate competently in English (Canadian Language Benchmark Level 6 or higher in speaking and listening )
- not attend regular day schools funded by the Ministry of Education or adult credit level programs
- demonstrate the potential to learn to improve their reading, writing and math
Some students may need temporary support to make the transition to adult credit level education or other educational or training programs. These learners may attend both LBS/AU and the other system for a maximum of three months.
Some students may be able to work at an adult credit level in math, but not in English, or vice versa. These students may be enrolled in both adult credit courses and LBS/AU provided they are appropriately placed in each.
Sustainable Learning Eligibility Criteria
Potential adult learners who meet the criteria for pre-enrollment eligibility must also demonstrate both their readiness to learn and their ability to sustain learning in an LBS/AU setting. Potential LBS/AU learners must be able to:
- set realistic learning goals
- demonstrate progress towards learning goals within an appropriate time frame, as defined by each delivery agency
- work cooperatively
- work with independence
- treat other learners and staff with respect
- make a commitment to regular attendance, as defined by each delivery agency
- demonstrate socially responsible behaviours and attitudes
- understand and agree to each LBS/AU agency’s learner code of conduct
Exceptions
Programs may make exceptions based on individual circumstances. When a potential learner meets the pre-enrollment criteria but it is unclear during the intake and assessment process if they will be able to meet the Sustainable Learning Criteria, agencies may allow for a trial learning period.