Providing Education and Training to Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers I. TOPIC Rural Opportunities, Inc. II. LOCATION West Chester, Pennsylvania III. SUBJECT Providing Education and Training to Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers IV. SUMMARY Through the experiences of Rural Opportunities, Inc. (ROI), it became evident that migrant and seasonal farmworkers participating in ROI's programs wanted to further their education. Because many of the workers' reading and math skills were at approximately a third grade level, it made it difficult for them to participate in the typical classroom environment. ROI developed a unique curriculum based on hands-on knowledge in combination with English-as-a Second-Language (ESL) and Workplace Literacy. The program brought together private and government sector organizations to combat the problem. Moyer Packing Company became a partner in the venture by establishing a Meat Cutter/Apprentice Training Center. If the pilot program was successful, Moyer would develop additional training which would evolve and help the company expand and create jobs. The program used multiple sources of funding and brought the community together. The local community provided educational workshops including drug and alcohol education, vocational tours, and AIDS counseling. In addition to these services, the City of Reading provided relocation assistance. V. SUCCESSFUL PRACTICE Developed community partnerships to provide migrant and seasonal workers with additional education and vocational opportunities. VI. CONTACT Kay Brown, Executive Director Nita Dagostino, Project Director Rural Opportunities, Inc. (A Community Action Agency) 350 East Market Street West Chester, PA 19382 610-692-3394 FAX: 610-429-8144 VII. CASE STUDY The Problem: Through the experiences of Rural Opportunities, Inc. (ROI), a Community Action Agency, it became evident that migrant and seasonal farmworkers participating in ROI programs wanted to further their education. Because the average reading and math skills level was equivalent to third grade, this made it difficult for them participate in a typical classroom environment. The Approach Adopted: ROI developed a unique curriculum tailored to the special needs of its clients. In conjunction with the local community and a private company, ROI provided training programs and educational workshops on various topics. How They Implemented The Approach: Based on the needs of their clients, ROI created a course that took a more hands-on, knowledge-based approach combined with English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) and Workplace Literacy programs. To complement the program, Moyer Packing Company became a partner by jointly establishing a Meat Cutter/Apprentice Training Center that, if successful, would evolve and assist the company with expansion and help create jobs for the community. The project used multiple sources of funding from the United States Department of Labor, the Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Telecommunications Education Fund, and the Moyer Packing Company. The local community provided educational workshops, including drug and alcohol education through Help Counseling, AIDS counseling through Project SALUD, and vocational tours through ACME Markets. Relocation assistance was provided by using revitalization funds through the City of Reading. Results: ROI brought together private and government agencies, as well as the community to provide essential services that were lacking in the community. Many of these people now serve as mentors for ROI's Migrant Headstart Children. VIII. KEY WORDS Apprenticeships Community Action Agency Department of Community Affairs Department of Labor Education English-As-A-Second-Language (ESL) Farmworkers Federal Emergency Management Agency Help Counseling Jobs Literacy Migrant Workers Telecommunications Education Fund ref: roi.doc