The Ohio Library Council has been working with the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) to bring important adult education information to OLC members. Below is a brief update on recent webinars and important grant opportunities.

The ODHE’s Aspire program, formerly the Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) program, helps adults build the skills they need to become employed or pursue higher education or training. Aspire serves Ohioans 18 years of age or older who have less than a 12th-grade education or the equivalent. The OLC hosted a free webinar with ODHE to provide basic information on Ohio’s Aspire program and how more libraries can participate. View an archived version of this webinar.

The ODHE recently posted the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Aspire grants. The Aspire Adult Workforce Readiness Education program is accepting applications from eligible providers, including public libraries, that implement and improve adult education and literacy activities within the state and to operate programs that provide a comprehensive model for adult education services.

Aspire programs assist adults in developing literacy skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency; obtaining educational skills necessary to become full partners in the educational development of their children; and achieving the educational skills necessary for completion of a secondary level of education.

The deadline for applying for the three-year grant is March 30, 2018.

To help with the grant application process, the ODHE will offer a Technical Assistance Webinar/Bidder’s Conference on Feb. 2, 2018. The purpose of the pre-recorded webinar is to answer written questions that have been asked to date, to clarify the RFP requirements, and to provide supplemental information to assist potential applicants in submitting responses to the RFP. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to listen to the webinar. The webinar will be posted on the ODHE Aspire Grants website on Fri., Feb. 2, 2018.

Answers to frequently asked questions are already available on the Aspire Grants website. Additional questions should be sent to aspiregrants@highered.ohio.gov.

State law recently changed to allow ODE to approve additional high school equivalency tests for adults seeking a high school diploma. In addition to the GED, ODE approved HiSET and TASC as additional testing options under Ohio’s Adult High School Program. The OLC, in conjunction with ODE, held a free training webinar that explained the changes to Ohio’s Adult High School Diploma Program and how libraries can assist their patrons in this area. View an archived version of the webinar.

If you questions about adult education/workforce information, please contact Michelle Francis, OLC’s Director of Government and Legal Services at mfrancis@olc.org.