Notice Regarding Protections Against Religious Discrimination_August 2025_FILLABLE (004)

AID 1858553 · View on Simbli

Agenda Item

i. Grant Acceptance of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) Grant Award ~ State Funding: $100,000 and Federal Funding: $422,559 (Total Allocation: $522,559) ~ Updated 9.5.2025

Summary: Presented by: Mrs. Jennifer Caracciolo, Interim Chief of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education accept the FY 26-29 Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) Grant Award from the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and approve the District to expend the funds as awarded. State Funding: $100,000 and Federal Funding: $422,559. Total Award Amount: $522,559.
Why: On June 24, 2025, the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) announced the funding amount for the multi-year competitive grant awarded to the DeKalb County School District Adult Education and Family Literacy Program, earmarked for July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2029. The award amount includes AEFLA federal funding along with matching state funds, totaling a projected allocation of $522,559. per year. The scope of activities under the AEFLA grant include:

Adult Basic Education
English Language Acquisition services
Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education
Family Literacy

Due to the federal delay with the release of funds through the Department of Education, this item is now being introduced for consideration during the September Board meeting.
Approving AEFLA funding for the next four years will ensure continued support for critical adult education services in DeKalb County, including Adult Basic Education, English Language Services, Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education, and Family Literacy. These programs address essential literacy and language skills needed for employment, civic engagement, and family success. The program effectively serves diverse learners, including immigrants and low-literacy adults, helping them achieve educational gains and workforce readiness.
Sustained funding will allow the district to maintain strong outcomes for DCSD stakeholders and the community, expand access, and align adult education with local economic and workforce priorities. Multi-year support promotes program stability, capacity building, and community impact, ultimately contributing to individual empowerment and regional growth.
Details: This Multi-Year Grant will continue to support ABE classes at the following locations:
Cross Keys HS
Elizabeth Andrews HS (EAHS)
Goodwill of North GA
McNair HS
Sequoyah MS

Support for ESL Classes offered at:

Cross Keys HS
Elisabeth Andrews HS (EAHS)
Goodwill of North GA
Sequoyah MS

Development and Implementation of an IELCE and Workforce Development Program at:
Ethiopian Community Center of Atlanta

This grant will also continue the Integrated Education Training (IET) and Workforce Development Program, supported by internal partnerships with DCSD Operations First Choice program, CTAE, and School Nutrition, as well as external partnerships with Georgia Power Workforce Development, Goodwill of North Georgia and WorkSource DeKalb.

The Family Literacy program will provide targeted support to a cohort of 30 adult education families whose children attend DCSD schools. These activities will engage GED students and their families to improve adult literacy, enhance parenting skills and promote academic success for children. The work of the Family Literacy program is supported by the DCSD Early Learning Program, Educational Media, and the DeKalb County Public Library.
Financial impact: Community Engagement and Innovative Partnerships ~ Adult Education (510), TCSG AEFLA Federal and State Matching Grant
State: $100,000., Federal: $ 422,559.
Contact: Mrs. Jennifer Caracciolo, Interim Chief of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, 404.263.3597
Dr. Damienne Denham Shabazz, Senior Coordinator, Division of Community Engagement & Innovative Partnerships, 678.559.4591
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
    NOTICE REGARDING PROTECTIONS AGAINST RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION

Name of Organization:

Name of Program: Adult Education

Contact Information for Program Staff:

Name:

Phone number:

Email Address:

Because this program is supported in whole or in part by financial assistance from the U.S.
Department of Education, we are required to provide you the following information:

   1. We may not discriminate against you on the basis of religion, a religious belief, a refusal
      to hold a religious belief, or a refusal to attend or participate in a religious practice.

   2. We may not require you to attend or participate in any explicitly religious activities
      (including activities that involve overt religious content such as worship, religious
      instruction, or proselytization) that may be offered by our organization, and any
      participation by you in such activities must be purely voluntary.

   3. We must separate in time or location any privately funded explicitly religious activities
      (including activities that involve overt religious content such as worship, religious
      instruction, or proselytization) from activities supported with direct Federal financial
      assistance.

   4. You may report violations of these protection, including any denials of services or
      benefits by an organization, by filing a written complaint with the U.S.Department of
      Education at BeneficiaryNoticeComplaints@ed.gov.

This written notice must be given to you before you enroll in the program or receive services
from the program, unless the nature of the service provided, or exigent circumstances make it
impracticable to provide such notice before we provide the actual service. In such an instance,
this notice must be given to you at the earliest opportunity available.