Friday, January 8, 2010

Tutoring Services Offered at Local Homeless Shelters

The Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) Youth Development Services (YDS) partners with Shelter Inc. to provide on-site tutoring at local shelters and transitional housing facilities. Through a grant funded by Shelter Inc., YDS provides tutors to work with both children and adults staying at the Mt. View House Interim Shelter in Martinez and the Lyle Morris Family Center in Antioch.

School-aged clients are pre and post-tested in both math and reading to track student progress and to monitor the effectiveness of the services being provided. Tutors assist students with their homework and help students improve academic skills. Students have showed significant improvement in test scores in school and greater success completing homework assignments. (The tutor pictured is Gianna Sacco-Alexander, SMH Teacher,
CCCOE East County Student Programs.) Tutoring Kids group

The adult clients who receive tutoring are assisted with math and literacy skills, GED preparation, college or vocational training assignments, job readiness, and employment skills. English language learners also receive assistance. Outcomes include mastery of basic computer skills, development of a professional resumé, improved interview techniques, and successful completion of their GED and job placement.
Tutoring supplies and educational materials are also provided to the shelters through CCCOE's Youth Development Homeless Program (funded through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act).

Read more in the Contra Costa Times.