The B.C. government is providing Decoda Literacy Solutions with a $1 million grant to support the organization's literacy outreach programs in communities throughout British Columbia.

Education Minister Don McRae made the announcement today at a Decoda conference in Vancouver on literacy and essential skills in the B.C. labour market.

The $1 million in funding brings total grant funding to Decoda to $2.5 million from the Ministry of Education in 2012-13. This includes $500,000 provided in September for the Raise-A-Reader campaign.

The funds will be used to further support 102 community literacy task groups in B.C. These community organizations make an important contribution to the development of individual and family literacy skills through the delivery and co-ordination of literacy programs. The services many of these groups provide include employment readiness programs and essential job skills training.

Decoda Literacy Solutions is B.C.'s provincial literacy organization. In 2011, Literacy BC merged with the literacy department of 2010 Legacies Now to become Decoda Literacy Solutions. Decoda supports literacy and learning in communities throughout B.C.

Quote:

Don McRae, Minister of Education -

"Although we faced tough choices to remain fiscally responsible, I committed to working with Decoda to try and find additional funds for their co-ordination of community literacy programs."

"I believe strongly in the work they are doing and I'm very pleased that we were able to provide this grant so that Decoda can continue its important literacy outreach programs in every region of the province."

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $1.5 billion in literacy and literacy-related initiatives for British Columbia. Funding for literacy in B.C. has included:

• $20.7 million for the Community Adult Literacy Program.

• $54.5 million for StrongStart BC programs.

• $24 million for Ready, Set Learn since 2004-05.

• $25 million for innovation grants to improve literacy for students who struggle with these skills.

• $6.5 million for literacy programs in public libraries.

• In addition to the $2.5 million in funding grants from the Ministry of Education for 2012-13, Decoda has also received funding from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training ($665,442) and the Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology ($130,000).

Learn More:

BC's Education Plan: www.bcedplan.ca

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963