INFORMATIONAL

  The Office of Vocational and Adult Education Services 
  announces that funds will be available for subgrants to
  community-based adult literacy organizations and local
  education agencies under the provisions of Section 353, the
  Special Projects and Teacher Training setaside, of the Adult
  Education Act. This funding opportunity is designed to
  strengthen community-based adult literacy organizations and
  their contributions to literacy in the Commonwealth.  Funds,
  totaling $425,000, will assist subgrantees in continuing and
  enhancing their work, which will ultimately strengthen
  delivery systems of the Virginia Adult Literacy and Basic
  Education Program.  Awards will range from $3,000 to $30,000
  per applicant.

  Community-based literacy organizations, individually, or in
  partnership with local education agencies, or other tax-exempt
  non-profit organization serving as fiscal agent for a
  community-based literacy organization, are eligible to
  apply.

  Competitive Grant Applications are due August 1, 1997. 
  Selected subgrant recipients will be announced August 15,
  1997, and projects will begin operation on September 2, 1997
  and end June 30, 1997.  

  The attached announcement provides more details about this
  funding opportunity.  For a copy of the complete application
  packet cited above, or to register for one of the five
  informational meetings to be held throughout Virginia in
  late June, please contact Mrs. Helen Shook at the Office of
  Vocational and Adult Education Services at 804-371-2768.  If
  you have questions regarding the nature of this subgrant or
  financial questions, please contact Ellen Shepherd, Grants
  Manager, at 804-225-2850.

  RTL:ejs

  Enclosure:   A hard copy of this memo and its enclosure
               will be sent to the superintendent's office.