Getting Down to Basics: Service Delivery in LBS Agencies

This online guide has been developed by Community Literacy of Ontario and funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, under Employment Ontario. The guide explores the components of Literacy and Basic Skills service delivery and shares how the Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework works within the service delivery functions of:

  • Information and Referral
  • Assessment
  • Learner Plan Development
  • Training
  • Follow Up

Practitioners who are new to the literacy field and to Ontario’s Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework (OALCF) will find a wealth of information and resources in its content. It will also be useful for those more experienced practitioners as a review and as a source of sample tools and resources. This guide has been developed in a modular format for your convenience.

Introduction to the OALCF

The Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework (OALCF) is the foundational framework for the five key services (Information and Referral, Learner Plan Development, Assessment, Training, and Exit and Follow Up) delivered in Ontario’s Literacy and Basics Skills agencies. Therefore, it is important that literacy practitioners have a solid understanding of the OALCF. Experienced practitioners may want to use this chapter as a review and those new to Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) will benefit from exploring the information contained in this chapter.

Information and Referral

It is often said “first impressions last the longest”. Information and Referral service is the first exposure others have of us, so it is vital that LBS agencies have a solid understanding of this key function. This chapter provides an overview of Ontario’s Literacy and Basic Skills programs’ Information and Referral requirements, practices and tools.  Connections to the Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework have been incorporated as they occur within the various components of this important service delivery function.

Assessment

Learner assessment in Literacy and Basic Skills agencies is not just done for the benefit of the assessor. Other program staff, other education and training providers, employers, our LBS funder, and the learners themselves all have an interest in the Assessment function. This chapter explores the service delivery function of Assessment and how it guides the learner’s steps during the literacy stage of the path to their goal. It also incorporates the relationship between the Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework connection to the Assessment function components.

Learner Plan Development

LBS Learner Plans are personalized plans of action designed to help practitioners and each learner set, manage and accomplish Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) competency development goals. This chapter takes a close look at the requirements, practices and tools associated with Learner Plan Development (LPD). Literacy practitioners (experienced and new) will find information, sample tools and resources and a review of the basics.

Training

To help you meet the learning needs of participants in your LBS program, the Training chapter provides information on Ministry requirements, delivery methods, instructional strategies, learning activities and learning supports.

Exit and Follow Up

This chapter provides an overview of the Literacy and Basic Skills’ service delivery function of Follow Up. Ministry requirements, agencies’ practices and sample tools and resources are provided to support your delivery of this service.  Connections to the Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework have been incorporated as they occur within the various components of this important service function.