Family literacy program administrators often have questions about how their family literacy programs and the Federal nutrition programs relate.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers two programs that are potentially beneficial to family literacy programs based in public housing communities. While neither of these programs acknowledge family literacy specifically as an eligible activity, one or more of the four components described in the federal definition may be considered an eligible activity.

The Federal Work Study Program provides funds to colleges and universities to employ eligible vocational, undergraduate and graduate students part-time in exchange for financial aid.

The inclusion of family literacy in the Workforce Investment Act, the Head Start Act, the Community Services Block Grant Act and the Reading Excellence Act illustrates how family literacy has been recognized as a successful strategy for helping families achieve self-sufficiency.

Over the past three decades, the nation has actively pursued reforms to improve the academic achievement of America’s children.

The 105th Congress (1997-1998) enacted legislation that gave a consistent comprehensive definition to family literacy.

With the dramatic changes to the welfare system, policy makers must consider ways to strengthen current approaches and implement new initiatives for addressing the needs of undereducated individuals in a welfare reform environment