The Illinois Migrant Council, Chicago, IL implements the Harvesting Opportunities for Literacy and Achievement (HOLA) Migrant Education Even Start (MEES) Project.
HOLA MEES provides year-round services for families whose homes are located in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas and Guanajuato, Mexico as well as in Illinois, where they travel to perform seasonal agricultural work.
Collaborating partners include four Illinois LEAs (Cobden, Kankakee, Rantoul, and Mendota), the Illinois Migrant Education Program, Illinois Department of Human Services, Illinois Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Program, Illinois State Board of Education, Community Health Partnership of Illinois, LEA partners across project sites in Illinois and Texas, as well as cooperating with the Ministry of Education in Mexico and its community education sites.
The project works with 55 - 65 families that participate in all Even Start educational components (ESL/ABE-GED, ECE, Interactive Literacy Activities, and Parenting Education) throughout the cycle of their migratory agricultural work.
The Department of Education ensures equal access to education and promotes educational excellence through coordination, management and accountability in Federal education programs. The Department works to supplement and complement educational efforts on all levels, encouraging increased involvement by the public, parents and students.
Approximately 10 projects are currently operating.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funds are used for activities such as recruitment and screening of children and parents, design of programs, instruction for children and parents, staff training, support services, evaluation, and coordination with other programs.