--- Forwarded Message from "JessicaCallender" <[log in to unmask]> --- >Reply-To: "JessicaCallender" <[log in to unmask]> >From: "JessicaCallender" <[log in to unmask]> >To: "Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum" <[log in to unmask]> >References: <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Actions Requested to safeguard Federal Funding for Community Technology >Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2001 02:06:31 -0500 ------------------ > The major Federal grant program for community technology centers may, > within the next several working days, be deleted from the FY 2002 budget. > That, combined with the threated reduction in the Commerce Department's > TOP program, would signal a dramatic decline in government support for > innovative uses of technology to connect communities and opportunities for > residents of low-income communities to learn and utilize computer-related > skills. > > Until a week or so ago, it looked like the community technology center > grant program (http://www.ed.gov/offices/OVAE/CTC) would be expanded from > last fiscal year's $64.95 million up to $80 million for FY 2002, while > being shifted from the Department of Education over to HUD. > > But we've now been informed by HUD and Department of Education officials > that a Congressional appropriations subcommittee has decided not to > include any funds at all for a community technology center grant program > at HUD. > > And it appears that within the next several working days the decision > could be made to either sustain the program at the U.S. Department of > Education or to eliminate the program entirely. If the latter, that would > abruptly terminate many truly outstanding community technology programs > part way through their grants. > > If you would like to receive a fact sheet providing background and > outlining one quick action (perhaps 10 minutes of your time) that you > might take to ameliorate the situation, would you kindly send an email > message with the subject line: "Fact sheet request" to [log in to unmask] > > Since both the Bush administration and the Senate have earlier this year > supported an expansion of the community technology grant program either at > HUD or the Dep't of Education, the House/Senate conference committee may > be persuaded to continue funding grants for community technology, but that > is unlikely to happen unless they hear from citizens that equitable access > to computer-related learning opportunities in low-income communities is an > issue that continues to merit government attention. Please do drop a line > to [log in to unmask] requesting the fact sheet. > > Thanks! > The staff and Board of Directors of > Community Technology Centers' Network (CTCNet) > http://www.ctcnet.org > p.s. Please feel free to pass this message on to others who may be > interested.