1/06/2015 NCL Policy call notes Attending: Laura Porfirio; Peter Waite; Sharon Bonney; Polly Smith; Michelle Dietrich; Michelle Bellso; Ben Davis; Michelle Diecuch; Michelle Bellso; JoAnn Weinberger; Jackie Taylor; Anne Muir Presidential Survey Many comments on the drafts, added on a response sheet, taking final comments and planning to send it out by 1/8/2016. Put it on NCL website - free to be able to adapt, make available and disseminate it. Discussion on response sheet - should we ask for position on adult literacy? Most of the questions are related to resources, and candidates would hesitate to commit to funding questions. Came down on keeping it very simple and straightforward. Key purpose is raising awareness, getting commitments would be an added plus. ProLiteracy will send to candidates and post on websites. NCL and other organizations should get it out to their networks. Explicitly designed to be shared. Should it be put on a survey platform? - ProLiteracy has Survey Monkey. Peter will look at Regina and David Rosen's suggestions. Jeff will post to NCL website and encourage people to share how they are using the materials. Appropriations follow up Good news Title II got an increase while many programs didn't. The increase was small and didn't meet authorized levels, but even so, it's worth celebrating. Budget deal is for two years, so hopefully we won't have to defend against a cut this year. Jeff will draft a thank you letter for posting to NCL. NCL could encourage members to use this thank you to send a note to their representatives 2017 and beyond appropriations Need to think strategically e.g., how to leverage the $30 mill Americorps investment. Is there a way we can advocate within those programs for more resources for our programs? Peter talked with Wendy Spencer, Corporation for National Service and made a connection with her about the NCL. Wendy's organization can't do much about lobbying, so they would appreciate working with NCL. There used to be literacy initiatives under AmeriCorps - there may be some niche opportunities. In a similar vein, perhaps there's a way to leverage the increase in Head Start funding for two-gen strategies. Caucus update Jeff will reach out to Rep Rowe and Rep Hinajosa by end of January. Seeking feedback from them on transition: Who might take Hinajosa's place when he retires? Ability to Benefit discussion Concerns about new language now in HEA via omnibus bill. Jackie has written to OCTAE for clarification; OCTAE has passed that question along to office of student aid. Will continue to look into this and report back. Anyone attending, please feel free to add amendments or clarifications.