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The U.S. Department of Education announced the availability of the new Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 grant applications for the Early Reading First (ERF) Program in the March 3, 2009, Federal Register. An estimated total of $111,424,000 is available for grants awarded under this competition. Applications became available March 3, 2009. Other important deadlines include:
- April 2, 2009 - deadline for transmittal of pre-applications
- June 16, 2009 - deadline for transmittal of full applications (for applicants invited to submit full applications only)
- August 17, 2009 - deadline for intergovernmental review
All applicants must apply in the pre-application phase, and applicants must be invited to submit a full application. Pre- and full applications for grants under this competition must be submitted electronically using the Grants.gov site. ERF staff will be hosting two technical assistance webcasts on Tuesday, March 10, 2009: one for novice applicants and one for experienced applicants. Details will be available soon.
SLPs have the specialized knowledge and experience needed to identify communication problems and to provide the help that children need to build critical language and literacy skills. As key members of the team responsible for helping students learn to read and write, SLPs are often the first professionals to identify the root cause of reading and writing problems through a child's difficulty with language. They help children to build the skills they need to succeed in school and in life. A number of SLPs have been awarded ERF grants.
The ERF program supports local efforts to enhance the oral language, cognitive, and early reading skills of preschool-age children, especially those from low-income families, through strategies, materials, and professional development that are grounded in scientifically-based reading research. For more information on this grant competition visit ED's Web site or contact Catherine D. Clarke, ASHA's Director of Education and Regulatory Advocacy, via e-mail at cclarke@asha.org or by phone at 800-498-2071, ext. 5611.
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