Dalhart Grows in 2nd year of TAP
May 2009 - One year after receiving the Technical Assistance Program grant from the Texas Community Education Foundation, Sylvia Renick of Dalhart ISD continues to move her fledgling program in the right direction.
Renick applied for the $1000 grant to help the program upgrade its web presence. Receiving the grant and improving the web site accomplished "huge" benefits.
"By getting the TAP grant, it helped my legitimacy with other funding agencies," Renick said. "They could see that if the Texas community education organization was willing to put money into my program, we should too at the local level."
The grant also played a role in expanding the program beyond the city of Dalhart. After just one year, Renick is attracting significant numbers of students from the surrounding communities of Texline, Hartley, and Channing, all within 30 miles. Before, those students had to drive 90 miles one way to Amarillo to take any kind of adult classes.
Renick also noted that her class sizes have grown from an average of four up to 15 students.
Renick's program is a unique collaboration between five taxing entities: the City of Dalhart, Dalhart ISD, Dallam County, Hartley County, and the Dallam/Hartley Counties Hospital District.
"The most inspiring thing to me is that this is a way for government entities and public servants to do something visible to the people they serve," she said. "It is thrilling to have is an opportunity to show we really do work for the public."
Renick picks up state award for Dalhart
May, 2008 - Sylvia Renick of Dalhart picked up a prestigious award for the new Dalhart Community Education Program during the Texas Community Education Association (TCEA) State Conference in San Antonio at the end of April.
The Texas Community Education Association and Foundation awarded Dalhart with the Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) grant in the amount of $1000. Dalhart is eligible to receive an additional $500 the following year.
The (TCEA) Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) award program provides start-up consulting support and grants for new programs. Applications are accepted and presented throughout the year.
According to Phil Houseal, President of the Foundation, local community education programs receive no state funding in Texas. Therefore, TCEA conceived the TAP award program to help fill that unfunded need for support by new and developing projects. TAP is an attempt by the state association to "grow your own" new projects. In addition to the monetary award, TAP awards include teams of advisors assigned to assist the recipient program.
Renick plans to use the funding to help develop a web site that will allow residents to access class and program information, as well as enroll online.
The community education program is funded jointly by the City of Dalhart, Dallam County, Hartley County, the Dallam-Hartley Counties Hospital District, and the Dalhart School District, which also provides administrative support, office space, and free use of school buildings for classes.
During the first year, Renick has offered 30 classes, and this summer will offer a weeklong theater arts workshop with actors from New York.
"I am so excited about the community's response to our first year," Renick said. "We plan to grow and continue to reach more people, both children and adults."
For information on Dalhart's program, visit www.dalhartcommunityeducation.org or call Renick at 806-244-7818. For more information on Texas community education, visit www.tcea.com.
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Sylvia Renick, Coordinator of Dalhart Community Education Program, received $1000 Technical Assistance Partnership award in 2008, followed by $500 in 2009. Photo by Phil Houseal