In October of 2005, the Virginia Department of Social Services awarded the Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center a $3,000,000 contract to provide e-learning to qualified food stamp recipients as part of the Food Stamp Employment and Training program (FSET). The new e-learning program is called eFSET-VA.

While e-learning isn’t new, the eFSET-VA program is unique in many ways. The eFSET-VA program offers learners access to online assessments, adult education mentors, and a variety of powerful web-based educational and workplace learning modules. Learners begin the program by completing the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) assessment. With the release of TABE Online, the assessment can now be taken anywhere there is an available computer with an Internet connection.

Once initial assessments are complete, each learner is paired with an online mentor; a Virginia adult educator with experience teaching adults online. Mentors select an educational program for their learners from a variety of online learning modules, which include GED Connection, Workplace Essential Skills, GED Pathway, and KeyTrain.

EFSET-VA has agreements with over 200 computer labs across the state of Virginia to provide access to eFSET-VA learners. These locations include public libraries, adult education centers, DSS offices, and Virginia Employment Commission One Stop Centers.

The ultimate goal of the eFSET-VA program is to provide learners with the education and employment skills necessary to allow them to secure full-time jobs and end their dependence on food stamps. Participation in the eFSET-VA program can not only lead to gains in educational and workplace skills, but also to such valuable credentials as a GED or a Career Readiness Certificate.

In addition to providing FSET clients access to existing learning systems to meet their educational and workplace goals, the eFSET-VA program is also partnering with Virginia Tech and the NASA Center for Distance Learning to create online learning modules for eFSET-VA learners with low-level reading and math skills. These modules are currently under development and should be ready to be piloted in the fall of 2006.