TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR IMPROVEMENT OF VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS.

SEC. 602. TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR IMPROVEMENT OF VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS. Section 123 (42 U.S.C. 4993) is amended— (1) by adding “(a)” after the section designation; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: “(b) (1) The Director shall provide assistance for identification, development, and dissemination of effective literacy materials and programs by grant or contract to public and private nonprofit organizations whose principal purpose is combatting of illiteracy and its associated problems. “(2) The Director shall consult with and annually submit summaries of exemplary projects based on project reports to the national clearinghouse on literacy education, as designated under section 372(d)(2) of the Adult Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1211a(d)(2)). “(3) The emphasis for the grants or contracts under paragraph (1) shall be— “(A) broadly disseminating information relating to training and technical assistance for the use of volunteers in projects or programs providing literary services in poor urban and rural areas, including English language literacy services for individuals with limited English proficiency; or “(B) developing new and innovative solutions to illiteracy problems that involve the more effective and extensive use of volunteers in such projects or programs.”.