To: National Desk

Contact: Anna Marie Johnson Teague of dawson-duncan Communications, 713-858-5423, or amteague@dawsonduncan.com ; or Brian Malina of Verizon Communications, 908-698-3930, or brian.c.malina@verizon.com

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL), the Verizon Foundation and First Lady of Iowa Christie Vilsack today announced the creation of the first national awards designed to reward programs that make it easier for parents and caregivers to understand and participate in the technology that their children use.

The Verizon Tech Savvy Awards recognize exemplary programs that demystify technology for parents and caregivers, and enable them to better guide their children in using new media.

"Many children today are digital experts, moving with ease from texting to blogging to downloading movies and music online, while many parents are novices and face significant barriers in understanding how their children communicate and learn," said Vilsack, first lady of Iowa and a Verizon Literacy Champion. "Through the NCFL/Verizon Tech Savvy Awards, we hope to provide an incentive for nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools to integrate information and communications technology literacy programming for parents into their existing curriculum."

Four $5,000 regional awards and one $25,000 national award will be presented annually at NCFL's National Conference on Family Literacy, with the first presentation in March 2007, in Orlando, Fla. The deadline for submission is Jan. 12, 2007. For a complete list of criteria and a nomination form, visit http://literacynetwork.verizon.org or http://www.famlit.org.

The announcement of the new Tech Savvy Awards program was one of several innovative initiatives unveiled today, National Family Literacy Day, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Other initiatives include:

-- Creation of the Verizon Literacy Network (VLN)

-- Unveiling of the Verizon Life Span Literacy Matrix, which will guide literacy instructors and learners as they implement research-based practices to achieve measurable outcomes in lifelong literacy and learning.

Verizon's new literacy portal -- the Verizon Literacy Network (VLN) at http://literacynetwork.verizon.org -- is a free, online resource that leverages technology to deliver needed and valued training and information to anyone interested in improving literacy -- at home, in the classroom or in the community. The content is developed and approved by NCFL, ProLiteracy America and other noted literacy organizations and experts.

"Technology is more than a tool for literacy improvement; it is the new literacy -- changing the way we learn, live and work. This is evident in the design of the Verizon Literacy Network, which not only offers rich resources in online training and information, but also enables greater information technology literacy for teachers, program directors, students and volunteers. The Verizon Literacy Network embodies Verizon's goal to advance technology that touches life," said Kathryn C. Brown, senior vice president, policy development and corporate responsibility for Verizon Communications.

The new VLN also introduces the Verizon Life Span Literacy Matrix -- an innovation that translates research into practice and promotes measurable outcomes in lifelong literacy and learning. The Verizon Life Span Matrix identifies relevant literacy outcomes, appropriate measures for those outcomes and effective research-based practices that allow programs and individuals to increase lifelong literacy and learning. It was developed by NCFL, in collaboration with the American Library Association, Georgetown University, the National Coalition for Literacy, ProLiteracy America and Verizon Foundation.

"The focus in literacy must be on the lifespan. We must address the requirements of literacy for the 21st Century at each stage of development, knowing that people must not only achieve the basics but continue lifelong learning in order to participate and be productive in an environment that requires greater skills than ever before in history," said Sharon Darling, president and founder of NCFL.

"The Verizon Life Span Literacy Matrix is the first look at outcomes needed at each stage of development, how these outcomes are commonly measured and how the outcomes can be successfully achieved through evidence-based practices and strategies that programs and individuals can implement. It's a resource that can have a dramatic impact for literacy providers, families and communities."

The Verizon Literacy Network is a comprehensive resource with research-based applications, including:

-- Best practices, lesson plans and online courses for literacy instructors, community-based organizations, students and volunteers

-- Courses specific to English as a Second Language (ESL) learners

-- "How to" instruction on everything from program development and measurement to volunteer recruiting and management

-- Qualified databases for organizations needing volunteers or volunteers looking for a good cause

"Our work with NCFL and ProLiteracy has reinforced our long- held belief that we must find innovative ways to distribute proven practices and instructional resources at the grassroots level," said Patrick Gaston, president of the Verizon Foundation. "These initiatives introduced today -- from the best practices that will be recognized through the Tech Savvy Awards to the robust resources of the VLN -- are powerful tools to do just that."

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About National Center for Family Literacy

The National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) is the worldwide leader in family literacy, an intergenerational approach to help families escape poverty through education. More than 1 million families have made positive educational and economic gains as a result of NCFL's work, which includes training more than 150,000 teachers and thousands of volunteers. Educators, policymakers and philanthropists rely on NCFL to mobilize family literacy efforts, conduct research and develop new, effective tools to leverage the learning relationship between parents and children. Family literacy, pioneered by NCFL, is a powerful community strategy for raising educational levels, improving workforce skills and breaking the cycle of poverty. Call 877-FAMLIT-1 (877-326-5481) or visit http://www.famlit.org to learn more, make a donation, locate a literacy program in the area or find out how to become a volunteer.

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About ProLiteracy Worldwide / ProLiteracy America

ProLiteracy Worldwide is a nonprofit international literacy organization based in Syracuse, N.Y., that was formed by the 2002 merger of Laubach Literacy International and Literacy Volunteers of America Inc. ProLiteracy Worldwide is now the oldest and largest nongovernmental literacy organization in the world and pursues a mission of sponsoring educational programs that help adults and their families acquire the literacy practices and skills they need to function more effectively in their daily lives. ProLiteracy America, the U.S. Programs Division of ProLiteracy Worldwide, represents 1,200 community-based volunteer and adult basic education affiliates in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. ProLiteracy America provides accreditation, advocacy and technical assistance as well as program and professional development services. In addition, its affiliates benefit from an annual conference and a menu of regional trainings.

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About the Verizon Foundation

Verizon delivers technology that touches life. The Verizon Foundation uses that technology and the foundation's financial resources to improve literacy and K-12 education; to support victims of domestic violence; and improve the delivery of health care. In 2005, the foundation awarded more than $74 million in grants to charitable and nonprofit agencies in the United States and abroad. The foundation also supports Verizon Volunteers, which is one of the largest employee volunteer programs in the United States and responsible for 2 million hours of community service since 2000 and $35.6 million in combined contributions to nonprofits in 2005 alone. For more information on the foundation, visit http://www.verizon.com/foundation.

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About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ - news), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 57 million customers nationwide. Verizon Business operates one of the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks. Verizon Telecom is deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services to customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of approximately 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com.

Verizon's Online News Center: Verizon news releases; executive speeches and biographies; media contacts; high quality video and images; and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at http://www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

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/© 2006 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/

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