Civics and Citizenship Toolkit

Just in case anyone missed it on the Welcome listserv.

USCIS is working to notify all immigrant-serving organizations of the Civics and Citizenship Toolkit, a free resource with materials for ESL, civics, and citizenship classes and programs. We are proud to announce that we have distributed almost 9,000 Toolkits since launching the new version in May. Please distribute the below message, or the attached flier, to community organizations that assist immigrants aspiring to become U.S. citizens.

Civics and Citizenship Toolkit
USCIS offers a free Civics and Citizenship Toolkit to community organizations that assist immigrants aspiring to become U.S. citizens. The toolkit provides educational materials that focus on both naturalization and civics. Here is the list of eligible organizations and link to register for a Toolkit. Interested individuals or organizations that do not qualify to receive a free toolkit may purchase a copy from the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) Online Bookstore. For additional citizenship information and educational materials, be sure to visit the Citizenship Resource Center.

3 USCIS grants

The federal U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency (USCIS) is making availalbe three competitive grant funding opportunities designed to help prepare lawful permanent residents (LPRs) for citizenship and promote immigrant integration in the United States.

USCIS will offer approximately $8.5 million for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country. Applications are due by April 1, 2011. For a more detailed listing of the grants, go to http://tinyurl.com/ybac9jv.

For information and updates on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, visit www.uscis.gov/grants or contact the USCIS Office of Citizenship by phone at 202-272-1280 or by e-mail at citizenshipgrantprogram@dhs.gov.

Further, the Office of Citizenship and Office of Public Engagement invite any interested individuals to participate in a meeting on Thursday, February 3, 2011 from 1:00 to 3:00pm (EST) regarding the FY 2011 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. The purpose of this meeting is to collect questions and make clarifications, where possible, regarding the grant program application requirements and application process.

To Participate in this session -

Individuals may participate in this session by phone or in person. If you plan to participate, please email the Office of Public Engagement no later than Wednesday, February 2, 2011. Emails can be sent to public.engagement@dhs.gov. Please reference the following in the subject line of your email:

* If you plan to attend in person, please reference "Grants – In Person"

* If you plan to attend by phone, please reference "Grants -Phone"

Please also include your full name and the organization you represent in the body of the email.

Applications are due by April 1, 2011. USCIS strongly encourages applicants to visit the website well in advance of the deadline in order to obtain registration information needed to complete the application process.