Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose, pictured in the front row, second from right, proclaimed Sept. 14-20 as Adult Education and Family Literacy Week on Monday, Sept. 15, at the Warsaw Common Council meeting. Pictured with Grose are Warsaw Adult Education Director Leo Patiño, pictured in the front row, right; Warsaw Community Schools Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Tracy Horrell, pictured in the front row, second from left, the adult education staff, pictured in the front row, Warsaw Clerk-Treasurer Lynne Christiansen, pictured in the back row, left, and Council Members, pictured in the back row, left to right, Cindy Dobbins, Jack Wilhite, Josh Finch, Juergen Voss, Mike Klondaris, Jerry Frush and Diane Quance. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union.

By David Slone
Times-Union

WARSAW — Adult education is workforce development, the Warsaw Common Council heard Monday, Sept. 15, when Mayor Jeff Grose proclaimed Sept. 14-20 as Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.

Warsaw Adult Education Director Leo Patiño, members of his staff and Warsaw Community Schools Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Tracy Horrell were in attendance for the proclamation. Reading the proclamation, Grose said, in part, “Indiana’s free adult education programs are critical in building a more-informed, literate and economically resilient citizenry, addressing both social and economic disparities across the state.

“An estimated 417,501 working-age Hoosiers lack a high school diploma or equivalency credential, and over 200,000 have limited English proficiency, making adult education services essential to meeting workforce needs and empowering communities,” said Grose.

In the 2023-24 program year, Grose continued, Indiana Adult Education programs served over 25,200 adult learners, with outcomes including 4,201 HSE diplomas earned, over 2,800 career certifications awarded and 72.3% of students making measurable educational progress.

“Indiana Adult Education demonstrates a high return on investment, generating $74.6 million in economic impact from a $16.9 million state investment, with an average return of $5,000 per participant and an increase in annual earnings of $8,900 for those attaining a high school credential,” Grose read from the proclamation. “Adult education helps meet the growing demand for skilled workers in Indiana’s key sectors – including healthcare, logistics, manufacturing and skilled trades – by integrating education and workforce training to boost employability and wage growth.”

Adult Education and Family Literacy Week celebrates the perseverance of adult learners, the dedication of educators and volunteers and the power of education to change lives and strengthen the state, he said. After Grose made the proclamation, Patiño thanked Grose and the council.

“It’s a blessing to be a part of this community. It’s a blessing to be a part of Warsaw Adult Ed. Obviously, a huge thank-you to Warsaw Community Schools Assistant Superintendent Tracy Horrell here in the house. And, obviously, very, very blessed and appreciative of our staff,” Patiño said, then introduced the staff who were present with him.

“I’m super appreciative that Mayor Grose and the city of Warsaw have accepted to make this proclamation to put adult education on the forefront of all of our minds and to understand the value that adult education brings to the state of Indiana and all Hoosiers,” Patiño stated. “I think a lot of people think it’s aligned with the Department of Education, and we’re not. We’re really economic development. We’re workforce development. We’re trying to put Hoosiers in jobs and trying to create opportunities for those that are looking to see it.”

He said when it comes to upscaling training and being able to have that high school diploma, “Warsaw Adult Education, who services Fulton County and Kosciusko County, we are a leader in the state of Indiana and we are a national leader when it comes to adult education. We get to go up to bat with the big boys like Texas, California and Florida. They’ve got a lot of people out there and a lot of dollars, a lot of tax dollars, so we’re able to hang with them.”

Patiño reiterated he was super appreciative to be able to lead the adult education program and continue the already successful programs the program has been able to have. He noted they lost some funding, but that happens and he’s remaining optimistic.

“Sometimes you just roll with it, right? So, it’s an opportunity, it’s a challenge and I don’t shy away from a challenge. I take it on and I’m super blessed to be able to have a great team to share that workload with,” he concluded.

Grose said Patiño, his staff and the administration are great examples of “neighbors serving neighbors while cultivating community. He hits the mark. I’m so proud of you and your staff and your efforts to serve our community. Thank you so much.”