PASELA was initiated in January 2006 by the Literacy through the Arts Council, a local council of educators, parents, artists, and community members collaborating to create a culture in Southside Bethlehem where the arts are an integral part of preschool children's lives and literacy learning experiences resulting in future school success.

A federal grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services is committed to fund the PASELA project through February 2007. The Local Council is Grantee for the funds.

Responsibilities include:

Management & Evaluation

Program Implementation

Oversight for Professional Development of Educators & Artists

Grant Management Reporting

Classroom Mentoring & Monitoring

Community Engagement