This federal Project Grant award from the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (CFDA 11.032 - State Digital Equity Planning and Capacity Grant Program) provides $9,183,114.07 to the Department of Administration Services Bureau of Enterprise Systems & Technology (the awardee) to implement Connecticut's Digital Equity Plan. The key activities to be performed include:
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Launching two intensive digital navigator pilot programs in urban and rural settings to provide digital navigation services, with outcomes informing longer-term digital inclusion efforts.
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Creating six regional digital equity collaboratives to serve as planning partners, host stakeholder meetings, and develop digital navigator best practices and curriculum.
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Developing consistent digital equity curriculum covering digital literacy, online safety, digital citizenship, information literacy, and AI use.
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Providing subgrants to community-based organizations for digital navigator work through a transparent process.
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Building a searchable asset map database of resources to support digital equity (internet access, devices, training, technical support).
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Conducting cross-program evaluation to assess the effectiveness of initiatives designed to bridge the digital divide across Connecticut.
The expected outcomes include improved digital literacy and navigation skills, increased knowledge on online safety and digital citizenship, and an enhanced understanding of available digital equity resources for the state's unserved and underserved populations.
Generated 3/18/25, 4:46 AM