Implement the washington digital equity plan developed pursuant to the state digital equity planning grant program

This federal Project Grant award from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the State Digital Equity Planning and Capacity Grant Program (CFDA 11.032) provides $15,983,291.58 to the Washington State Department of Commerce to implement the Washington Digital Equity Plan. The key activities include: developing a train-the-trainer certificate program with a peer-to-peer model for culturally relevant and accessible cybersecurity and online privacy education; conducting outreach, in-person trainings, and providing educational resources; and partnering with internet service providers to promote cybersecurity education. The expected outcomes are increased awareness of online risks, empowerment of individuals to protect against cyber threats, enhanced responsible online behavior, improved data protection, and increased media literacy to identify misinformation. The award will serve residents of Washington, particularly unserved and underserved populations, over the 5-year period from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2029. The Washington State Department of Commerce plans to subaward funds to implement the digital equity plan activities.

Purpose

The purpose of this grant is to implement the washington digital equity plan developed pursuant to the state digital equity planning grant program. Activities to the performed: the proposed project activities include: development of a train-the-trainer certificate program with a peer-to-peer model to ensure that education is provided in a culturally relevant and accessible manner for all covered populations; conducting outreach and engagement, providing in-person trainings and tools and educational resources related to online privacy and cybersecurity; partnering with internet service providers (ISPS) to promote cybersecurity education.

Expected outcomes

The proposed projects will result in: increased awareness on the risks and threats associated with online activities, enabling them to make informed decisions; empowerment of individuals to protect themselves from cyber threats, such as phishing, scams, and identity theft; enhanced responsible behavior and etiquette in online interactions, promoting a positive digital community; improved data protection; increased media literacy enabling individuals to identify "deepfakes" and online misinformation.

Intended beneficiaries

Residents of the state of washington and principally unserved and underserved covered populations statewide.

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does plan to subaward funds. The purpose is for implementing the DE plan activities.