A. Executive summary the spokane tribe of indians (stoi) is unwavering in its commitment to overcoming digital disparities prevalent within its community

While commendable progress has been achieved in recent years through various means, concerning infrastructure and digital adoption initiatives within the spokane tribal reservation, substantial challenges persist. Recent surveys underscore the severity of the issue, revealing that 18% of community members lack computer access, and 36% lack internet access. Furthermore, 29.3% of residents live below the poverty line, a rate more than double the national average. In pursuit of this mission, stoi seeks support from the ntia tribal broadband connectivity program for broadband use and adoption funds to elevate its efforts in tribal households access to digital literacy training, support in accessing telehealth and remote education programs, and supporting service funding assistance to prevent service disconnection. To address the broadband use and adoption disparities comprehensively, stoi proposes a multifaceted approach. Through the following two outlined programs, we aim to bridge the existing digital equity and literacy issues, and ensure affordability isnt the reason for the disconnection of services: program 1 stoi will hire a digital equity tribal liaison for tribal digital literacy and adoption support to enhance telehealth, distance learning, and employment opportunities stoi recognizes technology's critical role in healthcare, education, and employment within its community. Stoi has many residents on the reservation ranging in age and digital literacy. In short, our project will facilitate hiring a digital equity tribal liaison (also known as a digital navigator). This full-time contracted employee will facilitate digital equity support for tribal members and reservation households. An essential aspect of this initiative is providing robust device support and recognizing technology's pivotal role in daily life. The digital equity tribal liaison will go beyond mere outreach by actively facilitating learning and digital literacy training for devices crucial in telehealth consultations and distance learning opportunities and supporting community members in their employment endeavors. This strategic intervention is explicitly tailored to address the identified gaps in computer and internet access from within the community, ensuring that individuals have the necessary tools and know-how for full digital participation and digital literacy training from a trusted tribal resource. The liaison will initiate direct contact with eligible subscribers and invite them to engage in various methods, all at no cost to the program participants. This intervention directly