Program Support
Digital Inclusion State Support
State governments are essential partners for closing the nation’s digital divides and ensuring their citizens have access to affordable, robust broadband internet service and internet-enabled devices, digital literacy training, and technical support they need to benefit from the opportunities the internet promises. In recent years, states, territories, the District of Columbia, and Tribal governments have taken a leading role in designing and spurring the development of sustainable, resilient, and robust digital inclusion ecosystems that address the unique needs of their residents. This moment is unique in that it is the first—and possibly the only time—every state, US territory, and District of Columbia simultaneously developed digital equity/opportunity plans. Achieving digital equity is a valuable goal that would represent a significant success if accomplished through these plans.
States are uniquely positioned to lead cross-sector, cross-departmental, multi-faceted digital inclusion activities impacting the entire state. The state’s knowledge, coordination, convening ability, and expertise, combined with its relationships with local governments and citizens, provide a unique opportunity for a leadership role in promoting and expanding digital equity.
States are uniquely positioned to lead cross-sector, cross-departmental, multi-faceted digital inclusion activities impacting the entire state. The state’s knowledge, coordination, convening ability, and expertise, combined with its relationships with local governments and citizens, provide a unique opportunity for a leadership role in promoting and expanding digital equity.
What Are States Up To?
Congress and NTIA outlined specifics for states to include in their digital equity/opportunity plans. Now that states have robust, comprehensive plans, they are focusing on implementing them and providing community programs to close the digital divide.
NDIA is excited to see a range of innovative implementation strategies in the state plans. Some of these strategies include partnering with trusted community-based organizations and anchor institutions to enhance access to new digital skills training and support, which include privacy, security, and safety. Additionally, some states plan to support statewide digital navigator programs, facilitate a network for refurbishing and distributing devices across the state, and create strategies to help community members access affordable broadband. Plans also include sustainability strategies to support a digital inclusion ecosystem by creating and nurturing coalitions, providing professional development for digital equity, and measuring and evaluating programs.
State Spotlights
As part of its planning efforts, the State of Ohio created its five Regional Digital Inclusion Alliances. Local and regional organizations, including the Toledo Lucas County Public Library in the Northwest, the Cleveland Foundation in the Northeast, Smart Columbus in the Central region, The United Way of Greater Cincinnati in the Southwest, and Buckeye Hills Regional Council in the Southeast, lead these Alliances. Each of these organizations used existing relationships within their communities to perform 32 in-person listening sessions, six virtual listening sessions, 20 stakeholder interviews, and ten community pop-up events across the state. These regional and local organizations will be instrumental in the implementation and sustainability of digital inclusion efforts during the implementation of Ohio’s plan.
North Carolina’s Division of Broadband and Digital Equity within the State’s Department of Information Technology leveraged ARPA funds to establish a digital equity grant program. It was one grant with two phases, different eligibility requirements, and award ranges for each. The eligible activities were the same for each phase, but the eligible applicants differed. The grants were designed to get funds out the door quickly, align with the forthcoming DEA requirements and state digital equity plan, build capacity, and further develop its digital inclusion ecosystem. North Carolina’s hybrid approach is unique.
Eligible applicants were required to develop or expand digital equity programming and address at least one of the following elements of digital inclusion:
- Affordability of reliable, high-speed internet
- Internet-enabled devices (computers, laptops, etc.) that meet users’ needs
- Access to digital literacy and skills training
- Quality technical support
- Applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration.
The Maryland Department of Labor’s Digital Literacy Framework for Adult Learners and Instructor Implementation Guide offers guidance to community and state organizations providing workforce development instruction. The Instructor implementation guide acts as a curriculum for teaching classes or small groups on the material.
How Does NDIA Support States?
NDIA supports states’ digital equity efforts by hosting a twice-monthly state cohort call, facilitating webinars and workshops, and providing broad and general technical assistance and advising services to states. NDIA has also collaborated with Microsoft and AARP to provide resources to support states in creating and implementing digital equity plans.
