Many of us are constantly looking at our phones or laptops. But there are also many people who are not as comfortable with technology – such as older adults, people with disabilities, and people from low-income communities. These are millions of people who do not have the skills to fully participate in modern life.
The issue is so important that the federal government has given California $70 million to set up digital skills courses and other resources across the state, with at least two more rounds of funding planned through 2026.
On Wednesday, the state received the money to carry out its 200-page plan to bridge the digital divide. The next step is to figure out how to distribute the money across the state. There aren’t many places other than schools and libraries where people can go to learn how to navigate the internet better, so a whole new range of services needs to be created.
The California Department of Technology, which is responsible for administering the so-called Digital Equity Capacity grant, said most of the money will likely be used to help local groups and coalitions provide equipment, digital skills courses and other resources.
It is expected that organizations will be able to apply for funds by the end of the year.
But first, citizens will have the opportunity to comment on how officials should divide the money.
“It’s important for us to think outside the box, so to speak, and meet people where they are,” says Scott Adams, deputy director of the CDT’s Office of Broadband and Digital Literacy.
He said the state is still in the process of developing a draft policy that can be presented to the public.
The funding framework will be put out to the public for comment around the end of September or beginning of October, and meetings will be held to gather feedback.
This is how the money is divided
The state plans to split its $70 million grant fund three ways: The first is for “centralized services” such as a digital skills assessment and training platform that could be used by local groups and government agencies. Adams said his agency will also fund existing or new state digital inclusion programs.
However, the majority of the funding will go to a sub-program to promote digital equity, to be implemented by local groups and coalitions, although the exact amount has not been publicly disclosed.
The state is also encouraging groups to appoint a lead applicant per geographic area. In the Los Angeles area, that will be Rebecca Kauma, digital equity director for the county’s Department of Internal Services.
As part of her work with the LA County Intergovernmental Broadband Coordinating Committee (IBCC), she applies for capacity grants on behalf of local groups. The coalition has about 40 members, including the LA Digital Action League, the nonprofit Human-IT, Cal State Dominguez Hills and others.
“We’ve all been connecting and supporting each other to share best practices and resources,” Kauma said. “And while this bid is competitive, it’s important for us to understand that each of us is being allocated resources to do great work and that there is a strong and unified voice in the digital equity space.”
Closing gaps
As much as it sounds, $70 million will not be enough to meet the needs in a populous state like California.
So in July, the federal government launched a separate but complementary program to fill these gaps, with groups turning directly to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration rather than the state government for help.
The fund is called the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Fund. Local and regional groups can apply for grants ranging from $5 million to $12 million until September 23. (You’ll learn more about this in one of the next stories.)
Kauma is also leading the region’s application for that fund. During a recent CDT webinar, she stressed to officials that she needs enough time to organize both applications on behalf of more than 20 local partners, many of whom require city council approval to participate.
“It requires a lot, and I do it as a one-woman team, trying to serve our partners in the best way possible. Any flexibility you can offer to those who take on this role would be greatly appreciated,” Kauma said.
In addition, it is organizing a virtual workshop this fall to make it easier for people to provide public comment on how the state will allocate money from its capacity grant.
Estefania Zavala, Digital Equity and Economic Inclusion Commissioner for the City of Long Beach, said her team is “very excited to work” with local groups, educational institutions and other digital inclusion advocates to apply for the sub-grant funding. Long Beach is also applying for a competitive grant through LA County.
CDT Deputy Director Adams said they plan to “disburse all funding in 2025, but there are still a few steps to be taken” before they can set exact dates.
How does your community experience the digital divide?
It’s hard to get around Los Angeles without a smartphone or Wi-Fi access, but thousands of people in LA don’t have access to this basic technology.
