Collective Action to Leverage Funding Opportunities Under ARPA and IIJA

 

Meeting IV

 

Today's

Agenda

Please post questions and comments in the chat!

MassBroadband Institute Presentation

Community Exchange Waterfall

Welcome and Meeting Goals

Community Tech Initiatives (CTNY) Presentation

Regional Coalition Breakout Groups

Next Steps

Meeting Goals

Highlight the ongoing work on partners in the region and beyond

Discuss and Prepare partners for release of ARPA and IIJA funds

Get your ideas on how to make the most from of this funding

MassBroadband Institute

ARP Allocations

 

Source: Brookings Institute

https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-american-rescue-plan-is-the-broadband-down-payment-the-country-needs/

ARP Allocations MA

50

3.4

million

Legislature passed a bill that establishes Digital Equity Broadband Adoption Program with ARPA funds, which the Mass Broadband Institute will admister.

billion

total allocated to Massachusetts county and municipal governments from the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFRF)  

*Final Rules By: May 14th

*States will need to apply for a portion of this funding

NTIA Webinar

Process + Discussion

 Community Tech Initiatives (CTNY)

Who's Job is it to Solve the Digital Divide?

Planners

Libraries

School Districts

IT Directors

Housing Authorities

Healthcare Providers

Workforce Boards

Community Based Organizations

Elected Officials

Private Sector

The State???

VICE: Meet the People Building Their Own Internet in Detroit

 Breakout Groups

Breakout Rooms Activity

Goal: Gather a list of project ideas that can be funded with upcoming Federal and State funds.

Activity

Divide into four breakout room (~10 people each)

Brainstorm of ideas on Jamboard

Prompt: What would you spend the ARPA/IIJA Funds on?

Individual share out. 

5 Min

10 Min

Prompt: Our breakout room will be seeding a "bracket" of project ideas. What one idea do you think should be make the list?

 

Help Us Help You!

What digital equity work have you been up to lately (from Zoom chat)

A.J. Cote:

MA DESE is currently in the drafting stage of a guide in conjunction with the Learning Accelerator. The MA EdTech Systems Guide will support the equitable selection, implementation, and evaluation of edtech in K12 systems. Publication date mid-April.

Matt Frank, CHA:

We are working with MAPC to create a wifi zone at one of our sites and we are moving along and almost there. We will have access for wifi for all the residents at one our sites that hopefully will act as a pilot to expand to other sites and parts of the city

Jackie Gantzer:

We’ve also been studying digital equity across access, skills, and learning experiences - and inequities that exist across all domains. Trying to make sure we don’t stop at access when discussing inequities in K12. https://practices.learningaccelerator.org/guides/digital-equity/introduction

Trey Walsh MNWB:

Digital Navigator Program in the cities of Revere, Everett, and Malden with training from the national digital inclusion alliance -- starting end of this month! 15 low income young adults will serve their community  through youthworks paid employment through light tech support (internet access, social media login, affordable broadband support, etc)

Melora Rush, MassHire Metro North:

In the past year, our Work to THRIVE initiative provided digital access (free ChromeBooks/Mobile Hotspots w 12 mo internet) to 85+ students in ESOL./Adult Basic Education Programs in the communities of Chelsea, Everett and Malden.

Laura Mueller-Soppart:

Here at Centri Tech Foundation, we are working with MAPC and a few other orgs around the country, to support new digital skills programming to complement their digital access work. We are also soon launching a Digital Advancement Muni Index ranking 300+ cities on their technology investments and overall prosperity outcomes. Coming soon!

Lydia Agro/BHA:

BHA is partnered with city/BPL to distribute free wifi routers and chromebooks to residents, with TechGoesHome and other partners to provide TGH classes at some public housing sites, doing inside wiring to expand wicked free wifi to indoor common area spaces, working with MAPC on neighborhood ideas, etc.

 

What digital equity work have you been up to lately (from Zoom chat) continued:

Virginia Benzan MLRI:

ACP Informational session  https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYlceyvpjktHdcE5Bf1ZwNciZ0rC3h3ElIU

James Fuccione, MHAC:

We have convened a "technology learning collaborative on healthy aging" with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to promote strategies to connect older adults across the state with broadband access, devices, skill-building and awareness.

Michael Rousseau | he/him | Urban Edge:

Working with MAPC, looking to bring wi-fi zone to a neighborhood within Roxbury. Have done a community needs assessment, looked at exiting conditions, and now onto evaluating the current infrastructure and technology in the neighborhood. More to come too!

Virginia Benzan MLRI:

"The ABCs of the ACP" on the Affordable Connectivity Program on Thursday, March 17th at 10:00 - 11:00am via Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYlceyvpjktHdcE5Bf1ZwNciZ0rC3h3ElIU

Virginia Benzan MLRI:

You can also find information at masslegalhelp.org/acp

Paul Matthews /WRRB:

Worcester Region Research Bureau - we did a report on broadband access in 2020 and are finishing a follow up using multi year ACS data including 2020

Ryan Kelly (MAPC):

NTIA webinar on IIJA details: https://nextcenturycities.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2.22.22-NTIA-NCC-Conversation.mp4