Digital Pathways community initiative will drive awareness about free and low-cost internet options, how to access devices, and resources to build digital literacy skills
The STEM Alliance of Westchester is teaming up with AT&T to help narrow the digital divide throughout the county with a new digital navigator program called Digital Pathways. The program brings trained, bilingual STEM Alliance digital navigators to partner sites to help clients access free or low-cost digital resources like devices, internet access and beginner tech training. The STEM Alliance digital navigators can assess and track client needs, refer them to relevant resources and follow up to make sure that all of their digital needs have been met. This first-of-its-kind countywide program is being funded by a $30,000 contribution from AT&T.
With AT&T’s support, The STEM Alliance’s Digital Pathways program will provide a range of support, including educating residents about the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) – which provides an up to $30 credit toward monthly internet or mobile service (up to $75 per month on qualifying tribal lands) to eligible households. Households typically qualify by income level or if someone in the home receives other support services like Medicaid, SNAP, Free/Reduced Lunch or a Pell Grant. ACP is part of the federal government’s $65 billion initiative to achieve universal connectivity. However, the ACP registration process can be difficult for those who do not have a computer or experience with online portals. Digital Pathways brings help directly to clients in their communities through partnerships with local nonprofits and other community agencies.
In addition to educating eligible residents on ACP, Digital Pathways uses a new platform to evaluate the needs of clients and help connect them quickly to needed digital resources. The STEM Alliance already provides many of those resources, such as their “on ramp” tech education classes that take students from being non-tech users to early-stage tech adopters in just 15 hours. Students also earn a Chromebook for their full ownership and use.
Designed to engage large numbers of eligible residents, Digital Pathways counts on county wide collaboration with community organizations, civic institutions, healthcare facilities, churches, community centers, schools, and large public events to host their navigators. Interactions start with meeting a digital navigator at a local site or event, reviewing the opportunities with the clients and helping with questions eligible residents might have as they enroll for the ACP discount. The STEM Alliance encourages any organizations interested in hosting a Digital Pathways table at an event or at a location with significant foot traffic to contact them to partner. Bringing Digital Pathways to those with need where they live is critical when narrowing the digital divide.
“The Affordable Connectivity Program is a true gamechanger for so many in our country, which is increasingly dependent on digital resources. Digital Pathways is helping to bring internet connectivity to so many who may not have been able to access it previously,” said Robin White, Director, AT&T External Affairs. “We are honored to be collaborating with The STEM Alliance to raise the awareness of the ACP initiative and help residents develop digital literacy skills. Though the program is transformational for those that participate and designed to help achieve universal connectivity, the program still has a very low adoption rate across the county and this work is aimed at addressing that.”
Programs such as Digital Pathways that utilize digital navigators have been proven to drive adoption across underrepresented communities because residents feel more comfortable and safer receiving help through locally based, partner organizations. The STEM Alliance digital navigators who reach clients through on-the-ground community partners can provide more individualized attention when discussing digital equity and digital divide needs. A recent nationwide study conducted by the Boston Consulting Group of people who have utilized a digital navigator service such as Digital Pathways revealed how vital trained digital navigators are in helping to bridge the digital divide. The study found that with the assistance of digital navigators:
- Almost half surveyed obtained better healthcare, and 40% received support with basic needs like food, rent, and housing.
- More than 65% of those in the study obtained Internet access and/or a computer/tablet at home; among Hispanic and Black Americans, this increased to 72%.
- 80% reported they are more confident/feel safer using technology.
- More than 85% said they used the Internet more frequently.
- 1 in 3 found a new job or earned a higher income.
STEM Alliance President, Margaret Käufer said, “AT&T’s support lets us increase the scale and capacity of our digital equity work. While we have served 1,000 clients since 2020, there is an urgent need to increase the reach of our services. With this generous support, we have designed an intake platform and trained staff to bring advising directly to clients in their communities – getting them support tailored to their needs: device, internet access, education or any combination of those three.”
Andrea Ruggiero, Executive Vice President of Community Health, Open Door Family Medical Centers said, “Open Door is proud of our role in narrowing the digital divide in Westchester County. We recognize how critical having connectivity, digital literacy and access to devices are for healthcare and telehealth. We encourage more community organizations to take part in this important work.”
AT&T’s support for this program is part of the company’s $2 billion nationwide commitment to help bridge the digital divide. Collaborating on the Digital Pathways project builds on AT&T’s continued support of digital equity programs in Westchester County, including working with The STEM Alliance last year to provide free digital literacy programming to underrepresented community members through its Digital Equity Now initiative, and providing 300 free wireless hotspots and free internet connectivity to students impacted by the digital divide for online learning.
