Although it has taken years to create the digital divide, COVID-19’s shelter in place highlighted how large this gap truly is. The fast switch to an all-virtual world underscored the importance of internet access for all as zero availability in rural communities and urban internet deserts left families without access to education, health care and other critical resources. In May 2020, the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) community assessment found that 21% of those surveyed in the Central Valley had no internet at home and 54% had no email address. Based on the community assessment data, 25% of Fresno County households were completely isolated and top concerns included access to food, losing a job, educating my student and access to health care.
Community-Based Organization Partners
- Parent Institute for Quality Education
- Reading and Beyond
- Every Neighborhood Partnership
- West Fresno Family Resource Center
- Cultiva la Salud
- GO Public Schools
- Central Valley Children’s Services Network
- Youth Leadership Institute
- Centro la Familia
- Westside Family Preservation Center
- Community Media Access Collaborative
What We’ve Learned
The CBOs have learned that trust and relationships are key ingredients in this work. Because they are trusted messengers within the communities they serve and have gained valuable experience over the past months. Key elements to successful digital inclusion efforts include:
- Holistic Support
- Create Safe, Trusting Environments
- Focus on Connectivity, Hardware, Digital Skills, Knowledge
- Language, Literacy, Culture are Important
- Peer to Peer Learning and Support is Effective
- Various types of incentives can be utilized
- Parents and residents most want to know:
- How to access their child’s school portal(s)
- How to use email
- How to use video technology for meetings and telemedicine
- How to trouble-shoot issues with their child’s device or homework
- How to look for a job online