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The City of Portland, Oregon

Office for Community Technology

Broadband & Communications Policy, Cable Regulation & Consumer Protection and Utility Franchises, Licenses & Wireless

Phone: 503-823-5385

111 SW Columbia St, Suite 600, Portland, OR 97201

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The groundwork to build out DEAP design and implementation

To date, OCT, the County/Library and the DIN have:

Defined roles and responsibilities for Lead, Lead Partner and Supporting Partner.

LEAD: The City of Portland Office for Community Technology (OCT) and Multnomah County/Library are tasked with overseeing implementation of and fostering community participation in the DEAP. As such, OCT and the County/Library are the ‘backbone’ organizations to this collective effort and are responsible for marshalling partnerships and resources, identifying common success measure data points and reporting progress to the Portland City Council and County Commission. Starting in FY16-17, the City hired a Digital Equity Program Coordinator and the County/Library provides staff and other resources to accomplish their lead roles in the DEAP.

LEAD PARTNER: The Lead Partner(s) is responsible for implementing the strategic action project(s), conducting success measure data gathering, sharing lessons learned, reporting out and showcasing project accomplishments.

SUPPORTING PARTNERS: Supporting Partners provide resource support, conduct outreach and build awareness, help engage residents in the project, and assist with success measure data gathering.

Secured Lead Partner commitment to implement projects for each of the 17 strategic actions

9 Lead Partner organizations have committed to develop and implement projects, conduct impact measure data gathering, and share learnings. Lead Partners include: Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission, OCT, Citizens Utility Board, Free Geek, Home Forward, Multnomah County Library, Worksystems, Portland Public School District, and the DIN.

Identified key questions and related data collection methods to gauge progress and impact of the DEAP across all projects and activities.

Key Questions:

Are we reaching target populations through project activities?

Have we identified promising/effective activities for addressing the digital divide?

How has the DEAP empowered organizations to build capacity to address the digital divide?

Data Collection:

  • Demographics of the people served/ engaged/ participating in a project.

  • Promising/effective activities identified in accordance with DEAP Criteria.

  • Capacity building results as reported by organizations.

* Lead Partners have committed to collecting this data along with other project-specific assessment metrics.

Defined ‘target populations’, and criteria for identifying ‘promising/effective activities’ and ‘capacity building’.

Target Populations include: Low income individuals and families; Older adults; People of color; People with disabilities; People with limited English proficiency

DEAP Criteria for identifying Promising/Effective Activities:

To be considered promising, the activities should:

  • Engage the target population in the activity design/planning/assessment

  • Be designed based on best practices/research

  • Provide informative feedback to practitioners about the learning progress of the target population

  • Allow for target population learners to self-assess progress

To be considered effective over time, the activities should:

  • Reach the target population

  • Be potentially transferable and scalable to other target populations

  • Indicate evidence of reducing the digital divide for a target population

Capacity Building:

As a result of the DEAP, did the organization:

  • form new partnerships?

  • improve its ability to meet client needs?

  • refocus resources or identify new resources?

  • expand services / client base?

  • place greater priority on this work?

Developed projects under each of the 17 Strategic Action areas.

"In-progress" - action planning in progress

"On-track" - the action is underway with engaged partners and specific activities on track

GOAL

Strategic Action

Lead Partner

Status

Goal 1: Access: Ensure access to   affordable high-speed internet and devices for those in need.

1.1 Leverage the network shared by public institutions to extend free Wi­Fi service into low-income neighborhoods.

Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission

In progress

1.2 Leverage City/County assets and regulatory authority to incent broadband providers to expand low-cost   internet access.

Office for Community Technology

In progress

1.3 Create (or locate) web-based inventory of broadband service options (searchable by address) that identifies lowest-­cost options for residents.

Citizens’ Utility Board

In progress

1.4 Expand participation of business, government and residents in computer recycling programs that repurpose devices for use by low-income residents.

Free Geek

On track

1.5 Design and implement an affordable housing digital equity pilot project.

Home Forward

On track

1.6 Design and implement a digital equity pilot project for the homeless community.

Multnomah County Library

In progress

Goal 2: Support and training: Provide   training and support to ensure that everyone has the skills to use digital   technology to enhance their quality of life.

2.1 Create and maintain a searchable, web­based database of digital inclusion programs, services, activities and training tools for use by community organizations.

Multnomah County Library

On track

2.2 Compile connectivity data at Affordable Housing units.

Home Forward

On track

2.3 Expand availability of culturally specific digital literacy curriculum.

Multnomah County Library, Free Geek

In progress

Goal 3: Leadership and capacity   building: Empower community partners to bridge the digital divide through   funding, coordination, training and staff resources.

3.1 Strengthen the Digital Inclusion Network (DIN) as a diverse, countywide, community­-based work group to guide, advocate for and support DEAP implementation.

Multnomah County Library, Office for   Community Technology

In progress

3.2 Convene an annual digital inclusion summit to provide an update on DEAP implementation, share   learnings, network and recognize good work.

Multnomah County Library, Citizens’   Utility Board

In Progress

3.3 Expand public and private funding for digital equity focused projects.

Office for Community Technology

Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission

In Progress

 

On track

Goal 4: Connecting to the digital economy:   Create opportunities for jobs in the digital economy for underserved   populations.

4.1 Support initiatives to assist people from underrepresented populations to prepare for, find and create jobs in the technology economy.

Worksystems

Free Geek

In Progress

On track

4.2 Support STEAM initiatives for K–12 students.

Portland Public Schools

In progress

Goal 5: Policy: Build a policy   framework that supports digital equity and meaningful internet adoption,   leading to better community outcomes.

5.1 Develop a strategy for funding internet services, devices and training in affordable housing projects.

Home Forward

In progress

5.2 Engage business, community, neighborhood and government leaders to take action on DEAP implementation.

Digital Inclusion Network

In progress

5.3 Develop a digital equity lens for public officials to use when updating or creating public policy.

Multnomah County Library

In progress

*For detailed project descriptions visit here.