Every Citizen Online (SM)

Connected Nation’s Every Citizen Online (ECO) is a community program designed to address demand side realities in a manner that respects communities and empowers vulnerable populations in the age of technology. Every Citizen Online is committed to enhancing excellence in families and enabling individuals to improve their lives through technological exposure. Joining together public and private partners, the program helps vulnerable populations overcome top barriers to technology adoption such as lack of broadband awareness, technology training, computer ownership, and subscription affordability. ECO has several programs that are operational in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio including No Child Left Offline, Computers 4 Kids, Connect Equestrian View, and Connected Corps.

Tennessee

Computers 4 Kids (C4K) is an ECO initiative designed to leverage technology for the benefit of vulnerable children in Tennessee.  C4K is putting brand new computers into the hands of children in the foster care system and in households facing economic challenges.  In addition to household computers, C4K is also providing computers and other technologies to non-profit organizations that work to enhance the lives of vulnerable students and families in their area.  With the computer labs, these non-profit groups are able to offer programs that teach, serve, and impact youth in Tennessee.

Program Facts:

• To date, C4K has provided over 2,100 computers to vulnerable children and families across Tennessee.

• C4K is working with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services to provide computers to children in the foster care system.  Described as “a helping hand, not a handout,” C4K targets high school-aged children recommended by their case managers based on specified behavioral and academic expectations.

• The program has also provided computers to families who have successfully completed The Department of Human Services Families First Program – a short-term assistance program for families experiencing financial difficulties.  These computers assisted families as they got back on their feet and began job searching, learning basic computing skills, and participating in the economic and civic opportunities presented by the Internet.

• In October 2009, the Northeast Tennessee Technology Council recognized C4K with a “Community Service” award for commitment of time and resources to improve the community through technology. 

• The program recently received $2.3 million in federal funding to provide computers and technology training to youth “aging out” of the foster care system and in Boys & Girls Clubs across Tennessee.

Kentucky

Computers 4 Kids (previously known as No Child Left Offline (NCLO)) began in 2005 as a computer refurbishing program that was developed as part of the Kentucky Prescription for Innovation, a comprehensive effort to drive economic development through broadband technology. The partnership between Kentucky’s Finance and Administration Cabinet, Kentucky Correctional Industries, and ConnectKentucky refurbished state surplus computers and placed them in the homes of families on the Free and Reduced Lunch Program in economically distressed counties of Kentucky.  The program ensured that thousands of state computers were saved from landfills and refurbished for the benefit of families.  The program has expanded to include the distribution of brand new computers to community anchor organizations (such as community centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs, and libraries) to support them as they provide services to vulnerable populations.

Program Facts:

• To date, C4K has provided over 3,100 computers to vulnerable children and families across Kentucky.

• C4K received funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to distribute over 2,500 computers to middle school students on the Free and Reduced Lunch Program in about 20 Distressed ARC counties. These distributions were coupled with awareness events. 

• The program has distributed computers to over 30 community anchor institutions in Kentucky.  These organizations provide afterschool programming for vulnerable students and their families. 

• Computers 4 Kids leveraged over $2.6 million in cash and in-kind contributions from organizations including Microsoft Corporation, Lexmark International, CA International, American Electric Power Foundation, Environmental Protection Cabinet, Duke Energy, AT&T Foundation, Louisville Metro Council, Hilliard Lyons, Appalachian Regional Commission, University of Louisville, Morehead State University, and iKeepSafe.

• Recognizing the progressive vision of Computers 4 Kids, the Southern Growth Policy Board (SGPB) awarded ConnectKentucky with its 2006 Innovator Award, citing C4K as an innovative initiative that empowered Kentucky families, one household at a time.

Connect Equestrian View is a two-year ECO project launched in Lexington in January 2010 to equip new residents in the Hope VI Equestrian View neighborhood with technology resources and provide them with technology training.  Working with the Lexington Housing Authority (LHA), ConnectKentucky developed the technology inclusion programs for the residents to effectuate digital inclusion and sustainable support from community anchor organizations operating in the Lexington.  These organizations include include the Lexington Public Library and the William Wells Community Center.

Under this program, each participant receives the following:

• Brand new laptop

• Up to 24 months of broadband connectivity

• Basic computer set-up and operations training

• Advanced technology training courses on topics such as cybersecurity, social networking, cybersafety, e-business development, teleworking, and advanced use of MS Office Suite software.

Ohio

Connect Ohio is currently implementing a statewide broadband training program, Every Citizen Online (ECO), in order to increase sustainable broadband adoption in Ohio. The project provides free computer training sessions at public libraries and community colleges throughout Ohio and will introduce new users how to access the internet and how to best utilize all the internet has to offer.

The goal of the project is to showcase the many educational, healthcare, economic, and communication benefits of broadband use, and to encourage adoption by residents statewide. Currently, just 66% of Ohioans subscribe to a broadband service at their home.

The scope of this program includes:

• 80,000 training hours

• 300+ locations

• 200,000 non-subscribing household participants

• 75,000 incremental adopters

• 2,000+ computers provided to libraries and community colleges

• 450,000 total patrons served

• $10 million project with $3 million matching funds

• 136 total jobs direct, indirect, and induced

• 68 direct job-years

• 4.2 million households reached 60 times each month through a statewide advertising campaign

• $31 million in incremental annual subscription revenue for broadband