Dear Digital Equity Champion:
The mission of California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) to close the Digital Divide remains vital for students beginning their school year, older adults wanting access to telehealth care from the comfort of home, job seekers looking for opportunities, and millions of other Californian’s in need of affordable home Internet.
We pursue our mission with a sense of urgency because those households stuck on the wrong side of the Digital Divide are being left behind at an accelerating pace, which not only causes distinct disadvantages for educational and economic opportunities for residents, but also puts at risk their public safety.
The sober reality of how far we still have to go comes on the heels of exciting progress:
- Digital Equity Bill of Rights, Assembly Bill 414 (AB414), continues to move through the Legislature, having passed the Senate floor and now to the Governor’s desk — where we urge you to take action for Digital Equity today.
- Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) enrollment rate has exceeded 42% — that’s more than 2 million of eligible California households enrolled.
- New findings are revealed from a PEW Charitable Trusts study in collaboration with the University of Southern California, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Research Network on International Communications (USC ARNIC) on Measuring the Effectiveness of Digital Inclusion Approaches (MEDIA).
- Montebello Unified School District Board of Trustees welcomes a new partnership with School2Home.
- California leaders are serious about their commitment to Digital Equity in the community and we have important messages from the California Department of Technology Broadband For All Task Force, California State Association of Counties (CSAC) President and Riverside County Supervisor, Chuck Washington, Nevada County Board of Supervisors, and the City of San José.
There is a lot of progress being made towards Digital Equity in California and CETF looks forward to continuing to work with all of our partners, broadband stakeholders, state leaders and YOU to close the Digital Divide, promote Digital Inclusion, and achieve Digital Equity. Your leadership is the key!
Sincerely,
Sunne Wright McPeak
President and CEO
California Emerging Technology Fund