Building Maine’s Future Through Digital Opportunity Partnerships

How Can We Help? Let’s Solve It Together

How Can We Help?

The National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) partners with organizations across the country to assist with and/or deliver the following programs and services to help them bridge the digital divide:

The National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) consults with organizations, communities and regions to create Digital Equity Plans that are a critical part of a strong digital opportunity ecosystem. We are dedicated to empowering organizations with digital opportunity resources that address all aspects of the digital divide, creating long-term sustainable models. Digital Equity Plans address Digital Skills Training, Affordable Broadband, Affordable Devices and Public Computer Access, and provide regions and communities with the expertise to mobilize broadband technologies through digital opportunity efforts and creating digitally skilled citizens

Digital Equity Plans address Digital Skills Training, Affordable Broadband, Affordable Devices and Public Computer Access, and provide regions and communities with the expertise to mobilize broadband technologies through digital opportunity efforts and creating digitally skilled citizens.

Digital Equity Plans will:
- Assist in creating a team to create and execute the Digital Equity Plan
- Provide Demographic Analysis of the target population
  - Includes Median Household Income, Age & Sex, Educational Attainment, Race & Ethnicity, Poverty, Employment, Housing, as well as broadband adoption data which includes number of households with a computer and with broadband internet subscription.
- Address Affordable Broadband
  - Identify the discounted broadband offered by local Internet Service Providers.
  - Establish a plan for affordable broadband service for low-income families.
  - Create a plan for informing residents of the availability of discounted broadband.
- Address Affordable Devices
  - Identify the discounted, low-cost computers, laptops, and other devices offered by local and national organizations.
  - Create a plan for distribution of tablets, laptops, or desktops for low-income families.
- Address Public Computer Access
  - Identify where public Wi-Fi is available.
  - Create a plan and budget to install Public WiFi Community Hotspots at targeted, public locations.
- Create a train-the-trainer digital skills program
  - Create a plan and budget to train local digital skills instructors.
  - Create a plan to execute and provide exclusive digital skills classes via interactive videoconferencing format or in-person classes.

If you are interested in exploring the creation of a Digital Equity Plan for your region or community, or region, please contact NDEC at info@digitalequitycenter.org or (207) 259-5010.

The National Digital Equity Center’s (NDEC) Digital Opportunity Program is a strategy to engage stakeholder organizations focusing on a train-the-trainer model, and establishing a community of practice to support digital opportunity resources and services for the populations that the partner organization serves, including a plan on engaging with Covered Populations.

NDEC’s Digital Opportunity Program is designed to empower organizations to continue providing digital inclusion and digital opportunities to the people that they serve for many years to come.

Digital Opportunity Partner Program Resources:

Digital Opportunity Partners have access to the following exclusive NDEC resources:

A train-the-trainer program to learn to be a digital coach and/or teach specific NDEC digital skills classes.
Access to on-demand digital skills (video), self-paced classes, including internet safety and basic digital skills courses, via weblinks through NDEC’s Digital Opportunity Partner portal.
Ability to facilitate NDEC’s fee-based digital skills classes as on-site digital skills classes via Zoom presented by NDEC’s digital skills instructors.
Assistance with promoting and incorporating digital skills programming into Digital Skills Partners’ core services for the public.

If you are interested in exploring NDEC’s Digital Opportunity Partner Program organization, please contact us at makeadifference@digitalequtycenter..org or (207) 259-5010.

The National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) provides Digital Skills Training that leads to opportunities for professional growth, personal enrichment, the development of computer skills, and preparation for professional careers in a supportive environment. Customized training and consulting solutions are offered to businesses and industries, as well as community residents.

About NDEC Digital Skills Training Classes

NDEC classes are designed for the digital skills needs of adults for where they are in their life – whether it be raising a family, going to school, improving employment opportunities, running a business, or looking forward to retirement and/or aging in place.

The National Digital Equity Center provides 45+ digital skills training classes organized around three curricula:

For Work & Business – classes designed to help develop workforce and small business skills
For Home and Education – classes that meet general digital skills training needs for individuals, as well as for educators
Aging Well with Technology – classes designed for residents 55+

Our digital skills training classes range in duration from one to three one-hours of content and are best taught in small group settings. We offer online classes in a live interactive form using a videoconference platform. NDEC’s Digital Opportunity Partner Program enables students to take in-person classes at community locations, as well as access our on-demand (video) self-paced digital skills learning platform.

NDEC’s Digital Skills Training Program is uniquely designed to allow participants to get their questions answered in classes that work for them and master the digital skills they need to be successful in a digital world.

Private and Customized Digital Skills Training Program:

NDEC can also customize a Digital Skills Training Program to meet the needs of a specific organization or business. We work directly with you to:

Create a plan and budget to offer private and customized digital skills training classes for your organization or business.
Provide a Digital Skills Individual Learning Program to assess digital skills ability, and create Individual Learning Plans to meet the digital skills goals of employer and employee.

Train-the-Trainer Program:

NDEC can assist an organization, region or community in creating a digital skills training plan. The plan includes:

Defining and designing the train-the-trainer digital skills training program based on the organization’s goals and objectives.
Certifying an instructor to teach NDEC’s digital skills classes, or other resources.

If you are interested in exploring a Digital Skills Training Program for your organization, region or community, please contact NDEC at info@digitalequitycenter.org or (207) 259-5010.

The National Digital Equity Center’s (NDEC) Digital Skills Individual Learning Plan Program allows learners to participate in one or both of our Individual Learning Plans. Organizations may sponsor digital skills learners to participate in the following digital skill building programs:

Basic Digital Skills Individual Learning Plans (ILP)
Path to Work Skills Individual Learning Plans (ILP)

Each Individual Learning plan includes an assessment of their skills and learning goals, and guidance to successfully engage in our digital skills training classes as described below.

Basic Digital Skills ILPs
All Basic Digital Skills ILPs begin with a structured interview with the ILP participant (done over the phone or via Zoom) during which the ILP Coordinator accesses the participants’ confidence in performing specific basic digital skills, and determines the digital skills they want or need to learn. They are then provided with an Individual Learning Plan which details what skills they need to learn and which NDEC classes will teach them those skills. Each ILP participant is assigned a Virtual Digital Navigator who coaches the participant to get them ready for their NDEC classes. The Digital Navigator will assist in enrolling and registering the participant in digital skills classes and resources.

Path to Work Skills ILPs
This NDEC ILP Program is designed for those who need to improve their digital skills to improve their job opportunities. This ILP Program starts off with a series of assessments of the participants’ digital skills related to the workforce. We also complete the Basic ILP interview with each Path to Work Skills ILP participant to certify that they have the requisite Basic Digital Skills to participate in the program. Participants are asked to take basic digital skills classes to remedy any gaps in knowledge before moving on to the Path to Works Skills ILP Assessment.

The Path to Work Skills ILP begins with a series of assessments that are administered in an online, interactive environment. For each assessment the participant passes, they receive a Certificate of Proficiency. From the results of the assessments, as well as an assessment of their career goals, an Individual Learning Plan is created which includes the NDEC classes needed to meet the participant’s workforce training goals. Each ILP participant is provided a reassessment after completing each class in their ILP until they are able to receive a certificate for that digital skill. During their follow-up appointment with a NDEC ILP Coordinator, the participant is provided referrals to additional resources that may help them continue on their career path.

Program Requirements
ILP Participants are expected to complete their assigned classes within three months. In the event that a participant continually misses their coaching sessions and does not progress in their classes, NDEC will contact a sponsoring agency and/or partner first to determine if they need to be removed from the program and return any device that they have been provided.

If you are interested in exploring NDEC’s Digital Skills Individual Learning Plans for yourself, your business, or for your region or community, please contact us at makeadifference@digitalequitycenter.org or (207) 259-5010.

For many low-income individuals and families, having access to low-cost computers or devices is just as important as having access to low-cost broadband. Having a computer or device at home enables you to connect to the Internet, search for and apply to jobs, improve computer skills, work and attend school remotely, and overall to participate in our digital economy.

The National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) consults with organizations to design and facilitate affordable device programs for organizations, regions and communities, including appropriate devices for their target population and resources for purchase, as well as potential digital skills training device recipients may need to safely and effectively use their device.

If you are interested in exploring a Low-Cost or No-Cost Device Program for your organization, your region or community, please contact NDEC at info@digitalequitycenter.org or (207) 259-5010.

Individuals Needing a Device

For individuals in need of a laptop or desktop, we recommend contacting give IT. get IT, an organization that helps eligible individuals get access to fast, high-quality computers at the lowest cost possible. Go to give IT. get IT. or call 207-338-4233 for more information.

For some homes, affordability is a barrier to subscribing to a broadband connection. The National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) can work with communities to design and/or administer turn-key solutions for affordable broadband.

Broadband Subsidy Programs:
Broadband Subsidy Programs are a way for an organization or community to offset broadband subscription costs for low-to-moderate income families. A Broadband Subsidy Program* can include:
Assistance in creating a fundraising campaign for the broadband subsidy program
Identifying the local Internet Service Provider(s) who can offer the subsidized plan to eligible households
Establishing the criteria for low-income families to qualify for the subsidy and the number of households the subsidy can cover based on those criteria
Developing the plan for informing residents of the availability of and criteria for discounted broadband

Affordable Broadband Classes:
NDEC provides two classes that demonstrate the options available for internet savings. Classes are as follows:

Exploring Affordable Internet Options includes the following:
Understanding how to test the speed of current available broadband to determine the lowest cost plan with available internet service providers that will suit your needs
Learning about the FCC Lifeline benefit, a government program that gives qualifying households a discount on phone and/or internet service
Alternative lower-cost broadband options, such as a hotspot with your cell phone carrier Accessing free Wi-Fi available in your area

Cutting the Cord provides an overview of:
How to reducing your overall bill with cable or satellite providers by accessing television and phone services online
Explaining various streaming service options and technology so people can make informed choices
Understanding the bandwidth needed to access streaming services

If you are interested in exploring Affordable Broadband Solutions for your organization, region or community, please contact NDEC at info@digitalequitycenter.org or (207) 259-5010.

If you are interested in taking an Affordable Broadband class, please register for a class at: https://digitalequitycenter.org/classes/ or call 207-259-5010.

The National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) collaborates with communities or organizations to customize and design specialized training for Community Advocates, Digital Navigators and Technical Support Specialists. Community Advocates, Digital Navigators, and Technical Support Specialists help communities and organizations promote digital equity, digital inclusion and digital opportunities.

There are many communities across the country where digital inclusion and digital opportunity efforts take the form of collaborations and partnerships as well as freestanding programs. A community can assist in promoting access to affordable broadband, low- or no-cost devices, digital skills training classes, and public computer access for their residents and businesses.

Community Advocates:

Community Advocates are local volunteers who work with libraries, schools, community centers, and municipal offices to promote local digital opportunity resources.

Community Advocates can raise the profile of Digital Equity, Digital Inclusion and Digital Opportunities for their communities’ media, opinion leaders, and the public. They bring a range of interested parties and organizations together. This sets the stage for participants to understand each other’s perspectives, share information and strategic insights, and discover opportunities for new collaborations and partnerships.

The Community Advocate may participate in and/or enlist other organizations and volunteers in their community to participate in one or more NDEC Train-the-Trainer Programs, including the Digital Opportunity Partner Program.

Digital Navigators:

Digital Navigators are trusted guides who assist community members with ongoing, individualized support for accessing affordable and appropriate connectivity, devices, and digital skills.

Digital Navigators can be volunteers, cross-trained existing staff, or dedicated new hires who offer guidance on connectivity, devices, and digital skills. Digital Navigators often work at trusted community-based organizations, and are familiar with their community’s resources that relate to digital equity.

Technical Support Specialists:

A Technical Support Specialist is a professional who educates and support people on setting up and using devices and home networks (i.e., smart home services, wireless routers, smart TVs, printers/scanners, etc.) They may also assist individuals with using specific software programs.

A Technical Support Specialist is a problem-solver and may work independently, or for an Internet Service Provider, a specific organization, or as a small business owner in their community. They may be able to do technical support in a home-based capacity or in an office or a community setting.

If you are interested in exploring NDEC’s Community Advocate, Digital Navigator or Technical Support Specialist Training Programs, please contact us at info@digitalequitycenter.org or (207) 259-5010.

For more information about engaging the National Digital Equity Center to assist your organization with implementing these programs and services in your community or region, please contact us at info@digitalequitycenter.org or 207-259-5010.

Digital Equity & Digital Inclusion Plans

To address leveraging the internet, communities can adopt a Digital Equity & Digital Inclusion Plan. A plan includes designing intentional strategies and investments to reduce and eliminate historical, institutional and structural barriers to access and technology use.

The National Digital Equity Center can work with a community or region to create and execute a Digital Equity & Digital Inclusion Plan.

The plan should address the four components to Digital Inclusion – Affordable Broadband, Affordable Equipment, Digital Literacy/Computer Skills Training, and Public Computer Access.

To create the plan, the National Digital Equity Center begins by analyzing the community or region’s demographics and reviewing the data to recommend a digital literacy/computer skills plan for the community or region. The plan might include a digital skills training plan for Business Growth & Support; Tourism; Aging in Place; and Residential Resources.

The Digital Equity & Digital Inclusion Plan will also include what options are available for affordable broadband, affordable equipment and where public computer access may be available in a community or region.

For more information on how the National Digital Equity Center can work with your community or region, please contact info@digitalequitycenter.org or 207-259-5010.

Other resources that can assist communities with broadband infrastructure planning are listed here.

Create A Digital Skills Program

The National Digital Equity Center can assist a community and/or region in creating a local digital skills plan. The plan may include:

Create a train-the-trainer digital skills program where we certify an instructor to teach one or more of NDEC’s digital skills classes in your area. Cost depends on the number of participants, level of skill-building, and number of classes included in your program.
Create a plan and budget to offer these classes in your community, through our unique Partner Onsite class program. Our instructors teach classes via Zoom to in-person participants at your location. This program is free to Maine locations that offer the classes open to the public and free to their communities.
Create a plan and budget to offer specific NDEC Online Interactive Digital Skills classes to members of your organization or community. These classes are free to Maine residents but are $50.00 per class to individual out-of-state participants.

If you are interested in exploring the creation of an NDEC Digital Skills Program for your community, state, or region, please contact Susan Corbett at susan@digitalequitycenter.org or (207) 259-5010.