Initiative Description
CT's AT Act Program utilized AT Public Health funds in collaboration with the State Unit on Aging who contributed $292,838 of their Public Health funds and $108,000 in ADRC Funds to help create our Bridging the Digital Divide program in CT. Digital Divide Coordinators at two AT Partner agencies serve adults with disabilities and individuals 60 and older, providing one on one or group training on the use of mobile technology and computer, including turning on built in accessibility features and ensuring users can utilize their devices to access the internet, reduce social isolation, participate in telehealth and more. Tablets and hot spots may be provided to individuals 60 and older. Training can also be offered to individuals who work for organizations that serve these populations to enhance their capacity, such as libraries, senior centers, centers for independent living and more. In addition to the 3 FTE Digital Divide Coordinators, the 5 Centers for Independent Living are also collaborating on this project, utilizing their public health workforce funds to have 5 Community Health Advocates who are assisting individuals with disabilities with mobile tech coaching, smart home technology and personal care attendants as needed. The goal has been to cross refer to one another (DDCs to/from CHAs) so that each individual receives the appropriate support and services.
In the first year services, beginning Oct. 2022, the DDCs have been contacted by and reached 254 individuals, with 130 fully completing service delivery. The primary reasons for connecting with a DDC include needing a device or needing training non their own device. 80 Individuals requested to be able to connect to internet, 66 for training on Accessibility features, 20 on telehealth and 14 needed connectivity. The vast majority of individuals served are adults between 50 - 89 years old, who are female and primarily below the federal poverty level. In this time period, DDCs also reached 45 entities in the state, in some cases they were able to conduct outreach activities to the entity's client based or they were able to provide direct training to the staff who work at the entity's location to help develop their capacity to support their clients.