Digital Access Task Force Meeting
Monday April 5, 2021 Next Task Force Meetings April 5, 12, 19, 26 7:30 - 8:45 AM Zoom Meeting We will begin promptly at 7:30 am! See Meeting Agenda Tab below Please engage by video rather that just audio so that we can also share our screens with you. Zoom Meeting ID: 919 9321 8962 Join the Meeting Password AZBSN Phone: Dial by your location
You will be prompted to enter your unique participant ID - Press # to skip Registration Required: Since we no longer have time for everyone to introduce themselves at the meeting, we are requiring you to register when you join the meeting so that we can capture and share attendee contact info. This will help facilitate collaboration. While some of the info requested is optional, such as mobile number, we encourage you to provide all the info. We will just be asking for First and Last Name, Organization, Title, Email, Phone and Mobile. You can also add a brief paragraph about you or your organization, if you are so motivated, Of course this is optional. The registration info will then be distributed in the meeting summaries.
Download Task Force Reports and Other Presentations
Contact Info
Steve Peters, AZBSN and Task Force Coordinator [email protected] Phone or Text: 520-321-1309 |
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Want To Connect With Task Force Participants?
Want to keep up with the
latest news and events? During our meetings we often discuss programs and resources, as well as provide announcements of upcoming federal and state meetings and events. And, of course, we have our weekly Digital Access Resource presentation.
Looking for more information as well as contact information for our presenters and other resources. You will find much of that information in this meeting announcement, on our current Events and Updates web page, and in the Meeting Summary sent to you after the meeting. For example, the Digital Access presenter contact information is available on this page as well as on the meeting web page. Just thought you should know. Contact information for all meeting attendees will now be included in the meeting summaries. Also, there is now a link on the meeting webpage to the Google Sheet with contact information for most of the people participating in the Task Force. BTW, if you are not included it is because you haven’t filled out the Google Form. |
Task Force Draft FCC Emergency Broadband and Lifeline Programs Webpage
As you may know, we have had many discussions about the FCC Lifeline program, and the new Emergency Broadband Program soon to be launched. It is urgent that we get the word out and help eligible low-income households register for these programs ASAP. There is consensus that the most effective way to educate and enroll eligible consumers is through direct personal contact with consumers from a trusted source such as schools, libraries, non-profit and faith-based organizations, social service and health care agencies, and local and state governments.
We have been in touch with a number of organizations, many whom are participating in the Task, who are anxious to get moving on this but need information, so I have been working on a webpage with information, resources, files and links to make it easier for organizations to access the information they need. Please note that this is a work in progress and not yet finalized. Your input and suggestions will be appreciated Want to help? Contact Steve Peters, Task Force Coordinator [email protected] 520-321-1309 |
Agenda, Support, Events & Announcements, About The Task Force
March 29 2021 Agenda
Tentative Agenda
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Updates and Digital Access
Resource Presentation Federal and State Updates
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April 5Digital Access Resource Highlight
April 5 Digital Access Resource Highlight: Milan Eaton, State Erate Director, Arizona Department of Education. Milan manages Erate for Arizona Schools. Among his many projects and accomplishments, he was a principal architect and worked with the Governor’s office and Corporation Commission to create and manage the Arizona Broadband for Education Initiative building broadband to all schools and libraries in Arizona. Milan is working with many schools and communities in Arizona.
Contact: Milan Eaton, State Erate Director for Schools, Arizona Department of Education,
[email protected], Cell: 623-332-6357
Contact: Milan Eaton, State Erate Director for Schools, Arizona Department of Education,
[email protected], Cell: 623-332-6357
Task Force Support Needed From You
Task Force Marketing Committee – We Need Your Help ASAP!
The Task Force agreed that we need a marketing strategy to promote the Task Force and the Task Force Report and Recommendations. We will be forming a Marketing Committee/Team to formulate and oversee implementation of a marketing strategy. Interested in participating on this Team? Maybe you want to be a Cochair! Contact Steve ASAP 520-321-1309 or [email protected].
ATIC/GAZEL Database Update: To support the Task Force marketing plan we need to refresh the ATIC/GAZL database. We would appreciate any help you can provide in obtaining the following lists, preferably in Excel spreadsheets: All Mayors, City Managers, County Managers, Economic Development Directors, School Superintendents, important association and chamber of commerce executives, education advocacy organizations, telehealth and health care organizations, regional Association of Governments execs, municipal and school CTOs/CIOs, key government agency directors, key university and community college contacts, any other individuals and organizations that may be interested in our digital access initiatives.
The Task Force agreed that we need a marketing strategy to promote the Task Force and the Task Force Report and Recommendations. We will be forming a Marketing Committee/Team to formulate and oversee implementation of a marketing strategy. Interested in participating on this Team? Maybe you want to be a Cochair! Contact Steve ASAP 520-321-1309 or [email protected].
ATIC/GAZEL Database Update: To support the Task Force marketing plan we need to refresh the ATIC/GAZL database. We would appreciate any help you can provide in obtaining the following lists, preferably in Excel spreadsheets: All Mayors, City Managers, County Managers, Economic Development Directors, School Superintendents, important association and chamber of commerce executives, education advocacy organizations, telehealth and health care organizations, regional Association of Governments execs, municipal and school CTOs/CIOs, key government agency directors, key university and community college contacts, any other individuals and organizations that may be interested in our digital access initiatives.
Task Force Database Update – Please Respond ASAP
Task Force Collaborators - Yes That is You!
Since the creation of the Task Force we have added many new people to our Team. Some of you requested participation, some were referred by others. Anyway, to make a long story short, we do not have complete contact information about many of you. In order to encourage greater collaboration, please take a couple of minutes to fill out this Google Form to provide us your name, organization, title, phone, mobile # (optional), email, web site link, and a short description about you or your organization(also optional). Your mobile number would be helpful to enable us send an occasional text message. We would like to start sharing this information with the Task Force.
Task Force Collaborators - Yes That is You!
Since the creation of the Task Force we have added many new people to our Team. Some of you requested participation, some were referred by others. Anyway, to make a long story short, we do not have complete contact information about many of you. In order to encourage greater collaboration, please take a couple of minutes to fill out this Google Form to provide us your name, organization, title, phone, mobile # (optional), email, web site link, and a short description about you or your organization(also optional). Your mobile number would be helpful to enable us send an occasional text message. We would like to start sharing this information with the Task Force.
Amazon Smile – Support the Task Force For Free
Do you shop at Amazon? Now you can support the Task Force with no expense to you. All it takes is a couple of minutes of your time. AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support the Task Force every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones. When you shop at AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. GAZEL, the Greater Arizona Educational Leadership one of the Task Force’s lead organizations, is a registered Amazon Smile 501(c)(3) organization. Just select Greater Arizona Educational Leadership when you sign up for Amazon Smile. See this Amazon Smile web page for additional details.
Do you shop at Amazon? Now you can support the Task Force with no expense to you. All it takes is a couple of minutes of your time. AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support the Task Force every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones. When you shop at AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. GAZEL, the Greater Arizona Educational Leadership one of the Task Force’s lead organizations, is a registered Amazon Smile 501(c)(3) organization. Just select Greater Arizona Educational Leadership when you sign up for Amazon Smile. See this Amazon Smile web page for additional details.
About The Task Force
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic the world is creating the largest telecommunity of all time. Social and physical distancing is becoming the new normal requiring unpresented demand for digital access for all Arizona communities including tribal, rural and other underserved communities and low-income neighborhoods in Arizona.
AZBSN, the Arizona Broadband Stakeholder Network, led by ATIC, the Arizona Telecommunications and Information Council, GAZEL, the Greater Arizona Educational Leadership organization, in cooperation with many other stakeholder organizations, have created an AZBSN COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force. |
What Is Digital Access
Digital access is more than just access to fast affordable and reliable Internet access. Everyone, especially students, also require access to technology such as computers, laptops, and smart phones as well as other digital equipment such as routers, hotspots, and web cameras. They also need digital content resources and skills to effectively use technology. |
The Task Force will:
Participation will include representation from: state and local government officials, public policy makers, rural community leaders, economic development, education, local or state government, health services, public safety, libraries, telecommunications and technology companies, and more.
- Facilitate collaboration, coordination, information sharing and communication among key public, private and nonprofit stakeholders
- Collaborate on priority initiatives for schools, libraries, telemedicine, communities, and more
- Develop a statewide COVID-19 digital access strategy to support, schools, universities, community colleges, students, homes, libraries, health care facilities, businesses and communities
- Identify and advocate for funding to enable implementation of COVID-19 Digital Access Projects
Participation will include representation from: state and local government officials, public policy makers, rural community leaders, economic development, education, local or state government, health services, public safety, libraries, telecommunications and technology companies, and more.
AZBSN COVID-19 Task Force Plans and Subcommittees
- Regular Task Force informational, coordinating and planning meetings
- Task Force Subcommittees including Education, Libraries, Telemedicine, Service Providers, Communities, and Funding
- Regular Community, Stakeholder, and Citizen Communications by newsletters, webinars, web site and informational meetings, social media, etc.
- Service Provider Resources with Arizona Contacts
- Federal and State Digital Access Briefings
- Short Term Initiatives
- Online Database: Resources, Needs, Contacts, etc.
- Collaboration Platform
- A State plan defining short term plans and priorities that will identify challenges, barriers and recommendations related to key issues including Education, Libraries, Telemedicine, Service Providers, Communities, and Funding
- AZBSN COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force Web Pages, with links to and from the Arizona Commerce Authority and other sites providing related information
- Statewide Webinars and stakeholder informational meetings
- AZBSN Newsletters to all relevant stakeholders in Arizona
- Social Media Announcements
Teams will address the following questions:
- What do you perceive are the major Digital Access/Digital Inclusion needs such as Internet access and devices, as well as training, funding and technical support. What are the issues/barriers?
- What specific strategies, initiatives, resources, partnerships, technologies or opportunities can we recommend to help address these needs. If we can determine it, what specific funding do we need?
- Who else needs to be involved in your Committee?
- Others Questions?
- Education and Libraries: What are the Digital Access/Digital Inclusion needs such as Internet access and devices, as well as training, funding and technical support are needed for libraries and library patrons, public and private K-12 schools, community colleges, universities, students, families, faculty, community? What are the barriers? What specific strategies, initiatives, resources, partnerships, technologies or opportunities can we recommend/initiate to help address these needs.
- Communities: What are the Digital Access/Digital Inclusion needs such as Internet access and devices, as well as training and funding to support community needs such as small business owners and employees, economic development, government services, public safety, nonprofit organizations, etc. What are the barriers? What specific strategies, initiatives, resources, partnerships, technologies or opportunities can we recommend/initiate to help address these needs.
- Technology: (changed from Service Providers): What Digital Access/Digital Inclusion technologies should be considered to provide Internet access to schools, libraries, families and communities such as wire line, satellite, mesh networks, cellular microwave, WiFi on buses, open schools and libraries Erate networks. What kinds of devices are needed and should be considered such as computers and tablets, cell phones, hot spots, web cams, software, conferencing services?
- Funding/Resources: What funding and resources opportunities are there such as federal, state and local funding, foundations, donation campaigns, volunteer support, refurbished equipment, donations and support from Internet providers and technology companies, etc.
Subcommittee Teams
- Education
- Libraries
- Communities
- Technology
- Funding