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AZBSN COVID-19 Digital Access Task Force Update March 11, 2021

Contents

  • April 7 Arizona Broadband Workshop & March 17 Regional Broadband Technical Assistance Webinars
  • March 18 ADE Technology Navigators Planning Meeting
  • Arizona Corporation Commission Docket and March 23 ACC meeting re: Proposal to transition the ASUF Arizona Universal Service Fund High Cost Fund  to a rural broadband development grant or fund
  • March 26 Valley Of the Sun United Way 95th Anniversary Celebration: Honoring Our Past, Introducing Our Future
  • View Recording: Sun Corridor & ADE Webinar with School Technology Leads and the Sun Corridor Network
  • $3.2 billion FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit program - Rules and Eligibility Criteria Released
  • Did You Know – FCC Lifeline Program Subsidizes Broadband, Wireline or Wireless Services!
  • Request for Tech Mentors for Students
  • Arizona AmeriCorps Grants. Deadline March 26, 2021. For Navigators?
Task Force Contact
Steve Peters, Coordinator
Arizona Broadband Stakeholder Network & COVID-19 Digital Access Network
​Phone and Text 520-321-1309
​aticarizona@gmail.com

Updates

ADE Technology Navigators Planning Meeting
March 18, 2021
3:00 – 4:00 pm
Zoom

​Task Force member,  Sophia Mayberry, Project Manager with the Arizona Department Of Education, is scheduling a meeting to explore the idea of technology navigators for Arizona The purpose of the meeting is to pull together a meeting to discuss what everyone is currently doing and if there is an option to scale up something like this.. Contact sophia.mayberry@azed.gov   602-541-3741

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 898 6924 0590
Passcode: WP3&De
Call-in 1 602 753 0140 US (Phoenix)
Meeting ID: 898 6924 0590
Passcode: 440504
April 7 Arizona Broadband Workshop & March 17 Regional Technical Assistance Webinars
April 7 Broadband Workshop
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Information and Registration - Arizona Broadband Workshops
The Arizona Commerce Authority, in cooperation with BroadbandUSA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Economic Development Administration (EDA) is presenting a new webinar series — the Arizona Broadband Workshops. Sessions will be offered on the first Wednesday of every month from 10 am to 12 pm, March through July. Through interactive exercises and discussions, city officials, economic developers and business leaders who attend will be connected with resources to build a roadmap for planning projects, including identifying funding opportunities and service providers.

March 17 Regional Technical Assistance Breakout Sessions
See schedule and registration info below  
These interactive breakout sessions are an opportunity to connect with state and federal representatives about broadband in your community. Each breakout session is geographically divided and associated with a council of governments. If you are unable to attend your location's session, you are welcome to register for other sessions.
  • Northern Arizona Council of Governments: Apache, Coconino, Navajo, and Yavapai counties: Wednesday, 10 a.m., March 17 on Zoom
  • Maricopa Association of Governments: Maricopa County: 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 17 on Zoom
  • Pima Association of Governments and Southeastern Arizona Governments Organization: Pima, Cochise, Graham, Greenlee and Santa Cruz counties: 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 17 on Zoom
  • Western Arizona Council of Governments and Central Arizona Governments: La Paz, Mohave, Yuma, Gila and Pinal counties: 2:30 p.m., Wed., March 17 on Zoom
More information and Registration: ACA Arizona Broadband Workshops web page.
Date Change: Arizona Corporation Commission April 13 Meeting RE: Arizona Universal Service Fund
April 13, 2021 Time TBA 
Arizona Corporation Commission Meeting Room 1
Watch LIVE online at: http://www.azcc.gov/live
Phone: 1 (866) 705-2554 Passcode to Speak 241497# Pass Code To Listen Only, Use Passcode 2414978#

Lea Marquez Peterson, Task Force member and Chair of the Arizona Corporation Commission has placed discussion of the the Arizona Universal Service Fund on the ACC agenda for March for 23rd (T-00000A-20-0336). Chairwoman Marquez Peterson is proposing to transition the Arizona Universal Service Fund High Cost Fund (Title 14, Chapter 2, Article 12, Part A of Arizona Administrative Code) to a rural broadband development grant or fund, to help bridge the digital divide between urban and rural communities in Arizona and deliver universal, equal, and equitable access to high-speed internet across the state, including tribal and rural communities where last-mile and middle-mile infrastructure has been underprovided. The AUSF currently collects $1.2 million per year ($460,000 is currently unused). (NOTE) this is not the only agenda item scheduled at this meeting. Please note that this one of the Task Force Recommendations included in the Strategy Report.

AZBSN Meeting To Discuss This Recommendation
Steve plans to schedule a special AZBSN meeting to discuss this proposal. Date and time TBA.

Open Docket No. T-00000A-20-0336 - Submit Comments
Submit comments here. 
Chairwoman Marquez Peterson has opened a Docket regarding the proposal.  You can review and submit comments directly to Docket No. T-00000A-20-0336 on the ACC web site or email Lea directly at: lmarquezpeterson@azcc.gov and she will post your comments to the docket. Submit comments here. You DO NOT have to create an ACC Portal Account to submit  a Utilities Public Comment.

Download File
Attached is the presentation Commissioner Lea Marquez Peterson delivered at the November 5th Staff Meeting regarding Arizona Universal Service Fund (High Cost Fund), Transition to Rural Broadband Development Fund.
Peterson Presentation to ACC Nov 2020_.pdf
File Size: 1691 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
League Of Cities and Towns Broadband 101 Webinar
The Basics of Broadband for Arizona’s Rural Communities, what is Currently in Place and
​What the Future holds for Broadband in Arizona
Wednesday, March 17Zoom virtual
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
  • Part 1: Basics and Definitions
  • Part 2: Middle Mile and State Programs
  • Part 3: Last Mile and Rural Arizona
  • Part 4: Panel Discussion with Group Regarding Real World Broadband and Panels Experience - 
    ​The last section will be a Q and A with the panel
Information And Registration
Valley Of the Sun United Way 95th Anniversary Celebration
Honoring Our Past, Introducing Our Future
March 26th | 8-9 a.m.
Information and Registration
Task Force member Melissa Boydston is inviting you to join Valley Of the Sun United Way as they celebrate their journey and the destinations ahead at our 95th Anniversary Celebration. We’re excited to share:
  • SPECIAL recognition of supporters, partners, and achievements as we look back on the 95 years that shaped us.
  • Our BOLD goals for community change. You’ll be among the first to see a 5-Year Impact Agenda that will transform lives in our community and will share ways for you to be part of it.
  • A TRANSFORMATIONAL gift from author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott that will accelerate the launch of our 5-Year Impact Agenda.
We have even more surprises in store for you. Tune in to be a part of this special event!
Information and Registration
View Recording: Sun Corridor & ADE Webinar with School Technology Leads and the Sun Corridor Network
View video here. Video Access Code: SCN2021
On March 3 the Arizona Department of Education and the Sun Corridor Network presented a webinar Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and the Sun Corridor Network. Technology leads in Arizona schools that are a part of the Sun Corridor Network shared how the network works and the benefits of participation. Representatives from Paradise Valley School District and Vail School District discussed how they started with and currently utilize the Sun Corridor Network for their school district.
As you may know, the Sun Corridor Network is the Internet network developed and used by Arizona’s public universities. The network connects research and education communities around Arizona to help foster opportunities for communities to collaborate, share ideas and obtain new information.
If you were not able to join, please watch the recording and reach out to hello@suncorridor.org for more information. View video here. Video Access Code: SCN202
FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program – Rules and Eligibility Criteria Released· 
 www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit·   Download Fact Sheet Here

The FCC has released the Order that creates the eligibility criteria and other important rules for the Emergency Broadband Benefit. The agency also released a fact sheet that can be found here:   The FCC has not established a start date for consumer enrollment. Please check our website, www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, regularly for the latest information. 

​A household is eligible if one member of the household:
  • Qualifies for the Lifeline program. 
  • Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, or did so in the 2019-2020 school year. 
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year. 
  • Experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020, and the household had a total income in 2020 below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers. 
  • Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating providers’ existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per eligible household.

Information for Providers
Providers that are interested in participating in the program can learn more by visiting:
https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-broadband-benefit-program

​Outreach Partners Wanted
The FCC is seeking outreach partners to help drive awareness of the new Emergency Broadband Benefit program - an FCC program being developed to provide relief to households that are struggling to pay for Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.   As part of the effort to inform consumers about the upcoming Emergency Broadband Benefit, the FCC has established a new website where stakeholders can sign up to help promote the program. The website will also be a resource for consumers and stakeholders to get the latest information on the Emergency Broadband Benefit as the program develops. From Steve – I have signed up and strongly encourage you to do so.

The $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit Program was created by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for those on Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute between $10 and $50 toward the purchase price.

​On Friday, February 12, the FCC hosted a virtual public roundtable  on the EBB Emergency Broadband Benefit.  The event included remarks from FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, as well as Commissioners Carr, Starks and Simington, followed by two panel discussions. More information about the panels and a recording of the event can be seen here. 
Continue to look for emails and check www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit  for program updates
EBB Program Order.pdf
File Size: 757 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
EBB Program Info Rev1.pdf
File Size: 68 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
EBB Announcement One Pager.pdf
File Size: 1544 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
emergency_broadband_overview-lorman.pdf
File Size: 2716 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Did You Know – FCC Lifeline Program Subsidizes Broadband, Wireline or Wireless Services!
Lifeline is the FCC's program to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. Lifeline provides subscribers a discount on monthly telephone service, broadband Internet service, or bundled voice-broadband packages purchased from participating wireline or wireless providers. The discount helps ensure that low-income consumers can afford 21st century broadband and the access it provides to jobs, healthcare, and educational resources. Lifeline provides up to a $9.25 monthly discount on service for eligible low-income subscribers and up to $34.25 per month for those on Tribal lands. Subscribers may receive a Lifeline discount on either a wireline or a wireless service. See FCC Lifeline Website for additional information
Navajo Nation awarded $53 million E-Rate funding to increase Internet capacity for chapter houses
​and Head Start facilities
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer are pleased to announce that the Navajo Nation secured $53 million in funding through the Federal Communications Commission’s E-Rate Program, to install over 600 miles of fiber optic lines that will expand internet capacity for 90 chapter houses and 53 Head Start facilities on the Navajo Nation. Download Press Release Here
Request For Mentors For Students
Task Force member Tracey Beal is requesting your assistance. Theresa Killingsworth from the Alhambra Elementary School District is building a district wide Coding Program and would love to have tech companies offer mentors or real life experiences that students in middle school can experience as they go through the program.  Contact: Tracey Beal at tracey@schoolconnectaz.org or Theresa Killingsworth at theresakillingsworth@alhambraesd.org.
Arizona  AmeriCorps Grants – Deadline March 26 -For Navigators?
Governor Doug Ducey’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family, in partnership with the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism, issues this Request for Grant Application (RFGA) Solicitation concerning the AmeriCorps State Formula Grant Program in accordance with A.R.S. §41-2701.  Applications for this program will only be accepted through the State’s web-based grants management system, eCivis. The deadline for submission of an application in eCivis will be on or before 5:00pm (Arizona time) on March 26, 2021. Info and Application eCIVIS.
​
There is a Request for Grant Application (RFGA) open for funding through the AmeriCorps Competitive & Formula Grants program. AmeriCorps is a federally funded network of national service programs working to strengthen communities in each state and U.S. territories. The Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family (GOYFF) is responsible for administering approximately $6 Million in federal funds for AmeriCorps programming each year. In Arizona, programs that receive this funding address critical community needs such as preventing opioid misuse, reducing the trauma of domestic violence, easing the strain of prisoner re-entry, increasing academic achievement, decreasing homelessness, sustaining national trails and parks, assisting seniors to stay independent, and providing mentoring to Arizona youth in the areas of literacy, continuing education, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Programs. Over 1,200 individuals become AmeriCorps members in the state of Arizona each year. Members receive a small living stipend and an education award for their term of service. The link for more information is below: https://goyff.az.gov/content/americorps-state-competitive-grants

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