To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Access to Technology Agreement with Community Tech Network
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Employment and Human Services (EHSD) Director, or designee, to execute a contract with Community Tech Network, a nonprofit agency, in an amount not to exceed $447,000 to provide services and tablets to seniors and adults with disabilities funded under the Access to Technology (ATT) Grant Program for the period February 1, 2024 through September 30, 2024.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$447,000: Funded 100% by state funds through an agreement with the California Department of Aging (CDA) for the Home and Community Based Services grant.
BACKGROUND:
In 2021, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 135 into law, which added Welfare & Institutions Code (WIC) section 9104 requiring CDA to create the Access to Technology (ATT) program. ATT aims to meet the needs of older persons aged 60+ and adults with disabilities to gain access to digital connectivity and technology to reduce isolation, increase social connections, and enhance self-confidence in navigating digital and online resources. CDA awarded EHSD $1,449,700 in ATT grant to bridge the digital divide and reduce isolation among seniors and adults with disabilities in Contra Costa County. Through this agreement, Community Tech Network will disseminate digital equipment, deliver tech literacy trainings directly to program participants, and conduct train-the trainer sessions with partner agency volunteers and staff to enable continuity of programs.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Without this agreement, seniors and persons with disabilities will not be able to access digital technology equipment and trainings.