The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today approved $3.29 million in grants from the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Broadband Adoption Account to support 21 projects that will expand digital literacy training and public broadband access in communities across the state. The grants will fund 18 digital literacy projects and three broadband access projects, collectively serving an estimated 16,145 Californians. The projects will provide digital literacy training to 5,345 participants and deliver broadband access to 10,800 additional community members in underserved areas. The approved projects will serve communities in Alameda, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Ventura, and Yolo counties. Across the 18 digital literacy projects, grantees will provide at least eight hours of digital literacy instruction per participant and support broadband subscription enrollment where appropriate. The three broadband access projects will establish community hubs with free public Wi-Fi and equipment.

Approved Projects

  • American GI Forum Education Foundation of Santa Maria – $180,325 to provide digital literacy and data skills training for veterans in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
  • Cyber-Seniors – $751,780 for five Connected Communities digital literacy projects serving older adults in Alameda County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Francisco, and San Jose.
  • Daly City Peninsula Partnership Collaborative – $231,050 to provide digital literacy training in Northern San Mateo County, including services tailored to seniors, immigrants, and low-income residents.
  • Genesis Community Foundation – $1,196,640 for eight Golden Bridge Program digital literacy projects serving seniors, low-income residents, justice-involved youth, and high school students in the Sacramento region.
  • HOPE Center of Orange County – $140,532 to deliver digital literacy training and support to individuals experiencing homelessness in North Orange County.
  • International Rescue Committee – San Jose Office – $154,481 to provide digital literacy training to refugees and immigrants in Santa Clara County through its Digital Inclusion for School and Careers project.
  • International Rescue Committee – San Diego Office – $169,890 to deliver digital literacy and workforce-oriented digital skills training for refugees and immigrants in San Diego County.
  • Monterey Bay Economic Partnership – $463,644 for three Connected Communities Hubs projects establishing free public broadband access sites in Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties.

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