Digital Equity Month

WENATCHEE - The NCW Tech Alliance, Thriving Together NCW, and the NCW Digital Access and Equity Coalition have coined September as Digital Equity Month in NCW. These partners are launching a series of tools and events for community-based organizations (CBO) throughout the month of September, as well as offering opportunities for people experiencing the digital divide. Digital Equity Month will include hands-on opportunities to learn from tech savvy trainers, digital navigator trainings, pop up events, computer refurbishment event, Tech Help classes, the Virtual Care Conference, support resources in English, Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian and much more.

NCW Tech Help is the central hub for community members in Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, and Grant counties to access digital resources, digital devices, and the internet.

The North Central Education Services District will be leading Digital Navigator Trainings across the region. Digital Navigator Training in Tech & Telehealth Basics is a comprehensive course designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to become trusted Digital Navigators. Training will cover technology and telehealth basics and participants will gain insights on how they can help community members learn about web browsers, signing up for email, register for online portals, and more. The time commitment is four hours, with a meal and networking included. Training is free and open to the public but require advance registration via Eventbrite, Facebook, or the Google links below:

Digital Navigator Training: Eight Classes in September throughout Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, and Grant Counties as follows:

• September 7, 9:30-1:30 p.m., Family Health Centers, Omak, eventbrite.com/e/696075068267, facebook.com/events/686234650263473/

• September 7, 4-8 p.m., NCESD, Wenatchee, eventbrite.com/e/696086582707, facebook.com/events/671562907899870/

• September 12, 1-5 p.m., NCESD, Wenatchee, eventbrite.com/e/696085840487, facebook.com/events/841033794188703

•September 14, 10-2 p.m., Moses Lake School District Learning, Services Center, Moses Lake, eventbrite.com/e/696086953817, facebook.com/events/502699718741319

• September 15 - 10- 2 p.m., Moses Lake School District Learning Services Center, Moses Lake, eventbrite.com/e/696090965817, facebook.com/events/130790726726447

• September 18, 4-8 p.m. Waterville School District Multi-Purpose Room, Waterville, eventbrite.com/e/696091356987, facebook.com/events/1371407623442435

• September 19, 12-4 p.m., Nespelem, Nespelem Library, docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8eUeL6CWLHimKzMPbpHwOAP2BscPgee4t3d1hsH8cxXwBZw/viewform, facebook.com/events/843531344149171

NCW Tech Help Pop-Ups

NCW Tech Help is hosting pop-up events where Digital Navigators will offer in-person basic tech assistance to community members. Digital Navigators can provide community members with guidance on how to connect online, where to find a local Internet provider, and how to access digital skills resources.

Upcoming Tech Help Pop-Ups at the Chelan County Fair in Cashmere on September 7-10 and the Care Fair in Moses Lake on September 15. The full list of pop events coming to your area are on our website ncwtech.org. Interested in hosting a pop-up event at your location? Email techhelp@ncwtech.org

Computer Refurbishment: September 6

NCW Tech Alliance distributes refurbished devices to community members in need through our Computers for Community Program. On Wednesday, September 6, there is a computer refurbishment work session at the NCW Tech Alliance office from 4:30-7 p.m. Anyone 21 & older is welcome, no technical experience required.

NCW Tech Help Technology Classes: September 11 - 27

NCW Tech Help has an upcoming class series with CAFE, offering technology basics in Spanish from September 11-27. At the conclusion of the series, each participant will receive a free refurbished laptop from Computers for Community.

Register through CAFE online or by calling 509-715-3158.

Virtual Care Conference: September 18 - 19

Dive into the future of rural healthcare at the 2023 Virtual Care Conference September 18-19 in Wenatchee. Be part of thought-provoking presentations, share in discussions on success stories, and stay updated on legislative changes. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a tech innovator, or an advocate for rural health, there's a wealth of information and opportunities for collaboration awaiting you.

Register to attend the Virtual Care Conference online.

NCW Digital Access and Equity Coalition: September 28

The NCW Digital Access and Equity Coalition will publicly launch on September 28 at 3 p.m. during a zoom call. Stakeholders in this collaborative effort will address issues related to digital access and equity across Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan counties, and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Anyone interested in attending is welcome to join. This coalition call and future calls will be recorded and posted online for public access. Register to attend the coalition meeting online.

NCW Tech Help Resources: Coming Soon

Coming mid-September, NCW Tech Help will be releasing a Digital Navigator Guide, a comprehensive collection of resources that offers quick, one-stop support to help get individuals online. This printed and electronic guide will be distributed across the region and available in English, Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian. The Digital Navigator Guide will be paired with videos that explain digital equity, recruitment for digital navigators, and how the community can connect with NCW Tech Help. In addition, a new NCW Tech Help website will offer data visualization tools that illustrate the unique digital equity needs for each county in North Central Washington.

Additional information

Many events have been marketed under the NCW Tech Help brand. The goal behind marketing under NCW Tech Help is to make it easier for people to understand what services are available. Community members from Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, and Grant counties, and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation can tap into any of the free NCW Tech Help events and resources. For more information about the September Digital Equity Month events, or ongoing digital equity initiatives in NCW, please visit www.ncwtech.org/techhelp or contact Summer Hess at techhelp@ncwtech.org.

NCW Digital Equity & Access Coalition members (as of 8/30/23)

Apple STEM Network

Big Bend Community College

Bigfoot Telecommunications of the Colville Confederated Tribes

CAFÉ - Community for Advanced Family Education

Chelan County PUD

Chelan County Broadband Action Team

Community Health Network of Washington

Douglas County PUD

Economic Alliance

Grant County PUD

Hispanic Business Council

NCW Equity Alliance

NCW Libraries

NCW Tech Alliance

North Central Educational Service District

North Central Washington Equity Alliance

Okanogan County & Colville Confederated Tribes Broadband Action Team

Our Valley Our Future

SkillSource

Thriving Together NCW

Wenatchee Valley College

Contact: Jennifer Bushong, MA , JBe Marketing Group Phone: 509-433-4488, 509-860-7001, www.jbe-marketing.com or email: jennifer@jbemarketinggroup.com