The Digital Access for All Idahoans (DAAI) Tech Refresh Grant 2024

The Digital Access for All Idahoans (DAAI) Tech Refresh Grant 2024 provides new desktop and laptop computers to public and tribal libraries throughout Idaho for the purpose of expanding digital inclusion, equity, and literacy efforts. Libraries may apply for up to 50 computers in five-unit intervals to provide training in cybersecurity, internet use, computer use, and basic technology use. Libraries will connect with groups or individuals who will benefit from increased access to internet-enabled devices and digital literacy training. Additionally, participating libraries have the option to establish or expand partnerships with community organizations to identify their communities’ unique digital access needs and use technology to target those needs. Further, subgrantees must work with individuals from any of the eight covered populations, as identified in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. These individuals include - households with incomes below 150% of the poverty level, seniors, incarcerated individuals, veterans, individuals with disabilities, those facing language barriers, members of racial and ethnic minority groups, and residents of rural areas. Program Goals: 1. Enhance Digital Inclusion: Increase broadband adoption, digital skills, cybersecurity awareness, and access to technical support and devices among the covered populations. 2. Strengthen Institutional Capacity: Build the capacity of subgrantees to better serve their communities through staff participation in an ICfL learning cohort focused on digital inclusion and equity. 3. Foster Community Engagement: Support grantees and covered populations in achieving objectives related to civic and social engagement, economic and workforce development, education, health, and the delivery of essential services. Digital Access Objectives: 1. Equip Idahoans with the knowledge to compare internet service plans effectively. 2. Increase the number of incarcerated individuals attaining digital skills certifications. 3. Boost overall confidence in digital skills among participants. 4. Mitigate apprehension associated with internet use. 5. Enhance confidence in cybersecurity practices. 6. Reduce the number of Idahoans experiencing device malfunction without resolution. 7. Ensure digital navigators effectively serve 7,000 clients annually. 8. Maintain a high level of customer satisfaction for digital navigation services. 9. Increase ownership of digital devices among target populations. 10. Provide access to new or refurbished devices to enhance digital inclusion. Through the Tech Refresh Digital Access Grant, the ICfL is committed to fostering an equitable digital landscape for all Idahoans, ensuring that technological advancements are accessible to every member of our community.

IMPORTANT! In the Project Information section, when starting an application, please enter 'Award Requested' as $.01. While this is a non-monetary award and no dollar amount is being requested, a value must be entered to mark the form as complete. The application questions form will allow users to indicate the number of desktops/laptops they are requesting.

If you have questions about the grant application or the application process, please contact Library Technology Consultant Doug Baker at doug.baker@libraries.idaho.gov, (208) 639-4173, or Grants/Contracts Officer Jamie Thill at jamie.thill@libraries.idaho.gov, (208) 639-4153.

All applicants must be located in and perform work in Idaho. Who can apply: 1. Public Libraries (a multi-branch library system must submit a single application) 2. Special libraries (specifically targeting Tribal libraries) To apply for this grant, the organization must obtain a non-proprietary Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number from the federal System of Award Management (SAM). The UEI is a requirement for grantees receiving federal funds administered by the ICfL and replaces the requirement for a DUNS number. Obtaining a UEI is free but can take a week to several months if your entity is not already in the SAM system. Please see the SAM website for more information: https://sam.gov/content/home. KEY DEFINITIONS: Digital Equity: The term “digital equity” means the condition in which individuals and communities have the information technology capacity that is needed for full participation in the society and economy of the United States. Digital Inclusion: The term “digital inclusion” means the activities that are necessary to ensure that all individuals in the United States have access to, and the use of, affordable information and communication technologies, such as: •Reliable fixed and wireless broadband internet service; • Internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user; and • Applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration. This includes: •Obtaining access to digital literacy training •The provision of quality technical support •Obtaining basic awareness of measures to ensure online privacy and cybersecurity Digital Literacy: The term “digital literacy” means the skills associated with using technology to enable users to find, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate information. Covered Populations: The term “Covered Populations” means •Individuals who live in covered households (full definition is below); •Aging individuals; •Incarcerated individuals (as defined by the State or Territory), other than individuals who are incarcerated in a federal correctional facility; •Veterans; •Individuals with disabilities; •Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group; •Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area •Individuals with a language barrier, including individuals who are English learners and/or have low levels of literacy Aging Individual: The term “aging individual” means an individual who is 60 years of age or older. Covered Household: The term “covered household” means a household in which the income for the most recently completed year is not more than 150 percent of an amount equal to the poverty level, as determined by using criteria of poverty established by the Bureau of the Census. Individuals with disabilities: The term “disability” means, with respect to an individual, (a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; (b) a record of such impairment; or (c) being regarded as having such an impairment. Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area: The term “rural area” means any area other than (a) a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; (b) any urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; and (c) in the case of a grant, a city, town, or incorporated area that has a population of greater than 20,000 inhabitants. Veterans: The term "veteran" means a person who served in the active military, naval, air, or space service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

If you have questions about the grant application or the application process, please contact Library Technology Consultant Doug Baker at doug.baker@libraries.idaho.gov, (208) 639-4173, or Grants/Contracts Officer Jamie Thill at jamie.thill@libraries.idaho.gov, (208) 639-4153.