REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
SHELBY MACNAB, MPA, Assistant Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: CHANELL JOHNSON, MPA, Senior Management Analyst
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Apply for and Accept a Grant of up to $200,000 from the California Public Utilities Commission to Fund Digital Literacy Education and Digital Access (Citywide) (Subject to Mayor's Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend that the City Council adopt the resolution authorizing the application for and acceptance of up to $200,000 from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) California Advance Services Fund (CASF) Broadband Adoption Account to fund Digital Literacy Education and Digital Access.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff are requesting authorization to submit a grant proposal to the CPUC and to accept the funding if awarded. Funding will be used to provide Digital Literacy Education and Digital Access through digital literacy classes and earned take-home devices for eligible community members at community centers in high-need areas throughout Fresno.
BACKGROUND
Funding for the CASF Broadband Adoption Account comes from State Assembly Bill (AB) 1665, signed into law by Governor Brown in 2017. AB 1665 authorizes around $20 million in funding annually for the provision of grants for Digital Literacy and Broadband Access in communities with demonstrated low broadband access. The PARCS Department was previously awarded a 24-month CASF grant in 2024 and used the grant to establish the "Tech Easy Program" within the PARCS Department. The first cycle grant will end in December 2026. To date, PARCS has provided digital literacy education to 126 participants who completed eight (8) hours of instruction, and di...
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