Connect Eagle Nation

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D. Bailey, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
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Overview
Computer Assistance Program

Overview

The Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program, Connect Eagle Nation, is a collaborative pilot program led by Coppin State University to close the digital gap in Baltimore City. The Connect Eagle Nation proposal will focus on outreach and education, through the use of digital navigators; upgrading technology skills through a practical curriculum to develop workforces skills; planning & capacity building; providing access to computers; and providing an assessment in technology and telehealth in both Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

Activities

The Connect Eagle Nation project is an innovative project with five activities:

  1. purchase and distribute laptops to targeted community recipients;
  2. the partner firm WIS Education will create a curriculum for the new Cyber Apprenticeship Program resulting in industry certification;
  3. a new Digital Navigator program will assist community members in affordable internet adoption, device acquisition, technical skills, application support and the use of computing devices;
  4. the Coppin School of Nursing will collaborate with Baltimore County to provide health and technology assessment in Baltimore County/City with the help of Digital Navigators; and
  5. a planning and capacity building committee will map services to analyze community readiness and needs for broadband. It will also Partner with government leaders, other institutions, K-12 schools, business organizations, and non-profits to combine resources, evaluate existing digital infrastructure for a coherent strategy, and present a unified community voice.

As a result of project implementation, the project aims to: develop a pipeline of device delivery to low-income households, prioritizing households with school-age children; enhance the capability of Coppin State University and Enoch Pratt Library to provide outreach support and digital skills training; and create a planning and capacity building committee that support local efforts that help educate the Eagle Nation Communities on identifying needs and goals, start conversations with providers, evaluate options, and move towards implementing infrastructure projects.

The Connect Eagle Nation project aims to connect the Mondawmin, Coppin Heights, Easterwood, Walbrook, Panway/Braddish Avenue, Sandtown/Winchester, Penn North communities and surrounding anchor communities in Baltimore, Maryland by providing outreach, access, equipment, and support services to facilitate greater use of broadband services.

The subrecipients are: (1) National Forum for Black Public Administrators providing project evaluation, WIS and NPower coordination, and health assessment coordination; (2) Baltimore County, providing health and technology assessment in Baltimore County/City with the help of Digital Navigators; (3) Enoch Pratt Free Library to provide outreach support and digital skills training; (4) WIS Education, a Cyber Training and Education firm, to provide broadband education, awareness, and training (including Digital Navigators); and (5) NPower, a tech training firm, to provide Tech Fundamentals and Digital Navigator Training.
 

Computer Assistance Program

Must meet the income requirements indicated by the Connect Eagle Nation – Connecting Minority Communities grant.

Qualifications

  • Households with an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
  • $27,180 for a household of 1
  • $36,620 for a household of 2
  • $46,060 for a household of 3
  • $55,500 for a household of 4
  • OR $9,440 more for each additional household member
  • Households that participate in government assistance programs such as:
    • Child receives free or reduced-price school lunch.
    • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
    • Medicaid
    • Pell Grant (current award year)
    • SNAP, formerly Food Stamps
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
    • Maryland WIC Program

PLUS, one of the following qualifications and you must reside in the Targeted West Baltimore Communities (based on data census.gov): Mondawmin, Coppin Heights, Easterwood, Walbrook, PanWay/Braddish Avenue, Sandtown/Winchester, Penn North, OR surrounding areas.  

  • Household with K-12 student(s) in Baltimore City Public School System (Highest priority given to students receiving free or reduced lunch.)
  • Coppin State University student (at least 18 years old) who meets income and qualification requirements
  • Graduate of Baltimore City Public School (at least 18 years old)  

Baltimore County (Telehealth)

CHRONIC HEALTH ISSUE(S)—A member of the household who can use a device, must suffer from one or more chronic health issues.

Grant Partners involved: Coppin State University Helene Fuld School of Nursing AND Baltimore County Health and Human Services

Targeted Communities: Lochearn, Milford Mill, and Woodlawn