Presentation of the Analysis of the Eliminate the Digital Divide Grant Program UIC Capstone Project - Fall 2014 Ta'Shona Griffin, Patrick Hastings, and Rachel Wagner In October 2014, Smart Chicago Collaborative's application to the University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Public Administration MPA Capstone program was accepted. The project revolved around research of Computer Technology Centers (CTCs) across the state.

1. Eliminating the Digital Divide
By: Rachel Wagner, Patrick Hastings, and TaShona Griffin

2. INTRODUCTION
◈ Little to no connections between CTCs:
◈ Workforce Development Community
◈ Other Community Technology Centers
◈ Eliminate the Digital Divide Advisory Committee
◈ Renewed focus on building community of shared learning

3. CAPSTONE SCOPE
◈ Interviews with program managers
◈ Surveys with program participants
◈ Develop and report on trends
◈ Recommend methods:
◈ maximize use of DCEO technology grants
◈ increase connections with grant recipients

4. METHODOLOGY - INTERVIEWS
◈ Selection Method:
◈ Geographical Location
◈ Representativeness
◈ Constraints:
◈ Prioritization
◈ Availability
◈ Time

5. METHODOLOGY - SURVEYS
◈ Selection Methods:
◈ Contact Request
◈ Constraints:
◈ Inability to Monitor Response Rate
◈ Reporting Bias
◈ Selection Bias

6. FINDINGS - CATEGORIES
◈ Funding
◈ Methods of Communication
◈ Program Monitoring
◈ Performance Measurement
◈ Best Practices

7. FINDINGS
◈ Funding Sources:
◈ Lack of Technology Grants
◈ State Agency Grants
◈ Utilization of Grant Money:
◈ High Cost Participant Ratio

8. FINDINGS
◈ Methods of Communication:
◈ Participant Outreach
◈ Social Media
◈ Newsletters/Flyers
◈ Collaboration and Partnerships:
◈ Libraries vs. Non-Profit
◈ Unique Opportunities
◈ Program Monitoring
◈ General Documentation
◈ Class Proportions

9. FINDINGS
◈ Performance Measurement:
◈ Pre and Pro Test
◈ Certificates
◈ EDGE Initiative
◈ Specialized Performance Measures
◈ Navigation of GED Program
◈ Employment Rates
◈ Subjective Evaluations

10. FINDINGS
◈ Best Practices:
◈ Hands on Training
◈ Small Classroom
◈ Personalized Attention
◈ Organizational Commitment to
Client Growth
◈ Maximize Free Resources:
◈ Online Tutorials
◈ Open Source Software

11. SURVEY TRENDS
◈ Comfort Levels
◈ Basic Knowledge
◈ Applying Knowledge
◈ Internet Usage
◈ Specific Programs

12. SURVEY TRENDS (cont.)

13. RECOMMENDATION ONE
Enhance Grant Criteria
◈ Require Measure of Accomplishment
◈ Potential Benefits
◈ Increasing Credibility
◈ Increasing Sense of Accomplishment
◈ Consistency of other CTCs
◈ Standardized Bench Marks

14. RECOMMENDATION TWO
Collaboration
◈ Establishing Connections for Clients
◈ Job Skills Agencies
◈ Between Non-Profits and Libraries
◈ Non-Profits - Job Skill Based
◈ Libraries - Technological Training

15. RECOMMENDATION THREE
Communication
◈ Shared Network
◈ Mass Mail e.g. List Serve
◈ Benefits:
◈ Common Information Base
◈ Acknowledge of Accomplishments