|
|
County Executive Lamont G. McClure and the Northampton County Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) recently announced an allocation of approximately $10,000 of the County’s Broadband American Rescue Plan funds to support Digital Navigator Training.
Digital Navigators address the whole digital inclusion process—home connectivity, devices, and digital skills—with members of our community who need assistance. Navigators can be volunteers, cross-trained existing staff, or dedicated new hires.
During training, Digital Navigators will learn:
- How to pair community members with appropriate devices and locate local free and low-cost options
- What resources are available for self-guided digital skills, and how to use resources to teach one-on-one or to small groups
- How a digital navigator program conducts its work, including data collection and client management
- How to identify internet options for low-income community members
Digital Navigators are familiar with their community’s resources related to digital equity. They offer guidance on connectivity, devices, and digital skills, help residents learn to use critical online services, and recommend resources. Most Digital Navigators will provide general support; however, some will be able to offer specialized support for specific topics, such as healthcare, and for specific populations, including people with disabilities, returning citizens, higher education students, and caregivers to K-12 students.
“Northampton County has the opportunity to partner with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance to train 100 individuals on the navigator platform,” said Executive Lamont McClure. “If organizations are willing to send a staff member for training, we will have a team of Navigators ready to help anyone who does not know how to access the Internet or how to use a certain device.”
Those interested will participate in training sessions this spring. If your organization wants to train a digital navigator, please contact the Northampton County Department of Community & Economic Development at (610) 829-6306.
WHO: County Executive Lamont G. McClure and the Northampton County Department of Community and Economic Development
WHAT: Digital Navigator Training
WHERE: Northampton County
WHEN: Spring 2024
Information provided to TVL by:
County of Northampton
669 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042
https://www.northamptoncounty.org/
