Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Digital Equity topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lake County reports 2,300+ residents served, 537 devices distributed under digital equity initiative
Summary
County digital‑equity staff reported serving 2,315 residents, providing 1,700 hours of engagement and distributing 537 laptops through workshops, navigators and a summer youth partnership.
Lake County’s digital equity team told the Technology Committee on Aug. 29 that the county’s Digital Growth Initiative has served more than 2,315 residents, logged about 1,700 hours of engagement, and distributed 537 laptops (refurbished and new) through programs including digital navigator outreach, workshops, and partnerships with workforce development.
Kaye Crandall, digital equity manager, and Kim Lund, digital equity coordinator, highlighted a summer partnership with the county’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) that provided laptops and digital skills workshops to participating youth. Crandall said the county provided devices and training on internet safety and basic digital skills; more than 100 SYEP youth earned laptops through the partnership.
The county uses Northstar Digital Literacy curriculum and licenses. Lund provided usage statistics for March through August: 289 unique Northstar users took 634 basic computer tests with 331 passes (a 52.2% assessment pass rate); in the most recent 30‑day window staff reported 107 unique users, 142 tests and a 57% pass rate. Crandall said about 20 Northstar licenses remain available for community organizations, with outreach underway to libraries and community anchors (Lake Villa, Lake Bluff, Grayslake libraries and others) to expand use.
The county’s digital navigator program has held "learn to earn" cohorts and basic computer classes in partnership with community organizations including the Patricia A. Jones Center and the Job Center of Lake County. Staff said they post videos and promotional materials and are preparing additional coalition meetings: an in‑person Digital Equity Coalition meeting is scheduled for Sept. 23 at the College of Lake County Lakeshore campus (Eleanor Murkey Community Center) and a Zoom meeting on Oct. 28.
Crandall said Lake County received the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) 2024 Visionary Trailblazer Award recognizing local governments that demonstrate significant progress toward digital equity; staff said other jurisdictions have contacted them to learn from Lake County’s work.
The presentation noted other operational integrations: pass‑through of plow location data (Samsara) to the PASSAGE website, two‑way data sharing with Waze’s Connected Citizens Program, and public‑facing camera snapshots and route notifications. Staff asked committee members to promote Northstar licenses to local community anchor institutions and said more outreach is planned.
The item was informational; no formal committee action was taken.
