Lake County's digital equity team on Aug. 1 reported expansion of its digital navigator program, the hiring of two new navigators and cumulative program metrics showing outreach to residents across the county.

Digital Equity Manager Kaye Crandall and Digital Equity Coordinator Kim Lundt told the Technology Committee the team welcomed two new digital navigators in July and that the navigators are actively working in the community. "We are super excited to welcome 2 new digital navigators to our team," Lundt said.

Staff reported cumulative program metrics since June: 1,913 unique residents served, 1,355 hours of engagement, 1,561 sessions held and 426 devices distributed. The county's "learn to earn" classes run in English and Spanish, and staff use Northstar digital literacy assessments and curriculum. Lundt said the program has issued 1,035 Northstar assessments and that 508 of those have been passed, producing 451 Northstar certificates. The county is also offering 29 Northstar licenses to partner organizations; two licenses have been fully completed and are ready for use.

Crandall said the county is drafting intergovernmental public Wi-Fi agreements and is building partnerships with local libraries and community organizations to host classes. "We use [Northstar] to assess, before they start their learning as well as when they're finished with their learning," Crandall said. Committee members commended the team for rapid program growth and local partnerships.

Staff promoted an August 26 coalition meeting and a September in-person meeting on the College of Lake County Lakeshore campus; they also highlighted a toolkit and license application for organizations that want to host and run Northstar-based digital literacy classes. The county encouraged municipalities and nonprofit partners to apply for licenses and said it will continue in-person and classroom-based navigator services.

The committee praised the work as improving residents' access to services, training and online opportunity; staff said the program will continue to expand partnerships and track outcomes.