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Authority hears proposal for after-school '2 program' to address digital divide at housing sites
Summary
An educator proposed an after-school program to teach digital skills and provide homework help to children living in authority properties; commissioners asked about licensing, fingerprinting and parental involvement before committing to the program.
The board heard a presentation on April 1 from Suzanne Johnson, who proposed a neighborhood after-school program called the "2 program" to address the digital divide among children living on authority properties.
Johnson described the program's goals as providing internet-literacy training, supervised computer access, homework help, socialization and a positive rewards system. "This program has been created to educate, enlighten, and engage students with the youth within the community," she told the board. Johnson said the program would start as an after-school program in the authority's community room a couple of times a week, scale by interest, and involve parents in setup and oversight. She emphasized parental permission, background checks for adults working with children, and running the program under the authority's auspices rather than as an external provider.
Commissioners asked about age groups, scheduling and security: Johnson said sessions could be tailored for different ages from elementary through high school and that the authority's on-site hub would control access while staff identify funding to expand connectivity. Commissioner Blevins and other board members raised licensing and fingerprinting requirements for after-school programs; Johnson and authority staff said instructors would undergo background checks and that the authority would ensure compliance with applicable state requirements.
Chairperson Wright and staff said they would work with program leads and Commissioner Blevins and return with a written proposal, including a plan for staffing, fingerprinting/background checks and any required licensure. Commissioner Blevins said he would coordinate with staff to fast-track implementation if compliance items are satisfied.
The board did not take formal action at this meeting. The authority intends to receive a written proposal and to follow up with a plan for next steps and timing.
