State program staff reviewed an incoming U.S. Department of the Treasury grant to distribute tablets, laptops, desktops and related equipment to Massachusetts organizations and public-access sites, saying the program is intended to expand access for education, health and workforce development.

Program staff said the application process will require a project narrative and that applicants must demonstrate how devices will serve at least one of the three priority areas. The presenter said the program "é totalmente gratuito para vocês" and emphasized that recipients must make devices available without cost to the public rather than reserve them for internal company use.

Staff listed eligible applicants as municipalities, state agencies, tribal nations, nonprofit organizations, health agencies, accredited education providers, libraries, career centers and other community organizations based in Massachusetts. Sites may operate public access stations or loan devices to residents for education, work or health-related uses; staff said loan terms are set by the recipient organization and must be tracked.

Equipment available includes Dell Latitude laptops, Chromebooks, tablets, two desktop classes (standard and higher-end for graphic/technical work), monitors, keyboards, mice, headsets and peripherals such as chargers, charging stations, printers, projectors and smartboards. Staff described included software and protections (Microsoft Business on desktops/laptops, security software Deep Freeze for public-use devices) and noted differing warranty lengths (Chromebooks one year; desktops not covered by the three-year warranty that applies to other devices).

Applicants may request between 30 and 500 devices per organizational application; an umbrella or lead organization may apply for up to 500 devices on behalf of partner sites but must describe distribution responsibilities and reporting for those partners. Staff reiterated a 30-unit minimum per individual organizational application and offered to connect smaller organizations with partners to meet that threshold.

Reporting requirements include quarterly submissions with five core items (how many people used devices, issues encountered, a brief narrative, future plans/projections and impact reporting at the program's end). Staff said quarterly reporting begins with the April–June quarter, with a first report due in July of the next year. Recipients will maintain custody of the devices through Dec. 30, 2026, and staff said the program may reclaim devices if they are not used as required.

Program staff addressed connectivity questions: devices do not arrive preloaded with cellular hotspots; staff suggested Lifeline and other connectivity resources as possible supplements. Staff also noted program scoring includes a maximum of 100 points and possible extra points (about 20) for applicants in designated communities; additional points are available for recycling, repairs and donations tied to local need.

During a live question-and-answer session, childcare and early-education providers asked how to reconcile public-access rules with classroom needs. One provider who identified herself as representing a child-care system described operating multiple sites and providing on-site training; staff responded that devices may be used with children but must also be made available to the broader community and that organizations should document how access will be allocated and tracked.

Staff closed by saying the session was recorded, that materials and a prior-session link will be shared, and that participants should contact Keyla or the presenter with questions or for help forming partnerships to meet the minimum order. Staff encouraged applicants to submit early to allow time for feedback on application requirements and to resolve technical issues before the deadline.