State gets $4.8M from fed. to bolster digital skills, wrap-around services

The state’s libraries plan on using federal grant money to add digital specialists to the Delaware Libraries Social Innovation Team, which helps Delawareans with social services like finding housing and jobs, applying for healthcare, becoming financially literate, and more.  

“The Delaware Libraries Social Innovation Team holds Open Labs in public libraries throughout the state for individuals seeking just-in-time assistance with online registrations, job applications, social services, teleservices, and much more,” said Annie Norman, director of the Delaware Division of Libraries.

Ongoing training is also offered to support digital literacy and use of devices and applications, she said. 

As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s approval and recommendations for $68 million nationally as part of the Digital Equity Capacity Grant, the First State will receive $4.8 million. 

“As we use federal infrastructure funds to connect everyone in our state to high-speed internet, we also need to make sure Delawareans have both the skills and equipment to get the most benefit,” said Gov. John Carney in a press release. “This Digital Equity funding will help us do just that, with a focus on traditionally underserved communities.”

The state will invest in job training for Delawareans, Carney said, to pursue technology careers, as well as invest in supports at the state’s libraries and community organizations.

Delaware will use the $4.8 million for:

• Digital navigators and assistants to help library patrons build their digital skills and locate needed services.
• The Delaware Department of Labor will offer training to the IT industry in wrap-around services for eligible clients and will market the program.

The labor department’s wrap-around services connect people to jobs, resources, monetary benefits, workplace protections, and labor market information to promote financial independence, workplace justice, and a strong economy.

According to Christina Dirksen, strategic communications manager at the Department of Technology and Information, over 5 years, the funding will be used as follows:

• $1.9m for digital navigators placed in Delaware libraries and development of a statewide data system to track the use and performance of digital skill learning services.
• $897,500 for workforce training with wraparound services to overcome barriers to participation in training for high-demand tech jobs.
• $270,000 for an assistive technology library specifically for computer and internet usage and video translation services for ELL workers with disabilities.
• $1m for competitive Delaware Digital Equity grants for nonprofits to address elements of the State Digital Equity Plan according to the needs they see in their communities.