MDEC Digital Equity Grant Planning Webinar Series

This webinar will be conducted on March 12, 2025, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET

Host: Ronnie Hammond & Vishnupriya Desai (Maryland Office of Statewide Broadband)

Focus & Goals

This session will provide an overview of Maryland's Digital Opportunity Grant Programs and how the NTIA Digital Equity Capacity Grant funds will support five key digital equity initiatives:

1. Digital Equity Planning & Outreach – Identifying and addressing digital equity needs.
2. Digital Education – Expanding digital literacy programs.
3. Digital Navigation – Enhancing one-on-one tech support services.
4. Community Technology Resources – Funding public computer labs and device distribution.
5. Connecting Underserved Communities – Infrastructure investments to close the digital divide.

Agenda

1. 1:00 – 1:10 PM | Welcome & Introduction
2. 1:10 – 1:30 PM | Understanding the Grant Application Process
3. 1:30 – 1:50 PM | Tracking Metrics for Grant Impact
4. 1:50 – 2:00 PM | Q&A + Next Steps

Key Takeaways

1. Clear understanding of Maryland’s Digital Opportunity Grants
2. Guidance on eligibility & application process
3. Best practices for tracking grant metrics

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This webinar will be conducted on March 26, 2025, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET.

Focus & Goals

This session will highlight digital skills training in rural Maryland and how to integrate these programs into workforce development and regional partnerships.

Agenda

1. 1:00 – 1:10 PM | Welcome & Rural Digital Equity Overview
2. 1:10 – 1:30 PM | Case Studies: Digital Skills Training in Rural Maryland
3. 1:30 – 1:45 PM | Bridging the Digital Workforce Divide
4. 1:45 – 2:00 PM | Q&A + Collaboration & Grant Funding Discussion

Key Takeaways

1. Grant opportunities for rural digital skills programs
2. Strategies for collaboration with workforce programs 

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This webinar will be conducted on April 9, 2025, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET.

Focus & Goals

This session will highlight digital skills as a workforce development imperative and address barriers for low-income individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, and those with language barriers.

Agenda

1. 1:00 – 1:10 PM | Overview of Digital Workforce Development Grants
2. 1:10 – 1:30 PM | Digital Skills Training for Underserved Populations
3. 1:30 – 1:50 PM | Addressing Workforce Digital Literacy Challenges
4. 1:50 – 2:00 PM | Q&A + Next Steps

Key Takeaways

1. How digital skills training supports economic mobility
2. Best practices for engaging underrepresented communities

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This webinar will be conducted on April 23, 2025, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET.

Focus & Goals

This session will focus on digital skills training for specialized workforce populations, including veterans, individuals with disabilities, older adults, and formerly incarcerated individuals.

Agenda

1. 1:00 – 1:10 PM | Digital Equity for Specialized Workforce Populations
2. 1:10 – 1:30 PM | Workforce Digital Skills Training Strategies
3. 1:30 – 1:50 PM | Partnering with Community-Based Organizations
4. 1:50 – 2:00 PM | Q&A + Next Steps

Key Takeaways

1. Best practices for engaging specialized workforce populations

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This webinar will be conducted on May 7, 2025, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET.

Focus & Goals

This session will explore how digital skills training and technology can enhance the lives of older adults by supporting social engagement, lifelong learning, workforce participation, and healthcare access.

Agenda

1. 1:00 – 1:10 PM | Welcome & The Role of Digital Inclusion for Older Adults
2. 1:10 – 1:30 PM | Digital Literacy Training for Seniors
3. 1:30 – 1:50 PM | Health Technology & Digital Access for Older Adults
4. 1:50 – 2:00 PM | Q&A + Next Steps

Key Takeaways

1. Bridging the digital divide for older adults
2. How digital literacy training supports seniors in accessing healthcare, social services, and online resources
3. Grant funding opportunities for senior digital inclusion programs

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This webinar will be conducted on May 21, 2025, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET. 

Focus & Goals

This session will explore how digital inclusion programs support people with disabilities in employment, education, and daily life.

Agenda

1. 1:00 – 1:10 PM | Welcome & Overview of Digital Inclusion for People with Disabilities
2. 1:10 – 1:30 PM | Digital Training & Workforce Programs for People with Disabilities
3. 1:30 – 1:50 PM | Assistive Technology & Digital Access Solutions
4. 1:50 – 2:00 PM | Q&A + Next Steps

Key Takeaways

1. Addressing digital accessibility barriers for individuals with disabilities
2. Assistive technology tools that help people with disabilities navigate the digital world
3. Grant opportunities for disability inclusion programs

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This webinar will be conducted on May 28, 2025, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET.

 Host: Josh Bokee

Focus & Goals

This session will focus on teaching AI awareness in digital literacy programs and how AI connects to workforce development, digital security, and accessibility.

Agenda

1. 1:00 – 1:10 PM | Welcome & Overview
2. 1:10 – 1:30 PM | Teaching AI Awareness in Digital Literacy Programs
3. 1:30 – 1:50 PM | AI & Workforce Readiness
4. 1:50 – 2:00 PM | Q&A + Next Steps

Key Takeaways

1. Detecting AI to prevent scams & misinformation
2. Integrating AI literacy into digital skills training
3. AI-driven job opportunities and workforce readiness
4. Barriers to AI training and solutions for accessibility

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