Advancing Digital Equity Across the North Country Through ConnectALL Grant

Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO), in partnership with Adirondack Health Institute (AHI) and the North Country Digital Inclusion Coalition (NCIDC), is working to strengthen digital inclusion and digital equity across Northern New York through support from New York State’s ConnectALL Digital Equity Program Capacity Grant.

The initiative, known as North Country Connect-to-Tech (NC2T), is designed to help residents gain access to the internet, devices, technical support, and digital skills needed to successfully navigate technology in today’s connected world. The project supports New York State’s broader digital equity strategy by investing in local organizations, partnerships, and community-based solutions that can sustainably expand digital opportunities for residents.

Digital equity means ensuring that all residents, especially those in rural, underserved, or historically marginalized communities, have the tools, connectivity, support, and skills they need to access education, employment, healthcare, government services, and community resources online.

Digital inclusion is the work that makes digital equity possible. It includes efforts to expand affordable, reliable internet access; improve access to computers and other connected devices; provide trusted technical assistance; and build digital literacy, privacy, and online safety skills.

About the North Country Digital Inclusion Coalition

AHI and FDRHPO established the North Country Digital Inclusion Coalition to bring together healthcare providers, telehealth specialists, community leaders, telecommunications experts, broadband advocates, library systems, and other partners committed to closing the digital divide.

The Coalition builds on regional telehealth work by identifying barriers that healthcare providers and residents face when accessing digital services, especially in rural communities. Its work focuses on practical, sustainable strategies that make telehealth, online resources, and essential digital tools more accessible and affordable across the region.

The North Country Digital Inclusion Coalition works across seven Northern New York counties: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence.

The Coalition focuses on populations most affected by the digital divide, including low-income households, older adults, veterans, people with disabilities, rural residents, and formerly incarcerated individuals.

For these residents, limited access to reliable internet, digital devices, or technology support can create barriers to critical services, education, job opportunities, healthcare, and connection to their community.

Through the ConnectALL Grant, North Country Connect to Tech will strengthen the region’s digital equity ecosystem by supporting partnerships, expanding services, and helping residents build confidence using technology in everyday life.

The grant will support strategies that address digital literacy and skills, digital privacy and security, targeted accessibility, and collaborative approaches to reaching residents who face the greatest barriers to digital access. The Coalition will work to:

• Deploy digital navigators and trusted local support to help residents access online services and technology resources.

• Provide personalized digital literacy training, including support for telehealth, essential computer skills, software use, and everyday online tasks.

• Increase awareness of affordable connectivity options, devices, and regional digital inclusion resources.

• Strengthen collaboration among healthcare, community, education, broadband, and library partners to create sustainable digital equity solutions across the North Country.

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New York State’s ConnectALL Office has identified digital equity as a key strategy for improving access to digital literacy, job readiness, affordable internet and devices, digital privacy and safety, and accessible government services.

“Digital access is no longer optional,” said Pat Fontana, Deputy Director at FDRHPO. “It is essential for health, education, employment, and connection. Through North Country Connect to Tech, we are working with partners across the region to ensure residents have the connectivity, devices, skills, and support they need to thrive.”

For more information, visit www.fdrhpo.org/.