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Dear Digital Inclusion Supporter,
The Kalispel Tribal Court Videoconferencing System demonstration and celebration was a great success! The day was a wonderful opportunity to share actionable tips and information about the innovative technology used to create a more efficient and equitable court system. Below, we have shared highlights from the event, and news about potential replication of the system and partnerships within the network of non-profits in rural Washington state. |
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Spotlight On...
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Kalispel Tribal Court Videoconferencing System
Background
The Kalispel Tribal Court's videoconferencing system was implemented in October 2011 at their Cusick and Airway Heights locations. The system, designed by Kalispel Tribal Court Analyst Evin Olson, uses free software that many users are already familiar with - in this case, Skype - and a large, high-definition television monitor connected to a computer with high-speed Internet access. The Kalispel Tribal Court uses existing audio equipment to complete the system. The system facilitates off-site court participation for hearings via videoconference. It has enabled the Kalispel Tribal Court system to operate more efficiently and realize savings on operational costs. As part of this work, the Court established three Public Law and Justice Computing Centers (PLJCC); two located in Cusick and one in Airway Heights. These PLJC Centers make legal information accessible for Kalispel Tribal Court participants and allow the public to more easily navigate the Court system.
As configured, the videoconferencing system did not require specialized technicians. Replication in other rural or suburban sites could lead to cost savings by eliminating the need to transport defendants long distances for court appearances.
Demonstration and Celebration
On June 26, 2012, the Communities Connect Network and the Kalispel Tribal Court celebrated the successful implementation of the Kalispel Tribal Court's videoconferencing system. Tribal Business Council Chair Glen Nenema and other tribal representatives welcomed Sheila Collins from the Governor's Office, State Representative John McCoy, and other government and non-profit representatives.
The event opened with lunch in the conference facilities at the Northern Quest Resort and Casino. Will Saunders, Director of the Washington State Broadband Office, welcomed everyone to the event, and Sheila Collins shared Governor Gregoire's remarks. The group traveled to the nearby Kalispel Tribal Court in Airway Heights. Evin Olson, Kalispel Tribal Court Analyst, connected via Skype to Laura Breeden in Washington, D.C. Laura Breeden is Program Director for the U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. The presentation and demonstration lasted an hour, followed by a lively question and answer period.
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Evin Olson and Representative John McCoy interact with Laura Breeden from the NTIA via
the new videoconferencing system.
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The group reconvened at the Northern Quest Resort and Casino for closing remarks from Representative John McCoy, who described successes and challenges in bringing broadband access to the Tulalip Tribe, located in western Washington state.
The presentation and discussion led to valuable outcomes and potential partnerships in Washington state. Kalispel Tribal Business Council Chair Glen Nenema visualized other opportunities that broadband and the videoconferencing system could lead to for the community, and State Representative John McCoy affirmed his commitment to digital inclusion. To read a press release about the event, go here. To read a short article by David Keyes, the Community Technology Program Manager for the City of Seattle, go here.
Replication of the Kalispel Tribal Court Videoconferencing System
Below is the list of equipment purchased for the videoconferencing system. Already, other non-profits and service providers with similar needs, such as La Casa Hogar, are working with their partners to implement similar systems to better serve their clients.
- 52 inch LCD monitor for videoconferencing
- TV wall mounts
- PA speaker set
- ASUS EEEBox 1501B mini-PCs with HDMI out
- Logitech QuickCam 9000 (for teleconferencing)
- HDMI cables
- Additional RAM for videoconferencing, Corsair 4 GB set (2x2 GB)
- Webcam for confidential site
- Headphones for confidential site
- HP CPU
- 20" LCD Monitor
The total cost for this system is around $2,000.
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| What's New in the Communities Connect Network | |
New Video by Northwest Justice Project
The Northwest Justice Project created its eighth video, titled: "Public Healthcare for Children & Youth in Washington State." This video was produced with Sara Zier, a Staff Attorney and Soros Justice Fellow at TeamChild in Tacoma. It is available at www.WashingtonLawHelp.org.
The video explains the public healthcare benefits available for children and youth who receive some public medical assistance in Washington state. It explains the "Early & Periodic, Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment" (EPSDT) benefits, including how to apply, what is covered, and how to apply for a fair hearing if EPSDT benefits are denied. The video raises awareness about the right for children to receive all medically necessary health care, including regular and preventative care.
The videos have been added to two playlists on NJP's YouTube Channel, both "Public Benefits and Economic Security" and "Youth Advocacy (with TeamChild)."
The videos can be viewed by clicking on the links below:
NJP: Public Healthcare for Children & Youth in Washington State
http://youtu.be/_87qIoEcA3c
NJP: Asistencia Médica Pública para los Niños y Jóvenes en el estado de Washington
http://youtu.be/El1KEf-5yZw
These videos make use of YouTube's unique "annotations" link-button feature. When watching the first 15 seconds of the English version, you can select the Spanish language version by clicking on the red button in the upper right-hand corner and vice-versa. You can also watch NJP's related video about "Fair Hearing Basics" by clicking on the yellow button within the video screen at 3:45 (English) or 6:00 (Spanish).
City of Seattle Announces 2nd Annual Boost Grant Recipients
The City of Seattle's Department of Information Technology has awarded the 2012 Communities Online Boost grant to 15 organizations. After a very competitive review process, the following organizations were selected to receive the 2012 Boost Grants:
- 206 Zulu
- Afrique Service Center
- Backpack Academy
- Coleman Neighborhood Association
- El Centro de la Raza
- El Comite Pro-Reforma Migratoria y Justicia Social
- Feet First
- Pinehurst Community Council
- Powerful Voices
- Raja for Africa
- South Beacon Hill Association
- South Park Area Redevelopment Committee
- Southeast Seattle Education Coalition
- Unified Outreach
- Urban Financial Services Coalition
In 2011, the Department of Information Technology created a grant opportunity for community and neighborhood groups seeking to "boost" their online presence - the Communities Online Boost Grant. Funds of up to $1,000 per organization were used to help enhance the use of online tools for community building and civic engagement. Read a short description of the 2012 Boost grantee projects here.
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| Resources | |
Digital Literacy and Non-Profit Technology
Basic Computer Skills
A training module to develop basic online skills (computer, e-mail, word processing, and web skills).
Digital Placemaking
Site examines social media, smartphones and new Internet technologies as tools for extending your community into the new digital frontier. Content includes how-to's on using new tools and services and profiles of organizations doing innovative work.
Goodwill Community Foundation Learn Free
750 free lessons available to any user, including math and reading curriculum, as well as computer skills.
Google+ for Nonprofits
Google+ helps nonprofits and causes engage with different kinds of contacts in different ways. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find tutorials and links to help you get started.
Digital Literacy Corps
An informal national movement of student volunteers that work to increase digital inclusion and broadband adoption.
Broadband Adoption
US Ignite Partnership
Will catalyze approximately 60 advanced, next-gen applications over the next five years in six areas of national priority: education and workforce development, advanced manufacturing, health, transportation, public safety, and clean energy.
RUS Broadband Grant Program
USDA'S Rural Utilities Service provides programs to finance rural America's telecommunications infrastructure. The Broadband Loan program provides loans to fund the costs of constructing, improving and acquiring facilities to provide broadband service to eligible rural communities.
Broadband for America
Dedicated to ensuring every American citizen has high quality access to the Internet.
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| Capacity Building Opportunities | |
Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County Webinars
The Workforce Development Council of Seattle - King County has worked with their partners to create a series of hands-on workshops on three important topics: Financial Fitness, Using the Self-Sufficiency Calculator, and Job Search Skills in the New Economy. For the first time, these workshops will be offered as webinars and are open to all interested participants.
Job Search Skills in the New Economy: Steps 1-4: The Foundation Skills
August 15, 2012
2:00-3:00 PM Pacific
This webinar will provide participants with a comprehensive job search strategy for the current economy. Hundreds of successful job seekers have used this approach over the last three years. You will learn the four active ingredients of a successful job search today and how to help clients define their career goals. Resources will be provided to assist you in helping job seekers to develop and implement a job search and financial transition plan. This webinar is session one of a two part series and presents steps 1-4 for creating a successful job plan. For more information on session two, visit Job Search Skills: Steps 5-10. The webinar will be presented by Duncan Burgess, Director of WorkSource at South Seattle Community College, and is based on experiences with job seekers and businesses.
Register online for Job Search Skills in the New Economy: Steps 1-4
Job Search Skills in the New Economy: Steps 5-10: Creating Relationships & Getting the Job
August 22, 2012
2:00-3:00 PM Pacific
This webinar will provide participants with an understanding of steps 5-10 of a successful job plan. You will learn the role of your personal brand in developing key relationships with managers that have the ability to hire your clients. Help clients network effectively within their target communities for employment and learn how to create a relationship with hiring managers and how to leverage that relationship into job offers. This webinar is session two of a two part series. Participation or web review of session one is strongly encouraged. Information on session one can be found at Job Search Skills, Steps 1-4. The webinar will be presented by Duncan Burgess, Director of WorkSource at South Seattle Community College, and is based on experiences with job seekers and businesses.
Register online for Job Search Skills in the New Economy: Steps 5-10
Using the Self-Sufficiency Calculator (SSC) for Career and Financial Planning
August 28, 2012
10:00-11:00 AM Pacific
Have you or your customers ever wondered if a specific job or career path will pay enough to cover your expenses? This webinar will introduce the self-sufficiency calculator (SSC), a tool developed to assist job seekers and low-income individuals with career planning and budgeting. The tool calculates expenses in housing, childcare, transportation, health care, and taxes, and provides customized results based on county of residence and family size. Learn how to utilize this tool in real time scenarios and how to test for eligibility for work supports, such as food stamps and subsidized health care. The self-sufficiency calculator (SSC) has been translated into ten different languages and is available publically online. This webinar will be presented by Anna Pavlik, Project Manager at the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County.
Register online for Using the Self-Sufficiency Calculator (SSC) for Career and Financial Planning
Financial Fitness: Financial Tips and Tools for Case Managers
September 10, 2012
10:00-11:00 AM Pacific
This webinar will provide participants with an understanding of key concepts related to financial literacy. Financial literacy has been identified as one of the most crucial skills for clients to gain self-sufficiency and make plans to reach future goals. You will learn how to help clients identify spending leaks, create saving plans, and develop a budget. Resources and tools will be provided that you can use directly with clients. Financial Fitness was originally developed through Port Jobs supported by a pilot project funded by the Paul G Allen Foundation and the National Endowment for Financial Education. This webinar will be presented by Renee Taylor from Pacific Associates.
Register online for Financial Fitness: Financial Tips and Tools for Case Managers
Financial Fitness: Credit Reports and Scores-Your Financial Report Card
September 10, 2012
1:00-2:00 PM Pacific
This webinar will provide participants with an understanding of key concepts related to financial literacy. You will learn the best methods for getting and appropriately using credit, as well as how to evaluate offers of credit. Participants will gain an understanding of the true cost of credit through comparing interest rates on a variety of loan types. Learn how to obtain and assess your credit reports and what factors impact your credit score. Financial Fitness was originally developed by Port Jobs supported by a pilot project funded by the Paul G Allen Foundation and the National Endowment for Financial Education. This webinar will be presented by Becky House from American Financial Solutions.
Register online for Financial Fitness: Credit Reports and Scores-Your Financial Report Card
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About CCN
| Mission: Communities Connect Network (CCN) works to ensure digital inclusion and technology opportunities for all residents of Washington State.
For more information about Communities Connect Network (CCN), please contact Leslie Rae Schmitz, Senior Project Director for Digital Inclusion a t lschmitz@edlabgroup.org or 425.477.4741 x 4778.    |
| About the EdLab Group | 
The EdLab Group is a private, non-profit organization with funding from federal and state governments, private foundations, corporations, and individuals. Our mission is to leverage the power of technology and diversity to transform teaching and learning. We respect your privacy and do not sell, share or allow our list to be viewed by other individuals or companies. For more information about the EdLab Group, visit our website at www.edlabgroup.org. |
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