Miami Dade College

Project Purpose: Miami Dade College (MDC)'S Weaving Internet Resources Into Economic Development (WIRED) Project Aims to Increase the Number of Underrepresented Minorities in Anchor Communities That Have Access to: (1) Broadband Internet Services and Connectivity Equipment; (2) Digital Literacy Education and Instruction; and (3) Workforce Opportunities in Information Technology Related Careers. Activities: the Miami Dade College (MDC) Wired Project Will Increase Broadband Access by: (a) Linking Eligible Students and Their Households to Subsidized Internet Plans or Providing Mobile Hotspot Devices to Eligible Students That Are Not Able to Access Subsidized Internet Plans; (B) Providing Wi-fi Ready Laptops Through On-campus Lending Libraries; and (C) Expanding and Improving Outside Broadband Through Infrastructure Improvements and Equipment Installation on Campuses Located in the Most Distressed Anchor Communities. Wired Will Improve Digital Literacy in the Anchor Communities by Offering In-person and Online Digital Literacy Workshops Through Partnerships With Public Housing Authorities and Community and Faith-based Organizations. These Workshops Will Focus on Improving Understanding of Safe Use of Internet Resources (websites, Apps, Email, Etc.) and Increasing the Use of the Internet Among Anchor Community Participants for Things Such as Banking and Bill Pay, Interfacing With Healthcare Providers (telehealth), Enrolling in And/or Taking Online Classes, and Shopping. Lastly, to Help Increase Minority Representation in High Demand Occupations in Areas Such as Cybersecurity, MDC Will Offer Residents of Anchor Communities Enrollment Opportunities for First Step Prep, a Boot Camp for Persons Lacking Requisite Computer Competencies. Curriculum Will Be Developed for a 4-WEEK Boot Camp That Will Provide Participants With Competency in the Fundamentals of Networks.outcomes: This Project Will Provide Minority and Anchor Communities With Access to Broadband Connectivity and Training to Increase Digital Skills and Will Promote Economic Development via Additional Opportunities for Education and Employment. as a Result of the Internet Access and Support Activities, Miami Dade College (MDC) Will See an Increase in the Percentage of Eligible Students Receiving Internet Connectivity and an Increase in the Percentage of Students Who Are Retained in Education/training Programs Because of Connectivity. as a Result of the Digital Literacy Workshops, MDC and the Surrounding Anchor Communities Will See an Increase in Understanding of Digital Literacy, an Increase in the Use of Online Resources to Handle Activities (e.g., Banking), and an Increase in the Use of Online Resources to Search for Employment/educational Opportunities. as a Result of the On-ramp Bootcamps for Technology-based Careers, MDC and the Surrounding Anchor Communities Will See an Increase in Individuals Attending Bootcamps and an Increase in the Number of Students Enrolling in Certificate And/or Degree Programs for Technology-based Careers.beneficiaries: the Project Will Directly Impact Miami Dade College Students, Their Households, and Residents in the Surrounding Anchor Communities. in Addition to Providing Services at the North Campus, Hialeah Campus, Padron Campus, Wolfson Campus, Kendall Campus, and Homestead Campus Campuses, Wired Will Connect With Residents and Pell-eligible Students of Anchor Communities Through MDC'S Meek Entrepreneurial Center in the Distressed Liberty City Neighborhood of the City of Miami, Florida and Its Gibson Center, Located in an Economically Depressed Area of Coconut Grove, Also in the City of Miami. Subrecipient Activities (if Applicable): the Recipient Does Not Intend to Subaward Funds.