An official website of the Cuyahoga County government. Here’s how you know
County Donates 300 Hotspots to Reduce the Digital Divide
Contacts:
Miranda Kortan: (216) 502-5087; mkortan@cuyahogacounty.us
Cuyahoga County Partners with CMSD and AT&T to Provide Hotspots to Children without Internet Access
CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – Cuyahoga County is taking action to reduce the digital divide in our community. County Executive Armond Budish announced today that the County is donating 300 hotspots to Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) to distribute to students without internet access.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the digital divide in Cuyahoga County. We know that almost 25 percent of homes in the County lack in-home internet access of any kind, and the children without internet access and computers will struggle to access resources to continue their education while schools are closed,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish. “We are committed to giving all our kids an equal chance to continue learning.”
“We are very grateful to the County,” said CMSD Chief Executive Officer Eric Gordon. “We are doing all we can to keep children engaged in learning during this difficult time. The generous contribution of 300 hotspots and other steps taken by the County help us make sure that as many students as possible have digital connections.”
The hotspots were provided by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections and were scheduled to be used for the March in person primary election. The hotspots will be replaced for the November election.
The County worked with AT&T to identify a plan to provide wi-fi access for free for approximately two months for each of the hotspots. CMSD will distribute the hotspots to students.
The County is also working with Secure Recycling to provide Chromebooks with the hotspots for students to use through the end of the school year.
The County has created maps for each of the CMSD meal pick-up locations that identify places where public wi-fi is available nearby. Handouts were provided to CMSD to go out during their meal pick-ups. The handouts include a reminder on social distancing and using public wi-fi safely.
Miranda Kortan: (216) 502-5087; mkortan@cuyahogacounty.us
Cuyahoga County Partners with CMSD and AT&T to Provide Hotspots to Children without Internet Access
CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – Cuyahoga County is taking action to reduce the digital divide in our community. County Executive Armond Budish announced today that the County is donating 300 hotspots to Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) to distribute to students without internet access.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the digital divide in Cuyahoga County. We know that almost 25 percent of homes in the County lack in-home internet access of any kind, and the children without internet access and computers will struggle to access resources to continue their education while schools are closed,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish. “We are committed to giving all our kids an equal chance to continue learning.”
“We are very grateful to the County,” said CMSD Chief Executive Officer Eric Gordon. “We are doing all we can to keep children engaged in learning during this difficult time. The generous contribution of 300 hotspots and other steps taken by the County help us make sure that as many students as possible have digital connections.”
The hotspots were provided by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections and were scheduled to be used for the March in person primary election. The hotspots will be replaced for the November election.
The County worked with AT&T to identify a plan to provide wi-fi access for free for approximately two months for each of the hotspots. CMSD will distribute the hotspots to students.
The County is also working with Secure Recycling to provide Chromebooks with the hotspots for students to use through the end of the school year.
The County has created maps for each of the CMSD meal pick-up locations that identify places where public wi-fi is available nearby. Handouts were provided to CMSD to go out during their meal pick-ups. The handouts include a reminder on social distancing and using public wi-fi safely.
