ConnectHome, an extension of President Obama’s ConnectED program, is designed to provide internet access for children in low-income households. Tampa has been selected as one of the 28 communities across the country to participate in the program, where 1,420 households with children will benefit from this program.
Sprint will supply the internet access to students from approved public housing units for four years. Organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the American Library Association, and The College Board will have internet access and free educational tools like college prep and early learning tools.
Leroy Moore, senior vice president and chief operating officer of the Tampa Housing Authority, said the internet is a key to education, business, job searches and community connection. Computers and the internet should be considered a basic appliance, like a dishwasher or water heater. The housing authority has been involved in a program for several years, called Smart Home Community. It started with a grant from the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program and a partnership with Bright House Networks to provide internet access to families in public housing.
For more information about this program, go to
http://tbo.com/news/politics/tampa-part-of-obama-plan-to-bring-high-speed-internet-to-needy-homes-20150715/
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