Digital opportunity is critical for civic and cultural participation, employment, lifelong learning, and access to essential services. As access to affordable broadband becomes a reality through various state and federal programs, the necessary digital literacy and skill sets need to be enhanced to ensure Kansans can fully utilize the soon-to-be enabled affordable broadband internet access.
From November 18 to 5 p.m. on November 20th, 2024
Digital Opportunities to Connect Kansans (DOCK) Program to enhance digital literacy and digital skill sets for Kansans. A total of $4.75 million will be awarded to applications that best advance digital skills within Kansas. This second round of applications for this program will enable Kansans to obtain the digital literacy and associated skills necessary to live, learn, work, play and compete equitably in a technology-driven society.
“It’s not enough to expand high-speed internet across Kansas – we must also show Kansans of all ages and backgrounds how to make the internet a useful tool in their everyday lives. These funds will provide the devices and skills training to help every Kansan benefit from our investments to make high-speed internet available in their local communities.”
Governor Laura Kelly
Digital Opportunities to Connect Kansans 2.0 (DOCK)
The Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) under the Kansas Department of Commerce was established to help ensure all Kansans have the opportunity to live, work, play, learn and compete in a global economy by improving universal access to quality, reliable and affordable broadband. Complementing the efforts surrounding improving universal access to all Kansans, the KOBD recently published the Kansas Digital Equity (DE) Plan that supports Kansans and associated communities in developing the technology capacity needed for full participation in our society and economy. In order to achieve the vision and goals for digital equity, key measurable objectives were established to guide KOBD’s efforts to close the digital equity gap in Kansas. These include:
The Digital Opportunities to Connect Kansans (DOCK) program aims to elevate digital literacy and skills training in Kansas, prioritizing covered populations in economically distressed areas. With a total funding of $1.9 million, individual awards may reach $250,000. Successful applications will require a 2% minimum match. The initiative spans from September 12, 2024, to July 31, 2026, and is funded by the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
October 8 Guidelines Webinar
To support additional applications for DOCK round 2, please review a technical assistance webinar. It covers the following:
Reporting Information
To report suspected fraud, waste or abuse contact the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Inspector General Office of Investigations.
The objective of the Digital Opportunities to Connect Kansans (DOCK) 2.0 Program administered through the KOBD is to enhance digital literacy and skills training in Kansas. DOCK 2.0 Program applications will be accepted with priority given to applications that serve the covered population in economically distressed areas. Applicants are expected to engage community leaders and stakeholders in the development of projects that will benefit Kansas citizens and communities. Key information for the program is as follows:
DOCK 2.0 Program Timeline
Specific DOCK 2.0 Program Timeline Milestones:
KOBD reserves the right to modify the program timeline after the program guidelines are posted as well as request additional information regarding applications throughout the application review period.
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must have a demonstrated history in the planning and delivery of digital literacy and skills development training capabilities at no charge to targeted populations. Required capabilities include but are not limited to:
Eligible applicants include:
The applicant must be an established organization that has been operating for a minimum of one (1) year in the State of Kansas as of October 8, 2024.
Eligible Solutions
Eligible digital literacy and skills development solutions include, but are not limited to, the following:
FAQ’s
DOCK 2.0 Frequently Asked Questions
10/31/24
FAQ’s
DOCK 2.0 Frequently Asked Questions
11/8/2024
Eligible Program Costs
Eligible project expenses are expenses related to directly enabling digital literacy and skills training and include, but are not limited to, items such as:
Computer equipment, accessories and software may be purchased to augment current digital literacy and skills development capabilities. However, computer equipment, accessories and software may not exceed 30% of the submitted budget as the DOCK 2.0 Program is not intended to become an equipment distribution program. All equipment, accessory and software plans and associated purchases must be approved by KOBD prior to orders being placed. Subrecipients will own and maintain the computer equipment, accessories, and software.
Subrecipients must have an effective asset management plan and/or system that must include, but is not limited to, the following:
Grant expenses must be incurred, and funds expended during the project period per the official grant agreement. Funds may be used for costs incurred after September 12, 2024, subject to approval. All funds must be expended by July 31, 2026.
Ineligible Program Costs
Ineligible costs include, but are not limited to:
Adoption Efforts
Adoption goes beyond access to high-speed internet and speaks to the ability of individuals and communities to harness access for quality-of-life implications. These efforts may include digital literacy training, low-income assistance programs (for equipment and/or broadband service), partnerships with co-working or entrepreneurship organizations, awareness or marketing campaigns, service provision to community anchor institutions, and/or additional programming, along with other programs designed to meet the needs of the local community.
Applicant Match
The funds that the applicant is contributing to the project is represented as a percent of total project costs. The minimum applicant match is 2% for the DOCK 2.0 program. At the time of application submission, the applicant must demonstrate available cash reserves in an account(s) of the applicant equal to at least the minimum applicant match. Matching funds must be used solely for the Project and shall not include any financial assistance from federal sources unless there is a federal statutory exception specifically authorizing the federal financial assistance to be considered as such. An applicant must provide evidence of its ability to comply with this requirement in its application (www.ecfr.gov).
Broadband
Broadband (or high-speed internet) access allows users to access the internet and internet-related services at much higher speeds than those available through “dial-up” services. Broadband speeds vary significantly depending on the technology and level of service ordered. For additional information, visit the source of this information: Getting Broadband Q&A | Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov).
Budget and Financial Requirements
An explanation of costs that corresponds with the information included in the project budget spreadsheet. The information should also explain the necessity and basis for costs and reflect only allowable costs consistent with the project scope. Content must include the last (1) year of the organization’s tax returns and/or 990s if the organization is a non-profit entity.
Career Cluster
A collection of jobs with shared characteristics and efforts, such as industry and objective. There are 16 career clusters defined by the National Career Clusters Framework, which is a framework used by many schools and state agencies. Additional career cluster information can be found at the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/career-clusters.htm) and the Advance CTE (https://careertech.org/what-we-do/career-clusters/) websites.
Co-Investment
Committed funds to the project provided by an individual(s) or organization(s) within the benefitted community, other than the applicant.
Community Anchor Institution
Community Anchor Institutions are schools, libraries, medical and healthcare providers, public safety entities, community colleges and other institutions of higher education, and other community support organizations and agencies that provide outreach, access, equipment, and support services to facilitate greater use of broadband service by vulnerable populations, including low-income, unemployed, and the aged (www.usac.org).
Community Support (Narrative)
Community partners associated with the project planning, promotion, and adoption includes the description of each party’s commitment and role in the project. It also includes any involvement by Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) including municipalities, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, libraries, public safety, businesses, non-profits, and or other community stakeholders.
Covered Populations
Covered populations: Identify if covered populations will benefit from the proposed project. Covered populations include low-income individuals, aging individuals; incarcerated individuals active in reentry, second chance or related programs, other than those incarcerated in a Federal correctional facility; veterans; individuals with disabilities; individuals with a language barrier, including individuals who – (i) are English learners; and (ii) have low levels of literacy; individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group; tribal nations, and individuals who primarily reside in a rural area.
Digital Equity
A condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy.
Digital Literacy
The ability to leverage current technologies, such as smartphones and laptops, and Internet access to perform research, create content and interact with the world.
Digital Navigator
Trusted guides who assist community members in internet adoption and the use of computing devices. Digital navigation services include ongoing assistance with affordable internet access, device acquisition, technical skills, and application support.
Digital Skills
Any skills related to operating digital devices (mobile phone, tablet, laptop computer, desktop computer, etc.) or taking advantage of digital resources.
Economically Distressed Community
KOBD will consider an area economically distressed if either the 2022 per capita BEA PCPI or PCMI metric is below the 80% threshold. The Kansas counties meeting this definition are in the table below:
| Table 2: Economically Distressed Counties in Kansas | |||
| Allen | Elk | Leavenworth | Rice |
| Anderson | Ellsworth | Lincoln | Riley |
| Atchison | Finney | Linn | Rooks |
| Barber | Ford | Lyon | Rush |
| Barton | Franklin | Marion | Russell |
| Bourbon | Geary | Marshall | Saline |
| Brown | Graham | Montgomery | Scott |
| Chase | Grant | Morris | Seward |
| Chautauqua | Greenwood | Morton | Sherman |
| Cherokee | Hamilton | Neosho | Stafford |
| Clark | Harper | Norton | Stevens |
| Clay | Harvey | Osage | Sumner |
| Cloud | Haskell | Osborne | Washington |
| Comanche | Jackson | Ottawa | Wilson |
| Cowley | Jewell | Pawnee | Woodson |
| Crawford | Kearny | Pratt | Wyandotte |
| Dickinson | Kingman | Rawlins | |
| Doniphan | Kiowa | Reno | |
| Edwards | Labette | Republic | |
The counties listed above can also be found at the Stats America website via http://www.statsameri-ca.org/distress/distress.aspx.
Eligible Broadband Infrastructure Program Applicants
Applicants that are authorized to provide broadband services in the proposed area. Eligible applicants include:
KBOR
Kansas Board of Regents.
Letters of Commitment / Support
Explicit commitments and roles of committed partners and letters of support.
Partnership
A formal relationship between two or more parties that enter into an agreement for the sake of advancing broadband enablement or digital equity.
Project
An applicant’s proposal.
Project Justification
Narrative to justify the need for a project and relevant data indicators to support the effort. Narrative must include:
Project Milestones
A project planning tool that is used to mark a point in a project schedule. Project milestones can note the start and finish of a project, mark the completion of a major phase of work or anything that’s worth highlighting in a project, such as the production of project deliverables. Milestones help project teams coordinate their efforts by helping everybody understand the objectives of the project and the action steps that must be taken to achieve them.
Project Plan
A project plan includes information on each stage of the project, covers the entire project period, and aligns with the proposed budget. The plan contents include an executive summary, narrative overview, goals, proposed target critical need communities, partners, stakeholders, intended impact, digital literacy training, short and long-term benefit to the covered populations within communities.
Scalability
The capacity to change the size or scale of the program to achieve substantially higher impact with minimal to no investment.
Service Partners
Organizational partners that provide key services that assist in implementing project deliverables for the overall program.
Veterans
A person who served in the active military, naval, air, or space service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.
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