143035 WUS001066 Workbook - Laserfiche WebLink

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What is the role of WSU Extension? In this partnership, WSU Extension is working on behalf of the WSBO to provide technical, operational, and planning funding support for local and Tribal efforts to develop Broadband and Digital Equity Action Plans, which will in- form the State’s Five-Year Action Plan under the BEAD Program and the State Digital Eq- uity Plan under the DEA Program. Each participating BAT and Tribe will be paired with a dedicated Support Team, which in- cludes a Regional Project Coordinator, Project Manager, and dedicated Advisory Support. Additionally, participants will be supported by tools, resources, and expertise provided by WSU Extension and our partners. BATs and Tribes are not required to apply for planning funding support to participate or re- ceive the available technical and operation- al support. However, those that do receive funds will be required to submit the relevant Action Plans. WRITING BROADBAND ACTION AND DIGITAL EQUITY PLANS 2 WSU Extension is the front door to the Uni- versity. Extension builds the capacity of indi- viduals, organizations, businesses and com- munities, empowering them to find solutions for local issues and to improve their quality of life. With a presence in every county in Wash- ington, as well as offices serving the Confed- erated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Kalispel Tribe, Extension has been helping counties and tribes form BATS over the past six years. WSU How To Use This Workbook The Action Plans developed under this program will be provided to WSBO to inform the development of Wash- ington’s Five-Year Action Plan and the State Digital Equity Plan. This Workbook is a program guide developed to support Broadband Action Teams (BATs), County and Tribal Governments in developing Broadband Action Plans and Local Digital Equity Plans. It provides a roadmap for communities to collect data and develop plans that establish a shared understanding of needs and alignment of priorities that creates a foundation for locally-driven solutions to bring the benefits of the Internet. As WSBO undertakes the development and implementation of a statewide plan for broadband and digital equi- ty, local and Tribal input and feedback will be critical to ensure unique realities across our diverse communities are understood and integrated. The plans developed using this Workbook will be provided to WSBO in a manner that will support the development of robust, locally-informed plans for the entire state of Washington, including Tribes located in this area.