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Digital Equity Act Programs The combined funding pool of $2.75 billion for the Digital Equity Act established two programs – the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant and Digital Equity Competitive Grant Programs. Both programs aim to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital so- ciety. The NTIA established a partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau to determine the allocation of funding to each state. WRITING BROADBAND ACTION AND DIGITAL EQUITY PLANS 6 Covered Populations in the Digital Equity Act The Digital Equity Act Programs are designed to prioritize programs that serve the following “Covered Popula- tions.” In reaching these Covered Populations, you should begin by reaching out to the entities that serve those populations, rather than reaching out directly to those populations. → Populations whose income is under 150% of the federal poverty level → Aging Individuals → Incarcerated, or formerly incarcerated, individuals → Veterans → Individuals with disabilities → Individuals of racial or ethnic minority groups → Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area → Individuals with a language barrier, including those who are English learners, or have low levels of literacy Role of Local Digital Equity Plans The local digital equity plans developed using this Workbook will be useful for both Digital Equity Act programs, however they are specifically designed for the state grant. The State Digital Equity Plan and the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant proposal will directly inform how DEA funds are implemented in the state of Washington. Throughout the entire planning process, WSBO will rely on robust local, Tribal, and stakeholder coordination to inform the development of statewide plans and ensure the The Washington State Legislature has also identified “Underserved Populations” in HB 1723 which must be considered in state digital equity planning. The Underserved Populations include the Covered Populations identified in IIJA and additionally include: → Children and youth in foster care → Individuals experiencing housing instability This Workbook is designed to support the development of local digital equity plans that provide a foundation of local understanding for digital equity planning in Washington. Therefore, the local plans will include these Underserved Populations in the planning for Covered Populations.