Broadband Expansion Initiatives

On Monday, President Biden announced “…commitments from 20 leading internet providers — covering more than 80% of the U.S. population across urban, suburban, and rural areas — to either increase speeds or cut prices, making sure they all offer ACP-eligible households high-speed, high-quality internet plans for no more than $30/month.” The announcement is a component of the Affordable Connectivity Program, established as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, enacted last November. 

The pandemic dramatically accelerated societal dependence on internet access for success at work, school and access to services including physical and mental health care. However, even as broadband infrastructure has expanded substantially, inequalities remain. For example, according to the Pew Research Center, 92% of households with an average income of $75,000 or higher have broadband access at home; for those making $30,000 or less annually, that figure drops to 57%.

The infrastructure act includes a $65 billion investment in broadband expansion and access support, with $14.2 billion designated specifically for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Among the components of the $14.2 billion allocation strategy is $30/month in benefits to qualifying low-income households with approximately 11.5 million individuals enrolled. The commitment announced Monday from internet providers, along with the $30 subsidy to households already in place through the Affordable Connectivity Program, means eligible households will have access to no cost internet plans. 

Meanwhile, the infrastructure bill also directs state governments to require private companies to offer a “low-cost option” to qualify for federal funds designated for broadband expansion to underserved areas. The legislation does not provide clarification on the meaning of “low-cost” and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (Department of Commerce) has the authority under the infrastructure act to reject proposed plans for not meeting the requirement. Conflicts between providers and consumer advocate organizations have risen across the states as policymakers navigate the uncertain terrain.

Left unsaid in Monday’s announcement is what impact, if any, the national agreement with providers will have on the mandate that state governments ensure “low-cost option” plans.

For more federal resources for state and local government broadband expansion efforts, click here.

State Initiatives to Combat Human Trafficking: New York

By Matthew George

Human trafficking is a prominent issue in all 50 states. The COVID-19 pandemic coincided with an increase in trafficking victims, escalating from 11,500 situations in 2019 to 16,658 the following year.[i]  Many states have proposed legislation to increase criminal penalties for traffickers and protections and civil remedies for those victimized by trafficking. Some states have taken steps to increase funding provided to survivors, increase public awareness and coordinate efforts across state agencies, including transit agencies.

During state legislative sessions in 2021-22, 944 bills were introduced across the U.S. In New York, 55 bills were introduced with 25 enacted. One of those bills, Assembly Bill 3331, requires law enforcement and district attorney offices to advise human trafficking victims of the availability of social and legal services[ii]. Agencies will offer voluntary services, providing an opportunity to connect victims with program providers. This program amends a bill enacted in 2020 enabling the Survivors of Trafficking Attaining Relief Together (START) Act, providing greater protection for survivors of human trafficking, including clearing records of past convictions resulting from exploitation.[iii] NYN Media reports over 100 organizations in support of the bill, additionally reporting that “race, poverty, gender identity, sexual orientation, and immigration status” contribute to those criminalized by traffickers. Additionally, criminal records worsen barriers to “housing, education, employment, childcare, and healthcare.” [iv] In a statement from state Senate sponsor Jessica Ramos, she says the bill will increase the “visibility around the structural challenges experienced by trans and gender-nonconforming New Yorkers” and the START Act gives “survivors of trafficking a fresh start,” prompting new opportunities for employment, access to legal remedies and “break cycles of trauma for thousands of survivors” across the state.

In addition, New York policymakers recently introduced two bills designed to improve recognition technology and criminal rights for those engaging in human trafficking. Senate Bill 736 would require all employees of private transportation services to undergo a standardized human-trafficking recognition program established by the Division of Criminal Justice Services and the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Both departments work in consultation with the Department of Transportation and the New York State Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking.[v] The bill is sponsored by Alessandra Biaggi and has bipartisan support in the Assembly and Senate. It was referred to the Social Services Committee January 5, 2022.

Senate Bill 6821 “Directs the commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to establish a sex trafficking awareness and prevention program to provide education and awareness literature and educational materials to all drivers with a commercial motor vehicle license.”[vi] The bill was assigned to the Transportation Committee January 5, 2022.

Senator Persaud, who is Chair of the Senate Social Services Committee of New York State, says “The State of New York continues to have a significantly high number of human trafficking cases reported. S.6821 was drafted to reflect the critical role of New York’s motor vehicle and transport regulators, and the broader transport sector, in combatting trafficking.” New York is an example of how states are attempting to address human trafficking.

[i]    Polaris. (2022, January 11).  Myths, facts, and Statistics. Polaris Project., from https://polarisproject.org/myths-facts-and-statistics/

[ii] NY State Assembly Bill 3331. (2022, January 22). NY State Assembly. Retrieved from https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/A3331

[iii]Willbanks, D. (2021, November 22). New York State becomes a national leader in providing survivors of trafficking real justice. Citizen Action of New York. Retrieved from https://citizenactionny.org/2021/11/16/new-york-state-becomes-a-national-leader-in-providing-survivors-of-trafficking-real-justice/

[iv] Ortega, R. R. (2021, November 18). New law allows human trafficking survivors to clear their records. NYN Media. Retrieved, from https://nynmedia.com/content/new-law-allows-human-trafficking-survivors-clear-their-records

[v] NY State Senate Bill 736. (2022, January 6). NY State Senate. Retrieved from https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/S736

[vi] NY State Senate Bill 6821. (2022, January 6). NY State Senate. Retrieved from https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/S6821

Associates in Action: Western Governors University and North Dakota Community Colleges Formalize Partnership for Affordable Education

Western Governors University (WGU), a non-profit online university and CSG Associate, signed a memorandum of understanding on March 17 with the North Dakota University System’s five community colleges. The agreement will provide graduates and staff of Bismarck State College, Dakota College at Bottineau, Lake Region State College, North Dakota State College of Science and Williston State College with an affordable pathway to earning their bachelor’s or master’s degrees through WGU. The institution offers over 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs covering business, IT, K-12 teacher education and health professions including nursing.

In addition, students transferring from North Dakota community colleges to WGU will now be eligible to apply for scholarships including WGU’s Community College Partner Scholarship Program and Online Access Scholarship. The Community College Scholarship Program is valued at up to $2,500 and is applied to WGU’s low, flat-rate tuition of about $3,800 per six-month term – making educational expenses even more accessible. Meanwhile, applicants in need who lack access to affordable, high-speed internet can receive a stipend for internet installation, monthly internet access costs for the duration of study and devices.

“We are delighted to provide continuing education options to the graduates and staff of North Dakota Community Colleges,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Regional Vice President of Western Governors University. “WGU values the important role community colleges play in upskilling the workforce and is pleased to provide North Dakota residents with pathways to higher education and career advancement.”

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum first announced the memorandum of understanding between North Dakota Community Colleges’ five presidents and WGU during his 2022 State of the State Address. During his speech, Governor Burgum highlighted the crucial need to provide North Dakotans with access to high-quality education to prepare for in-demand careers that will strengthen and diversify the state’s economy.

“In North Dakota, we’re focused on ensuring that every resident can thrive in the 21st century economy and reach their fullest potential,” Governor Burgum said. “To be successful, we must be better at aligning our degree offerings with the needs of North Dakota businesses. This new partnership with Western Governors University will provide North Dakotans with seamless access to one of the nation’s most innovative higher education institutions to continue their education as they pursue their career goals and pathways to opportunity.”

WGU’s connection to North Dakota stretches back to the university’s founding in 1997, when then-Governor Ed Shafer joined 18 other U.S. governors in a mission to expand access to exceptional, affordable higher education by signing WGU’s charter. Since then, WGU has become the leading national competency-based university, making it possible for students to accelerate degree progress on subjects they know well to save both time and money. The university now serves more than 131,000 students nationwide and has more than 257,000 graduates in all 50 states as a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy.

More information on the partnership between WGU and North Dakota Community Colleges can be found at: www.wgu.edu/ndcc.

Upcoming Webinar: Addressing the Needs of Youth with Disabilities and Other Intersecting Identities

By: Matthew George

Youth and young adults with disabilities (Y&YADs) can face significant barriers accessing employment and are employed at lower rates than their peers without disabilities. Y&YADs with additional intersecting social identities, including those belonging to racial or ethnic minority communities or those involved in the juvenile justice system, may experience even greater barriers to accessing employment supports and attaining and maintaining employment.

The Center for Advancing Policy on Employment for Youth (CAPE-Youth) has released a brief outlining strategies states can utilize to better support Y&YADs with intersecting identities in their transitions to employment. CAPE-Youth is hosting a webinar on Tuesday, May 24 from 3:30pm-5:00pm ET to share those strategies and explore specific state examples.

Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term “intersectionality” in 1989 to refer to the various identities each person has and how they intersect or overlap in ways that can be empowering or oppressive. These identities include gender, race/ethnicity, class, abilities, sexual orientation and nationality. While the intersecting identities of a Y&YAD can pose additional employment challenges, their intersecting identities also can serve as specific protective factors that, if appropriately identified and leveraged, can mitigate the employment barriers they face. For example, states can leverage an individual’s linguistically diverse background by identifying and collaborating with Latino firms looking to hire Spanish-speaking individuals.

State policymakers should consider several strategies for designing and implementing programs that address the unique needs and leverage the unique strengths of Y&YADs who have intersecting identities. These strategies include:

  1. Using data to identify needs and barriers involving Y&YADs with intersecting identities;
  2. Developing strategies for engaging Y&YADs with intersecting identities and empowering them to participate in the design of youth-serving programs;
  3. Coordinating among agencies and community organizations to develop comprehensive programs for Y&YADs with intersecting identities;
  4. Adapting or creating workforce programs to serve Y&YADs with intersecting identities;
  5. Hiring a more diverse workforce system staff; and
  6. Developing the cultural competency of workforce system staff.

The webinar, presented in collaboration with The Council of State Governments, will discuss these strategies in greater detail. The webinar will feature speakers from four initiatives who will discuss their efforts to serve different populations of Y&YADs, including youth involved in juvenile justice and foster care systems, tribal youth, LGBTQ+ youth and ethnically and racially diverse youth.

Please register for the May 24 webinar here.