How did we get here?
About Us
The Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition (DEC), is a dedicated group of over 30 Franklin County and regional organization, representing government, education, healthcare, social service, private sectors and institutions. The Coalition initially formed in response to the pandemic in March 2020.
Founded by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Council (MORPC), Columbus Metropolitan Library, and The Columbus Foundation, a number of Franklin County organizations began participating in informal, virtual meetings to more closely examine the status of broadband challenges for area residents. Over time, this organic gathering has grown to include additional business, government, education, nonprofit and social sector representatives. the DEC has been a model for civic coorporation and collaboration. The DEC is now coordinated by Smart Columbus and continues to meet several times each month. The momentum for this collective effort continues to increase.
Steering Committee Members
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Columbus City Schools
The Columbus Foundation
Jewish Family Services
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
Smart Columbus
City of Columbus
Ohio Health
National Digital Inclusion Alliance
Franklin County Data Center
See the Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition Structure & Organization Chart.
Organizational Members
AECOM
Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio
BroadbandOhio
CAS
Catholic Social Services
Central Ohio Primary Care
City of Columbus
City of Dublin
City of Westerville
CMHA
Columbus City Council – Office of Elizabeth Brown
Columbus City Schools
Columbus Foundation
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Columbus Partnership
Columbus State Community College
Central Ohio Transit Authority
Creative Housing|Creative Renovations
Franklin County Board of Commissioners
Franklin County Department of Jobs & Family Services
Goodwill Columbus
Ice Miller
Jewish Family Services
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
National Digital Inclusion Alliance
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
One Columbus
Partners Achieving Community Transformation/OSU Wexner Medical Center
Renter Mentor
TECH CORPS
The Ohio State University
The Wells Foundation
The Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity
Vertiv
Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio
YWCA Columbus
DEC Advisory Groups
The purpose of the ACP Advisory Group is to advise members of the Franklin County on tactics to funnel community engagement in the adoption of the Affordable Connectivity Program as well as other solutions informed by the Digital Equity Agenda
The ACP Group advises on the following:
Scope of work outlined by lead consultants such as the ACP Micro grants
How to increase the adoption of the federally funded Affordable Connectivity Program
Ensuring that targeted communities are prioritized in creation of programming
Fair selection of vendors and contractors
Collaboration and engagement of stakeholders within the Franklin County Ecosystem
Support from Internet Service providers on ACP outreach through partnerships and grants
Supporting funding requests and grant pursuits.
The purpose of the Device Donation/Supply chain Advisory Group is to advise members of the Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition on the purchase and distribution of refurbished and new devices to Franklin county residents as advised by the Franklin County Digital Equity Agenda
The Device Access Group advises on the following:
Scope of work outlined by lead consultants and Smart Columbus
Questions and decisions related to the implementation of the Device Supply chain model in Franklin County
Ensuring that targeted communities are prioritized in creation of programming
Fair selection of vendors and contractors
Collaboration and engagement of stakeholders within the Franklin County Ecosystem
The purpose of the Digital Skills Advisory Group is to advise members of the Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition on how to manage and prioritize the build out of investments as outlined in the Digital Equity Agenda to increase access and availability of digital skills training.
The Digital Skills Advisory Group advises on the following:
Scope of work outlined by lead consultants
Questions and decisions related to the implementation of the Digital Skills “tech goes home” model for residents in Franklin County, as well as other recommendations in the action agenda.
Ensuring that targeted communities are prioritized in creation of programming
Fair selection of vendors and contractors
Collaboration and engagement of stakeholders within the Franklin County Ecosystem