Riverside Computer Investment Program Detailed Report
Founded in 1999, Riverside Community On-Line is a newly formed 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, designed to increase technology access for residents, businesses, schools and nonprofit organizations within the City of Riverside, with a special focus on low-income and minority residents. Riverside Community On-Line operates the Riverside Computer Investment Program, a collaborative effort among the city, school district and private businesses to bring computers into the homes of low incomes families for the benefit of both children and adults.
Our mission is to bridge the “digital divide” that has developed in our society among the “haves” who have computers in their homes and at work and have access to the Internet -- and the “have-nots” who do not. This gap is commonly referred to as the digital divide. There is growing evidence that people who use information technology at home and at work have higher incomes and better health than those who do not. The tremendous growth in the use of computers and the Internet cuts across all industries and job categories, requiring the development of computer skills to function and compete effectively at school and at work.
Current research shows that Californians are
rapidly “plugging in” to the computer and the Internet. According to
a 1999 survey conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California,
74% of Californians report using a computer at home, at work or at school.
However, a closer look at the research shows startling differences in
access to a home computer and home Internet access by race and ethnicity.
While 62% of the Anglo population have a computer at home and 32% of the
Anglo population use the Internet, only 37% of the African-American population
and 29% of the Hispanic population have a computer at home. And only
14% of African-
Americans have Internet access and 7% of Hispanics have Internet access.
58% of Asian families have computers in the home; 23% have Internet access,
nearly equal to Anglo families.
(Source: Moller, R.M. Profile of California Computer and Internet Users, California State Library, California Research Bureau, January 2000)
The purpose of Riverside Computer Investment Program is (1) train families at local community computer access sites at no charge and (2) once they have learned the skills, bring new computer systems with free Internet access into the homes of qualified families who have school age children (3) Follow-up with additional training programs and database information.
The Riverside Computer Investment Program is a unique program. We do NOT seek the donation of used computers for distribution to the low-income families in the community. Instead, in partnership with the City of Riverside, Riverside County’s Credit Union, the Riverside Unified School District and Jaguar Computers (a local computer distribution company) – we enable City of Riverside families to purchase a new computer that is out-of-the-box , state-of-the-art, delivered and set up in their home. For a very low cost per month, eligible Riverside families purchase a new computer paying $19/month for three years. The program subsidizes each computer $225 bring the cost down to $19 per month. The family actually “finances” the purchase of the computer through the Riverside County Credit Union, and makes monthly payments to them. As a new member of the credit union, the family now has access to checking, savings and the potential to repair bad credit or establish good credit. For a total cost of $684, the family has a new 600 mghz computer, system, color printer and free Internet access. For some families, even $19 per month presents a hardship. For these families, we have reconditioned computer systems available for $10 per month for 24 months.
Qualifications of Project Manager
Steve Berry, Project Director,
-Executive Director of Riverside Community Online Oct ’99- Present
Responsible for initiating the “Smart Community” programs
· Riverside Computer Investment Program
·
· Smart Home Initiative
· Smart Government Program
· Technology Infrastructure
-Municipal Marketing Manager for Browning-Ferris Industries
May ’87- Sept ‘99
Commitment to Diversity
Riverside Community On-Line is committed to bringing computers into the homes of low-income ethnic families. Of the 180 computers purchased by families in the Riverside Community On-Line Program to date (January 30, 2001), 70% have been to Hispanic families, 18% to African-American families, 11% to Anglo families and less than 1% to Asian families.
I. Description of Program Population
Target Population
The target population is low-income families residing in the City of Riverside who have one or more children attending school in the Riverside Unified School District. Special preference is given to Hispanic and African-American families since all of the community training centers are located in primarily minority areas.
Incorporated in 1883, the City of Riverside has a population of 259,738, the 11th largest city in California. The City grew nearly 15% from 1990 to 2000. The ethnic breakdown of the population is: 58% Anglo, 29.5% Hispanic, 7.2% African-American, 5% Asian-American, and 1% other. The Hispanic population represents the fastest growing segment of the population and will become the majority in 2020. The median income per family in the city is $47,664.
In the City of Riverside, 8.9% of the adult population has less than a 9th grade education, 13.5% have some high school education, and 25.1% graduated from high school or took the GED. These startling statistics reveal that nearly one-half of the adult population of the City of Riverside is undereducated relative to the needs of our emerging highly technological society.
Needs and Assets of the Target Population
California lags behind other states in providing access to technology for students. In a report issued by the Market Data Retrieval Corporation, California ranked last among the 50 states in the number of computers per student and 44th in the number of Internet connections per student.
In 1996, the California Education Technology (CET) Task Force, outlined a program designed to bring more technology to California Schools. The CET Task Force detailed an equipment and software acquisitions program that would link multimedia technology to the curriculum. The proposal also included communication linkages between students, parents, teachers and administrators.
Computer technology is the gateway through which students expand their learning vistas and increase their fund of information and knowledge. Without this technology, students simply cannot compete with those who do have this resource. According to this report, the average number of students per computer in the Riverside County high schools is twelve (12) while the state average is eight (8). However, within the Riverside Unified School District, all of the five (5) high schools included in the report exceeded this average. Two of the high schools had 50 and 22 students per computer respectively. These schools also reported scores on English and Math proficiency tests, as measured by the SAT-9 that were below both the state and county averages. While there are many factors that contributed to this, the fact that the average high school student in Riverside Unified School District has less access to computer technology than peers elsewhere in the state and the county must be considered as one of the contributory factors.
This is also true for the elementary schools in the Riverside Unified School District. Six of the schools have fewer computers per student than the average for the state and the county.
If the computers are not available in the school, the home must provide the opportunity for the learning opportunities that computers provide. However, notwithstanding the claims of falling computer prices, for families with limited income, even reduced prices can be insurmountable. According to the University of California, Riverside, 4% of the families in the City of Riverside have an annual income of $0 to $5K while another 29% have annual incomes of $25,000 or less. For families, this income can barely provide for food, shelter, clothing and transportation. Technology just isn’t on the horizon for many of these families
Involvement by Target Population and Benefit to the Target Population
The benefits to the target population of owning a computer in the home are many and varied:
Ø education of the children in the family, using the word processing software for preparing homework, or using the Internet to conduct research for term papers
Ø capacity to spend hours on the computer rather than the limited time available on the school computers
Ø exposure of the children in the family to the operation of computers, software – developing a comfort level and an ease of operation that allows for the utilization of different and more complex hardware and software in the future
Ø children and family members can learn to type, using computer software
Ø adults in the family can use the computer to finish work projects in the evening, or even telecommute
Ø adults in the family can use the computer to maintain household accounts on software, do the family banking, pay income taxes
Ø adults in the family can use the computer to purchase clothing, books and other items on line
Ø adults in the family can use the computer to check on airline ticket prices, automobile prices, travel packages.
Ø children and adults can use the Internet to research millions of topics of interest to the family.
Peripheral Benefits
Ø The family purchases the computer through the Riverside County Credit Union, paying $19 per month for 3 years for a new computer. The family establishes credit through the Credit Union which may be used in the future as a credit reference for other credit card companies and credit purchases
Ø The family experiences the pride of owning a state-of-the-art computer, not a used computer, not a donated computer, but a new piece of equipment that they bought and paid for themselves with a technology lifespan of at least five years.
Challenges
Ø A challenge to the success of the program might be that many families take the computers into their household but do not pay the monthly payments. To date, only one family participating in the program has failed to make payments in a timely manner, a default rate of .0068%.
Ø The computers may be stolen from the homes. The participating families live in low-income neighborhoods where the burglary rate is high. To date, we have not had any participating families lose computers to theft.
Ø The computer breaks down and sits in the home unused. With our phone support network and email network, we can identify those families who are not using the technology. If there is a software problem, we send a technician to the home to repair the problem at no cost. For hardware problems the computers can be dropped off at the local distributor. All computers come with a one-year parts and labor warranty. Our repair record is around 13%, and average for the industry.
II. Program Approach
Goals & Objectives
GOAL: To bring new model computers into the homes of qualified families who have school age children for all family members to use, to enhance their computer skills.
OBJECTIVE #1: To place new computers in the homes of 500 low-income City of Riverside families with school-age children (state-of-art computers with monitors, color printers, and free Internet access)
OBJECTIVE #2: To train the 500 families in how to use the computers through computer training classes offered at local Community Technology Centers;
OBJECTIVE #3: To provide follow-up training and in-home support in the utilization of the hardware and software of the computer for both the children and the adults in the family in all 500 families. .
OBJECTIVE #4: To continue to provide free Internet access by establishing a community server.
How the Program Operates
To qualify for the program, the family must meet the following criteria:
§ (Children) must be enrolled in a City of Riverside Public School
§ (Children) must receive or qualify for the free or reduced lunch program
§ (Children) must have a passing GPA or agree to increase their GPA within 6 months
§ (Children) must maintain a good attendance record at school
§ (Family) must have a minimum 6 months residency in the City of Riverside
§ (Family members) must complete a basic computer course at one of the four community computer centers.
¨ Low income families who have a child (or children) attending school in the Riverside Unified School District are eligible to participate in the program.
¨ A child (or children) are identified as coming from a low income family that could potentially benefit from having a computer in the family home.
¨ School principals and teachers recommend the children and their families to the director of Riverside Community On-Line for program inclusion.
¨ The family applies to participate in the program.
¨ Their application is carefully considered by the Riverside Community On-Line director.
¨ The family is chosen for inclusion in the program.
¨ The family fills out a credit application from the Riverside County Credit Union.
¨ The credit union has agreed to waive all income and credit history requirements as long as the parent has a valid Social Security Number or Green Card Number
¨ Upon approval of the loan ($19 per month for 36 months), the computer is purchased for the family from Jaguar Computers and delivered to the home.
¨ A Riverside Computer Investment Program technician sets up the computer for the family in the family home.
¨ Computers classes are offered to all family members free of charge at four locations in the community: Riverside Cybrary, Arlanza Computer Center, Casa Blanca Home of Neighborly Services and Center for Virtual Research.
¨ In-home repair and support continues to be available for the first 12 month.
The computer system includes:
· Vista Point Mid-Tower System
· Intel Celeron 600 MHz CPU
· 64 MB RAM, 1.44 MB Floppy
· 10.2 GB Hard Drive, 52x CD ROM
· v.90 Modem 56 KB
· PS/2 Mouse – Keyboard
· Microsoft Windows 98
· Vista Point 15” .28DP SVGA Monitor
· Microsoft Works, WORD
· Lexmark Color Photo Jet Printer
· Video and Sound Cards with speakers
· FREE Internet Access
Barriers to Access to Technology
For historically underserved populations such as African-Americans and Hispanics, and for new immigrant populations, such as immigrants from Mexico and Central America, there are multiple barriers to the use of technology including:
v language differences, ability to read and comprehend computer hardware and software set-up and use instructions
v limited literacy in their native tongue for Hispanics and illiteracy in English
v lack of awareness of technology and how it can be used in the home
v fear of technology
v fear of theft of the hardware from the home in low-income neighborhoods
v fear of expenses associated with the computer for expensive software, or games
v fear of expenses to repair in case of breakdown
v fear of causing conflict within the family over computer use.
Strategies to Address Barriers
v Language Barriers
In the families targeted for the computers, the parents in the family may have low-English literacy or be mono-lingual, but the children are English-speaking, especially the children who are of age to use a computer. The appeal of the use of the computer can actually be a great learning tool for children who are bi-lingual. As the parents progress with their English-speaking skills, the computer can also be an educational aide for them.
v Use of New Technology Barriers
Every family in the Riverside Community On-Line Program is advised to attend training in the use of the computer at the four community computer centers. Computer classes are offered 6 days a week, in the daytime and in the evening, for the convenience of everyone. Basic computer literacy skills are taught as well as common software applications. The children in the family are often the most eager to attend the trainings. The children, in turn, often teach their parents the fundamentals in the home.
v Uncomfortable with the Technology in the Home
The Computer Investment Program has a technician that goes into the home and installs the computer out of the box and sets it up. The technician starts the computer and shows the family simple operating procedures. Safety and Internet security are also covered.
The parents of Hispanic and African-American children are very education-oriented for their children, knowing that education and understanding technology is key to upward mobility. When the children can show their parents the improved quality of homework they are able to do – using the Internet as a research tool on every imaginable topic, preparing neat, legible typed papers for class, using the spreadsheets for reports and graphs, and many other applications – the parents become aware of what an educational enhancement the computer represents.
v Fears About Expenses
The Computer Investment Program has a technician on staff who will go into the home to trouble-shoot problems with the hardware. Most malfunctioning of computers has to do with software applications. Bilingual technical support is available by phone to help families to resolve software problems.
Capacity to Support the Technology Component of the Program
The Computer Investment Program has offers the children and their parents training in the use of the computer for free in four community computer centers. A technician installs the new computer in the home. Technicians are available for support and problem-solving for software applications.
Other Similar Service Providers in Our Community
There are a few of organizations in Riverside County that take donations of used computers and give them to families in the community. Generally, there was a very good reason why the computer was being given away. Often, the age of the computer as indicated by its operating speed – a 286, 386 or 486 – meaning that the computer can no longer operate most current software. Sometimes, the hard drive is failing, or the A-drive no longer works, or the Start-Up software has been lost, or the monitor is broken – and these problems only serve to frustrate the computer user. Donated computers generally turn into computer-disposal problems.
Collaboration in the Community
The Computer Investment Program is a collaboration among the City of Riverside, the Riverside Unified School District, the Riverside County Credit Union, and Jaguar Computers.
Future Plans to Increase Accessibility
In the year 2001, we plan to place 500 new computers in the homes of low income families in the City of Riverside.
Three Specific Program Outcomes
1) Children show a steadily improving grade point average
2) Children improve school attendance and participation in school activities
3) One or both parents in the home use the computer and develop computer skills potentially applicable in the world of work.
Other Outcomes
1) The amount of time children spent watching television will be reduced.
2) Older children will spend more time at home in the evening and less time out on the streets
3) Children and adults in the family will feel pride because they own a valuable state-of-the-art piece of equipment, similar to the feelings in the family when they get a new car.
4) Workforce development will be occurring for both children and parents.
5) Children and youth will graduate from high school with a working knowledge of computer operation, a necessary job skill.
6) Families can use the computer together to research subjects, do projects, play games.
Evaluation Model and Instruments
A database has been developed in ACCESS and currently is in use for all participating families. The children in the family will be monitored on a quarterly basis for three years to check on their steadily rising grade point averages. Their report card will be the evaluation instrument. A quarterly report on school attendance will be maintained on the children in the family. The measurable indicator we are seeking is high attendance with no skipping school, truancy or tardiness. The third evaluation measure is the utility that the parents in the family find in the computer. Every six months, we will send a survey form home to the parents and ask them what personal/work/family uses they have found in the computer.
| Page 1 of 1 - FAQs |