subpart 11 - community technology centers

20 USC 7263 - Purpose and program authorization

(a) Purpose
It is the purpose of this subpart to assist eligible applicants

(1) to create or expand community technology centers that will provide disadvantaged residents of economically distressed urban and rural communities with access to information technology and related training; and

(2) to provide technical assistance and support to community technology centers.

(b) Program authorization
The Secretary is authorized, in conjunction with the Office of Educational Technology, to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, on a competitive basis, for a period of not more than 3 years, to eligible applicants in order to assist such applicants in

(1) creating or expanding community technology centers; or

(2) providing technical assistance and support to community technology centers.

(3) Service of Americorps participants.—
The Secretary may collaborate with the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service on the use in community technology centers of participants in National Service programs carried out under subtitle C of title I of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12571 et seq.).

20 USC 7263a - Eligibility and application requirements

(a) Eligible applicants
In order to be eligible to receive an award under this subpart, an applicant shall

(1) be an entity (such as a foundation, museum, library, for-profit business, public or private nonprofit">nonprofit organization, or community-based organization), an institution of higher education, a State educational agency, a local education agency, or a consortium of such entities, institutions, or agencies; and

(2) have the capacity to significantly expand access to computers and related services for disadvantaged residents of economically distressed urban and rural communities (who would otherwise be denied such access).

(b) Application requirements
In order to receive an award under this subpart, an eligible applicant shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, and containing such information, as the Secretary may require. The application shall include each of the following:

(1) A description of the proposed project, including a description of the magnitude of the need for the services and how the project would expand access to information technology and related services to disadvantaged residents of an economically distressed urban or rural community.

(2) A demonstration of

(A) the commitment, including the financial commitment, of entities (such as institutions, organizations, business and other groups in the community) that will provide support for the creation, expansion, and continuation of the proposed project; and

(B) the extent to which the proposed project coordinates with other appropriate agencies, efforts, and organizations providing services to disadvantaged residents of an economically distressed urban or rural community.

(3) A description of how the proposed project would be sustained once the Federal funds awarded under this subpart end.

(4) A plan for the evaluation of the program, which shall include benchmarks to monitor progress toward specific project objectives.

(c) Matching requirements
The Federal share of the cost of any project funded under this subpart shall not exceed 50 percent. The non-Federal share of such project may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including services.

20 USC 7263b - Uses of funds

(a) Required uses
A recipient shall use funds under this subpart for

(1) creating or expanding community technology centers that expand access to information technology and related training for disadvantaged residents of distressed urban or rural communities; and

(2) evaluating the effectiveness of the project.

(b) Permissible uses
A recipient may use funds under this subpart for activities, described in its application, that carry out the purposes of this subpart, such as

(1) supporting a center coordinator, and staff, to supervise instruction and build community partnerships;

(2) acquiring equipment, networking capabilities, and infrastructure to carry out the project; and

(3) developing and providing services and activities for community residents that provide access to computers, information technology, and the use of such technology in support of preschool preparation, academic achievement, educational development, and workforce development, such as the following:

(A) After-school activities in which children and youths use software that provides academic enrichment and assistance with homework, develop their technical skills, explore the Internet, and participate in multimedia activities, including web page design and creation.

(B) Adult education and family literacy activities through technology and the Internet, including

(i) General Education Development, Language Instruction Educational Programs, and adult basic education classes or programs;

(ii) introduction to computers;

(iii) intergenerational activities; and

(iv) educational development opportunities.

(i) training in basic and advanced computer skills;

(ii) resume writing workshops; and

(iii) access to databases of employment opportunities, career information, and other online materials.

(D) Small business activities, such as

(i) computer-based training for basic entrepreneurial skills and electronic commerce; and

(ii) access to information on business start-up programs that is available online, or from other sources.

(E) Activities that provide home access to computers and technology, such as assistance and services to promote the acquisition, installation, and use of information technology in the home through low-cost solutions such as networked computers, web-based television devices, and other technology.