There are a few ways that we can arrange in-person programs in your state.

1. Send a Senior Planet trainer to you. OATS can offer up to 10 sessions per state, including lectures, workshops, and tabling or event attendance.

• Senior Planet will provide the presenter and work collaboratively to promote the program’s availability. A lead time of ten weeks is required to schedule a session.
• Lectures and workshops consist of interactive presentations that span 60-75 minutes per session and cover mainstream technology topics that most meaningfully intersect with daily life as we age. There are more than 100 topics that include How to Zoom, Protecting Your Personal Information Online, and more. A complete list of available lectures and workshops is available here.
• States also have the option of selecting a Senior Planet center to host sessions. There are four Senior Planet centers across the United States, located in New York City, NY; Plattsburgh (North Country), NY; Denver, CO; and Miami, FL. 
• Through tabling and event attendance, OATS can share Senior Planet resources and provide information at State Office-sponsored events.

2. Train AARP Volunteers to deliver Senior Planet Programs. Through the Senior Planet Fellows Program, local AARP volunteers receive training from OATS to teach Senior Planet programs in their community.

• OATS will recruit and designate “Senior Planet Fellows” in each state to serve as ambassadors for local programming.
• OATS will work closely with State Offices to identify program topics.
• States have the option of selecting a local site or their own state office to host sessions.
• OATS will disseminate all survey tools and provide metrics to state office staff.
• States are responsible for creating CVENT pages for program sessions with support from OATS Staff.

3. Train State Office partners to deliver Senior Planet Programs through our Licensing Program. The licensing program is a nationwide initiative designed to equip local organizations across the country with tools to help older adults access technology and use it to enhance their lives. Licensed partners are trained and supported to deliver in-person Senior Planet classes locally and have access to curriculum materials for hundreds of Senior Planet programs.

• States can nominate up to two local partners to participate in the Senior Planet licensing program free of charge.
• Successful organizations in the licensing program have staff or volunteers available to administer and deliver programs; a classroom set of devices for hands-on classes; and a space capable of hosting programs.
• OATS will reach out to nominated organizations and speak with them about the program in more detail and ensure their ability to participate. Should they be interested in moving forward, AARP state office-nominated partners will go through an expedited application process.
• You can learn more about the Senior Planet Licensing Program here. 

OATS will partner with up to 20 States Offices to offer Senior Planet virtual lectures in 2024.

• Lectures cover dozens of topics, and each state can schedule up to 8 virtual lectures.
• Instruction is led by a Senior Planet technology trainer. Coordination and promotion is handled by each State Office, supported by Senior Planet.
• Events are delivered on Zoom Meeting and administered collaboratively by State Office representatives. Please note, these events cannot be held on the VCC. An eight-week lead time is required to schedule a session.
• Virtual lectures can accommodate between 25-200 participants. Events span 60 minutes to incorporate Q&A and engagement between attendees.
• Virtual program lecture and workshop descriptions are available here.

In 2024, OATS worked with AARP Arkansas to offer four virtual programs to members in their state. Read more about this partnership on AARP.org.

AARP State Offices can request digital equity offerings and thought leadership support as part of their state government’s continued planning for Digital Equity Act implementation in 2024. Specifically, we can support AARP state offices by:

• Working in collaboration with AARP Government Affairs to support public comment on State’s draft Digital Equity Act plans (based on timing of your state’s digital equity planning. OATS will continue to provide support to states in the planning stage).
• Quarterly update to National and State AARP staff on OATS use of Digital Equity Act implementation funding.
• Roadshow of OATS latest research on the state of digital equity for older adults.
• Capacity building on the foundations of digital equity for older adults e.g., presentation.
• Sharing external digital equity resources and best practices from prominent sources.
• Provide tools to help older adults access affordable internet options.

Find more Digital Equity Act Information here: Information and resources.