The Solution: The City of San Antonio’s Department of Human Services and Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP are working together to implement technology programs to support older San Antonians. Under a two-year grant, OATS, through its flagship program Senior Planet, is providing tech support and hundreds of virtual and in-person classes to engage 2,200 older adult participants. Grant efforts involve direct mailers sent to older adults residing in ten targeted zip codes to provide information about Senior Planet online resources, access to a technology help hotline, and technology training programs available at local senior-serving community centers, including classes about how to apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). OATS will capture program impact and broader participants gains through data collection activities by reviewing program survey data, call logs, as well as qualitative information gathered through formal and informal discussions with participants in programs. Program Update: On June 23, the first class of older adult San Antonians graduated from the ARPA-sponsored Senior Planet training program, celebrated at the Alhambra Senior Apartments in San Antonio.
