CHAT and Digital Connections Program: Serving California

The challenge

Digital disconnectedness is a national crisis that exacerbates social divisions and inequalities. For older adults, the coronavirus pandemic was a stark reminder of the impact of the digital divide. Tens of millions of older adults endured loneliness and social isolation, with no access to telehealth, banking or other online services including digital skills training, a proven means to improve the health and wellbeing of older adults.

The strategy

To address the risks to older adults posed by digital disconnectedness, the California Department of Aging (CDA) convened a working group of Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) directors, the California Department of Technology, and other stakeholders on strategies to bridge the digital divide and address social isolation for older Californians, people with disabilities, and caregivers. The purpose of this program was to mitigate loneliness and isolation for older adults by providing them with greater access to resources and information.

The solution

In August 2022, OATS was selected as one of three organizations to provide Senior Planet digital literacy training as part of the CDA’s Connections, Health, Aging and Technology (CHAT) and Digital Connections program. The purpose of this pilot project was to explore how to mitigate loneliness and isolation for older adults by empowering them to use technology. The pilot program, which ran until September 2024, supported low-income or disabled older adults by providing them, at no cost, with internet-enabled devices (iPads), internet access, and digital skills training. Over 950 participants across California were referred to OATS to receive digital literacy skills training and personalized support to help them learn to use their devices.