This quarter, Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP welcomed 13 new licensed partners across 10 states to join the Senior Planet licensing program; a unique model that provides community-based organizations across the country with tools to help older adults access technology and use it to enhance their lives. In October, newly added licensed partners began delivering in-person technology classes to older adults in their communities, making award-winning Senior Planet classes more accessible than ever before.
Today, the licensing program has over 141 active sponsoring partners that offer programs at 484 licensed partner sites in 36 states across the country. New partners participate in a 5-week train-the-trainer series, after which they are provided with access to a growing selection of Senior Planet curriculum and ongoing support including resources, updates, and access to a network of licensed partners across the country. This quarter, we’re introducing the Senior Planet curriculum to a brand-new state, New Hampshire, and continuing to expand our efforts in North Carolina thanks to the partners and participants who spread the word of our overarching mission.
With plans to continue expanding each quarter, new partners for Q4 2024 include:
- Pemi-Baker Literacy | Grafton County, New Hampshire
- United Way of Greater Nashua | Amherst, Brookline, Hollis., Hudson, Litchfield, Lyndeborough, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua, Wilton, New Hampshire
- InterFaith Works of Central New York | Onondaga County (Syracuse), Cayuga County, Oswego County, Madison County, New York
- SCAN Health Plan | Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, California
- Senior Community Services | Hennepin, Wright, Sherburne, Carver, Scott Counties, Minnesota
- YMCA of Pikes Peak Region | Colorado Springs, Colorado
- North Carolina Cooperative Extension McDowell | McDowell County, North Carolina
- Office of Human Services, Inc. Area Agency on Aging | Cameron, Elk, McKean Counties, Pennsylvania
- Bristol Public Library | Bristol, Sullivan County, Tennessee; Bristol, Washington County, Virginia
- United Way of Greater Dayton Area | Montgomery, Greene, Preble Counties, Ohio
- Bertie County North Carolina Cooperative Extension | Bertie County, North Carolina
- City of Clawson Senior Center | Oakland County, Michigan
- To Bring More | Nassau County, New York
“When we welcome new partners into the Senior Planet licensing program, we unlock valuable learning opportunities for older adults,” said Kristina Demery, Manager of the National Licensing Program at OATS. “Each new partner not only expands our national reach but empowers local seniors to confidently navigate the digital world, providing access to skills that open doors to endless possibilities.”
The licensing program was launched in 2021 to meet the growing demand for meaningful, in-person technology programs available to older adults in rural areas. In addition to foundational technology courses like Connecting to the Internet, Chrome Essentials, and Intro to Smartphone Technology, the free program caters to a diverse range of interests and needs, offering unique classes including Is That AI?, Protecting Your Personal Information Online, Website Builders at a Glance, and more. A commitment to accessibility and inclusivity is prioritized, with curriculum options available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, and more.
OATS believes in supporting local partners through existing operational systems and allowing flexibility in the curriculum for geographic-specific changes to program delivery. If you are interested in bringing the Senior Planet licensing program to your community, visit www.oats.org/licensing or email licensing@seniorplanet.org for more information.