On October 20, 2020, during the peak of Covid-19 Pandemic, the Board of Supervisors authorized ISD as the lead agency on the Delete The Divide Initiative (DTD). Through an innovative public-private partnership model, Delete the Divide seeks to unify efforts to provide youth, young adults, and small businesses in disadvantaged communities, identified through Covid-19 high-priority areas in Equity Explorer and U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey Data “high-need areas”, who are adversely impacted by the digital divide with direct access to modern technologies, as well as training and support services, educational programs, technical certifications, job shadowing, mentoring, corporate tours, paid internships, academic scholarships, practical hands-on experience, entrepreneurial opportunities, and pathways to well-paying careers.
According to 2021 United States Census data, the median annual household income in the State of California is $81,575. The estimated median annual household income in Los Angeles County is $69,778, yet more than 1.3 million people in the County of Los Angeles are reported at Below the poverty level . Additionally, the 2021 Census data reports that 125 thousand households in Los Angeles County do not have a computer and 242 thousand households lack a broadband internet subscription. These households are disproportionately located in low-income areas and the populations are predominately Black and LatinX. The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the severity of the digital divide within Los Angeles County. In an effort to reduce the spread of the virus, a number of health safety protocols related to physical distancing were implemented by State and County health officials. As a result, constituents encountered a greater dependency on technology to perform routine and daily activities such as working remotely, distance learning among schools, and the exchange of products and services. The sudden and large-scale transition to a virtual environment brought in clear view the vast disparities in access to information and communication technologies within underserved communities. Hundreds of thousands of people continue to experience hardships due to technological barriers. Major initiatives are underway to provide computer devices and broadband connectivity to underserved communities. These are necessary and critical steps to ending the digital divide. However, equally important is the knowledge and awareness of how to effectively utilize and navigate the resources available through technology. The combination of access and awareness can expand opportunities for growth, achievement and advancement among disadvantaged populations. Delete The Divide is building partnerships and alliances with various entities that can support the digital empowerment agenda. These entities include government, private corporations, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, philanthropists, and the sports and entertainment industries. Collectively, we can contribute resources to underserved communities to connect residents and small businesses to opportunities through technology. The resources will be centrally available through the Delete The Divide program and provide more direct pathways to personal development and economic growth.