Digital adoption

Decrease number of households not served by choice using 2020 CPUC data as a baseline and comparing it to updated CPUC data and surveys of Marin’s households
Prevent or reduce the number of cyber security and privacy incidents by collecting data before actions are taken to create a baseline and measuring again after actions are taken
Increase digital accessibility for all sectors in Marin by measuring accessibility before actions are taken to create a baseline and measuring again after actions are taken
Realize cost savings from sharing services among government and educational agencies by comparing costs before and after actions are taken
Increase number of digital businesses started or grown by comparing data before and after actions are take

Improve privacy, security, and digital accessibility across Marin

Concerns with security and privacy were expressed often during the needs assessment process. Additionally, issues with accessibility of digital information and services were raised, especially by older adults and people with disabilities. These factors reduce digital adoption and decrease the value of investments in broadband infrastructure. Two high-level actions to address these issues were identified through the needs assessment process.

Action 12 – Establish a Marin Digital Accessibility Council

Establish a Marin Digital Accessibility Council to serve all sectors including public, non-profits, and private industry. Share information and resources and pursue projects and funding to improve access to digital resources and services.

Action 13 – Establish a Marin Security and Privacy Council

Expand the County-led Marin Information Security Collaboration (MISC), which currently serves government, education, non-profit, and similar public organizations, into a Marin Security and Privacy Council that includes other agencies and organizations, including for-profit enterprises. Continue to share cybersecurity information and resources, as well as broaden the focus to include digital privacy. Pursue projects and funding to improve and expand cybersecurity and privacy resources, policies, procedures, and laws that protect Marin’s residents and businesses.

Address barriers through education and community problem solving

The research found other barriers that decrease digital adoption. One factor is a lack of knowledge about digital resources and the benefits of participating in the digital society. Another is health concerns related to digital infrastructure and devices. Educating Marin’s residents and businesses and developing community-based solutions help increase Marin’s digital adoption. Two high-level actions were identified through the needs assessment process.

Action 14 – Create an Education Campaign for Benefits of Digital Adoption

Educate the public about the availability and benefits of digital services. Include representatives from all sectors to ensure that the program serves Marin’s residents and businesses. Help individuals and businesses identify the benefits of using digital solutions, so they can experience the full value of online services and digital opportunities.

The results of a recent survey of businesses in one of Marin’s towns found that some owners are afraid to learn new technology, leaving haves and have-nots.

—Findings from Economic Development Focus Group

Action 15 – Address Residents’ Concerns with Digital Technologies

Investigate community concerns including getting information from a wide-range of experts with differing opinions. Ensure that all voices are heard. Develop community-based solutions to address these concerns. Pursue these activities based upon specific needs and availability of resources.

Examples of potential topics identified during the needs assessment process include the following:

The effect of Electric Magnetic Field (EMF) and Radio Frequency (RF) radiation on human’s health and the environment.
Privacy concerns related to data collection and aggregation, monitoring, surveillance, facial recognition, and other similar technology-enabled processes.

Increase public value from investments in technology

Investments in broadband infrastructure and digital adoption must result in public and economic value. Value results from sharing data, applications, infrastructure, and other digital resources to improve service, increase buying power, and reduce support needs. This value is also achieved by deploying smart technologies and growing Marin’s small, home-based, and digital businesses. Four high level actions were identified during the needs assessment process.

Action 16 – Identify and Increase Data Sharing Initiatives

Create collaborations, explore opportunities, develop project proposals, and get funding for data sharing initiatives to provide whole person care for individuals and families. Potential projects identified through the needs assessment process include the following:

Expanding data sharing among schools, libraries, and education-focused community based organizations to support home access to educational resources and family and school communication while eliminating the homework gap.
Increasing collaboration and data sharing among healthcare, mental health, social service, justice, education, non-profits, housing, and other organizations to provide wrap around services by:
- Resourcing a backbone entity and providing community engagement, technology, and legal resources for a Community Information Exchange model;
- Investing in data platforms for wrap around programs like Success Networks, community schools, etc.; and
- Aligning goals and actions between existing collective impact initiatives.

Action 17 – Enable Shared Services Among Government and Educational Agencies

Create collaborations, explore opportunities, develop project proposals, and get funding for shared services among government and educational agencies to improve efficiency, streamline processes, and improve customer service. Potential projects identified through the needs assessment process include the following:

Increasing network interconnectivity and shared digital solutions and resources to lower costs and increase consistency of services to the public.
Standardizing processes and digital systems to make digital resources less costly and easier to buy and maintain and improve usability.
Increasing data sharing to improve transparency, reporting, and accountability for shared goals.

Action 18 – Identify and Promote Smart Technologies

Create collaborations, explore opportunities, develop project proposals, and get funding for smart technologies that improve public service delivery and promote community engagement and public sector innovation. Include representatives from all sectors, including residents, to ensure that community needs are met, and security, privacy, and health concerns and risks are reduced or, where possible, eliminated. Base timing of these efforts upon specific needs and availability of resources.

Action 19 – Establish a Digital Business Incubator Program

Establish a digital business incubator to create or expand Marin’s small, homebased, and online digital businesses. Include resources such as free or low-cost workspace, digital tools and technologies, mentorship, sharing of expertise, access to investors, and potentially, working capital in the form of grants and loans. Include representatives from business, economic development, chambers of commerce, education, and other relevant organizations.

The needs assessment revealed other factors that keep people from participating in the increasingly digital world including lack of digital accessibility – the ability for people with a wide range of abilities and disabilities to use digital resources. Security and privacy concerns, as well as concerns about Electric Magnetic Field (EMF) and Radio Frequency (RF) radiation’s effect on human’s health and the environment keep people from using the internet. Also, some residents and businesspeople are unaware of the benefits of using the internet, so they do not pursue it.

More than 1,800 households in Marin can have internet access but choose not to do so.

—According to CPUC data

When broadband infrastructure is in place, public value is gained through deployment of smart technologies like sensors on critical infrastructure, wearable health monitors, intelligent transportation systems, temperature and moisture sensors for farming, and smart thermostats that save energy. Digital adoption also benefits the local economy through potential job creation, adding or expanding small, home-based, and digital businesses, and increasing our digital workforce.

Goal

Key performance indicators

Strategies