Glens Falls, N.Y. – Adirondack Health Institute (AHI) in partnership with Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO) and the North Country Digital Inclusion Coalition (NCIDC), is working to strengthen digital inclusion and digital equity across Northern New York through support from New York State’s ConnectALL Digital Equity Program Capacity Grant.
The initiative, known as North Country Connect to Tech (NC2T), is designed to help residents gain access to the internet, devices, technical support, and digital skills needed to successfully navigate technology in today’s connected world. The project supports New York State’s broader digital equity strategy by investing in local organizations, partnerships, and community-based solutions that can sustainably expand digital opportunity for residents.
Digital equity means ensuring that all residents, especially those in rural, underserved, or historically marginalized communities, have the tools, connectivity, support, and skills they need to access education, employment, healthcare, government services, and community resources online.
Digital inclusion is the work that makes digital equity possible. It includes efforts to expand affordable, reliable internet access; improve access to computers and other connected devices; provide trusted technical assistance; and build digital literacy, privacy, and online safety skills.
About the North Country Digital Inclusion Coalition
AHI and FDRHPO established the North Country Digital Inclusion Coalition (NCDIC) to bring together healthcare providers, telehealth specialists, community leaders, telecommunications experts, broadband advocates, library systems, and other partners committed to closing the digital divide.
The Coalition builds on regional telehealth work by identifying barriers that healthcare providers and residents face when accessing digital services, especially in rural communities. Its work focuses on practical, sustainable strategies that make telehealth, online resources, and essential digital tools more accessible and affordable across the region.
The North Country Digital Inclusion Coalition works across ten counties: Northern New York counties: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, Saratoga, St. Lawrence, Warren, and Washington counties.
“Digital equity can only be achieved through partnership and collaboration. The NCDIC brings together organizations and stakeholders from across the region with a shared commitment to closing the digital divide and expanding access to technology, connectivity, and digital skills,” said Laura Morris, Director of Data Analytics and Information Technology at AHI.
The Coalition focuses on populations most affected by the digital divide, including low-income households, older adults, veterans, people with disabilities, rural residents, and formerly incarcerated individuals.
For these residents, limited access to reliable internet, digital devices, or technology support can create barriers to critical services, education, job opportunities, healthcare, and connection to their community.
Through the ConnectALL Grant, North Country Connect to Tech will strengthen the region’s digital equity ecosystem by supporting partnerships, expanding services, and helping residents build confidence using technology in everyday life.
The grant will support strategies that address digital literacy and skills, digital privacy and security, targeted accessibility, and collaborative approaches to reaching residents who face the greatest barriers to digital access.
- Deploy digital navigators and trusted local support to help residents access online services and technology resources.
- Provide personalized digital literacy training, including support for telehealth, essential computer skills, software use, and everyday online tasks.
- Increase awareness of affordable connectivity options, devices, and regional digital inclusion resources.
- Strengthen collaboration among healthcare, community, education, broadband, and library partners to create sustainable digital equity solutions across the North Country.
New York State’s ConnectALL Office has identified digital equity as a key strategy for improving access to digital literacy, job readiness, affordable internet and devices, digital privacy and safety, and accessible government services.
“Digital access is no longer optional,” said Pat Fontana, Deputy Director at FDRHPO. “It is essential to health, education, employment, and connection. Through North Country Connect to Tech, we are working with partners across the region to ensure residents have the connectivity, devices, skills, and support they need to thrive.”
The teams at AHI and FDRHPO are always excited to welcome new partners and encourage anyone interested in advancing digital inclusion to reach out and we’ll help to get you connected.
For more information, contact Laura Morris, Director of Data Analytics & IT at lmorris@ahihealth.org or visit www.fdrhpo.org.
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About Adirondack Health Institute
Adirondack Health Institute (AHI) is an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization licensed under the New York State Public Health Law as an Article 28 Central Services Facility. Since 1987, AHI has supported hospitals, physician practices, behavioral health providers, community-based organizations, patients, and others in our region to advance equity, quality, access, and affordability of health and healthcare services. To learn more, visit www.ahihealth.org.
About Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization
The Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO) is a clinically integrated network that brings together military and civilian healthcare partners to strengthen access to high-quality care for Fort Drum Soldiers, their families, and North Country residents. Founded in 2005, FDRHPO works collaboratively with hospitals, healthcare providers, public health agencies, educational institutions, EMS organizations, and community partners to address regional healthcare needs and advance innovative solutions. To learn more, visit www.fdrhpo.org.