Closing the digital divide one anchor institution at a time.
Special Workshop: E-rate Emergency Connectivity Fund
What: The Federal Communications Commission recently announced the rules to apply for the E-rate Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), an historic opportunity for schools and libraries to connect students and patrons to home broadband. Unlike traditional E-rate funding, the $7 billion ECF program will allow schools and libraries to pay for off-campus connectivity and internet-enabled devices, such as laptops and tablets. Any school or library seeking funding from this program will need to digest a host of new rules in a flash due to the very tight application window. The SHLB Coalition’s ECF workshop will provide schools, libraries, and vendors with the essential strategies and information needed to submit successful funding applications.
Where: Online
When: 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. ET, June 9, 2021
This event has passed. Thank you to our amazing slate of speakers, and everyone who attended!
Jump to Section:
Agenda
Speakers
Pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
Agenda*
| 1:00 p.m. ET |
Welcome and Introductions |
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| 1:15 p.m. ET | Overview of ECF Legislation View Speakers |
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| 1:25 p.m. ET |
Overview of ECF FCC Order |
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| 2:10 p.m. ET | Breakout Sessions | |||
| School Speakers | Library Speakers | Vendor Speakers | ||
| Each breakout session covers the most pertinent topics for the respective audience to know, and includes a 20-minute Q&A section. | ||||
| 3:35 p.m. ET | Comparing the ECF to the Emergency Broadband Benefit, and other federal programs View Speakers |
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This event has passed. Thank you to our amazing slate of speakers, and everyone who attended!
Speakers
Welcome and Introductions
|
T.H. Ed Markey |
T.H. Jessica Rosenworcel |
|
Rachelle Chong |
John Windhausen |
Overview of Legislation
|
Reg Leichty |
|
Overview of FCC ECF Order
- Molly O'Conor, Attorney Adviser, Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- Ryan Palmer, Division Chief, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, FCC
- Johnnay Schrieber, Deputy Division Chief, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, FCC
School Breakout Session
|
Christian Baker |
Kim Friends |
|
Candice Hall |
Debra Kriete |
|
Martin Skiby |
Pennsylvania E-rate Coordinator |
Library Breakout Session
|
Bob Bocher |
Eric Flock |
|
Riley Harpole |
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Vendor Breakout Session
|
John Harrington |
Jim Kerr |
|
Gina Spade |
Comparing ECF to the Emergency Broadband Benefit, and other federal programs
|
Sean Davis |
Jeff Mitchell |
This event has passed. Thank you to our amazing slate of speakers, and everyone who attended!
Pricing
Includes access to live session, digital materials, and post-event recording.
$99 - Schools, libraries, nonprofit organizations, and consultants representing applicants.
$199 - For-profit vendors, including broadband service and equipment providers, and consultants representing vendors.
SHLB members are eligible for a 25 percent discount on registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
As the leading nonprofit promoting broadband connectivity for schools, libraries, anchor institutions, and their communities, the SHLB Coalition has a strong interest in the success of this ECF program. SHLB worked closely with FCC officials in creating these rules and will continue to advocate for the needs of schools and libraries throughout the application process. SHLB does not provide specific consulting services for individual applicants, but we are bringing together many of the most knowledgeable and experienced consultants to share their expertise with the applicant community.
Not at all - there are a number of differences, which we’ll get into during the ECF workshop. The FCC released an Order on May 11, 2021 outlining the unique application process for the ECF.
Anyone interested in applying for funding, including schools and libraries. Commercial providers and other vendors will also gain valuable information from this workshop, and we have a special breakout session planned to suit their needs. Finally, consultants and nonprofits that work with schools and libraries on broadband issues will also benefit from the ECF workshop. The workshop will help everyone get up to speed on the FCC’s application rules and USAC’s application forms, but it will not substitute for obtaining specific advice from your favorite consultant or consulting firm.
The first step is to register through our website. Once you do, you'll receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link to attend the workshop. You’ll be asked to fill out a quick form once you’ve clicked on the link, but then you’ll be in.
Besides that link, all you’ll need is to have the latest version of Zoom installed in your device.
We’re a mission-driven, nonprofit, public interest organization that believes in closing the digital divide through community anchor institutions. Our diverse group of over 260 members hail from all across the country. You can learn more about us here.
Since our founding in 2009, we’ve been advocating for the expansion and growth of the E-rate program to serve the surrounding community. We supported the E-rate reforms in 2014 that promoted fiber deployment and funding for internal connections. In January 2021, SHLB took the lead in filing a Petition for Rulemaking to allow E-rate funds to connect students and patrons wherever they are – an advocacy effort that’s become even more urgent due to COVID-19. Congress incorporated these same ideas when it passed the ECF legislation in March 2021. SHLB filed comments during the FCC’s ECF rulemaking proceeding and held several meetings with FCC staff to help develop the program rules.
The Emergency Connectivity Fund embodies what we’ve been advocating for, so now we aim to help schools and libraries make the most of this $7 billion opportunity.
You bet! SHLB members get 25 percent off the price of registration. Make sure to sign into your membership portal account when filling out the registration form, and the discount will be automatically applied.
Having issues with your membership portal account? Please email efredell@shlb.org.
We accept most major credit cards – American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and a few others. You can also pay by check by selecting the option at checkout. For billing questions, please contact operations@shlb.org.
You’ll be able to choose your breakout session in real-time during the workshop. We’ll be there to guide you through it.
Due to the live nature of the ECF workshop, unfortunately each attendee can only attend one breakout session in real-time. However, after the workshop, registrants will have access to all three breakout session recordings.
We understand that things can happen! If you need to cancel, you’ll receive a full refund as long as you notify us at info@shlb.org by COB on June 2. We’re regrettably unable to issue any refunds after June 3.
Ask us a hard one! Simply fill out our membership application here. You can also explore our benefits and membership dues online, or reach out to our wonderful Membership Director Eric Fredell at efredell@shlb.org.
This event has passed. Thank you to our amazing slate of speakers, and everyone who attended!
Who is SHLB?
Mission: “For every anchor institution in the country to have affordable, high-quality broadband that serves the needs of the institution and is open and accessible to the surrounding community.”
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