Tech Tots

Communities In Schools-Central Texas is proud to announce the construction of an important bridge in the Austin area.  Through a generous grant from Dell, this bridge has helped close the "digital divide" for participants of the ASPIRE/Even Start Program of CIS.

The "digital divide" is the widening gap between those with access to new technologies and those without.  It is becoming a significant economic and civil rights issue as low-income families are sending their children to school several paces behind their peers.

Tech Tots, initially a pilot project of United Way Capital Area, provides home computers to low-income families with preschool-age children.  The project focuses on enhancing a child's school readiness skills through kid-friendly software that teaches basic math, science, language and geography skills.  The program uses a mentor relationship with volunteer from the tech community to help families with their computers through a six-month period of home visits. 

Families in the Tech Tots program receive the following:

• A state-of-the-art Dell computer
• A printer with scanner
• A free year of Grande Communications internet connection
• Excellent Edmark educational software 
• 10 hours of computer lab instruction
• Six months of assistance and tutoring from a volunteer mentor  
• Home visits from a Parenting Educator

Upon Completion of participation in the six-month program, families are the outright owners of their computers, softward adn other equipment.  For more information about the Tech Tots Program, please contact Rob Patton. For information about volunteering with the Tech Tots Program, please complete our Volunteer application and someone will contact you with additional information about becoming a Tech Tot Volunteer.

Volunteer Requirements:
• Volunteers meet with parent & child 1-2 times a month at their home or at the lab for instruction. Meetings can be scheduled on the weekends or evenings at their home.
• Teach parents & child how to create documents, print, troubleshoot, check/write email, download software, upload pictures, browse the internet safely, etc…
• Training Session:Tues. Dec. 14th from 6-7pm Tues. Jan. 18th from 6-7pm