|
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 the Dell Foundation, 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 . For information about volunteering with the Tech Tots Program, please complete our First Time Volunteer application and someone will contact you with additional information about becoming a Tech Tot Volunteer.
delltm1v.gif) 
|
