NACo teams with FCC to spread awareness of the Emergency Broadband Benefit program

Image of GettyImages-1224538576.jpg

Key Takeaways

NACo is teaming up with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help spread awareness of the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. EBB is a temporary program that provides eligible households a benefit of up to $50 off their monthly internet bill during the pandemic. Some EBB providers are also offering an additional benefit of up to $100 that can be used to purchase a connected device. A connected device can be a laptop, desktop computer or tablet. Households interested in the EBB program can apply online at www.GetEmergencyBroadband.org.

Teachers and education staff are accessible and trusted sources for dispersing student related resources in our communities, and our partners at the FCC request that county leaders consider sharing information about EBB with schools to distribute at events.  

The FCC has also offered to make subject-matter experts available to speak virtually at school events such as:

  • County-wide conference calls to parents  
  • Parent-teacher events  
  • Back-to-school nights
  • Career day events  
  • PTSA meetings

To request an FCC speaker, please send an email to EBBSpeakers@fcc.gov.  

Download EBB materials here. The FCC has also offered to print and mail copies of available materials to your location at no cost to share with your audience. To request printed materials, please send an email to BroadbandBenefit@fcc.gov.  

Additional Resources

Related News

El Paso border station
Press Release

County Leaders Visit U.S. Border to Examine Best Practices for Local Governments

National Association of Counties Immigration Reform Task Force and other county leaders tour El Paso County, Texas.

Man at call center
Advocacy

FCC takes critical steps to improve the 988 National Suicide Lifeline

On March 21, bipartisan congressional leaders and FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced steps to improve the 988 National Suicide Lifeline. This announcement marks major progress on the nation’s crisis response, a priority for counties and a key policy pillar of the NACo Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing.

(L-r): Lynn Carey and Maggie Purvis meet after becoming pen pal friends.
County News

County pen pal program helps developmentally disabled residents

Lynn Carey, a site manager of pulmonary services at Marion General Hospital, and Maggie Purvis, a high school freshman with autism, have been mailing each other letters back and forth for six months.