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Introducing Community Engagement, formerly the Community Technology Center (CTC) Program
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CompuMentor's Community Engagement program supports the national Community Technology Center (CTC) program through two areas of focus. Our Services include program development and the management of large initiatives. CompuMentor also helps advance the Community Technology field through Sector Building efforts that encompass research studies, advocacy work, and convening networks of practitioners.
A CTC is a small computer lab providing low-cost or free access to technology, and training tailored to the needs of a low-income or disadvantaged community. Learn more about CTCs.
Learn about CompuMentor's report, "Exploring New Roles for Community Technology Centers: Can CTCs Serve as Nonprofit Technical Assistance Providers?"
Learn about CompuMentor's report, "Exploring New Roles for Community Technology Centers: Can CTCs Serve as Nonprofit Technical Assistance Providers?"This comprehensive research study finds that for most CTCs serving as a nonprofit technology assistance provider (NTAP) is more difficult than it would appear. While CTCs in general may not have the capacity to act as NTAPs, there appears to be a small subset of CTCs that can offer NTAP services. The study recommends exploring new models for NTAPs and CTCs to partner to deliver services to community-based organizations. More.
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| our clients and partners |
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We work directly with California-based organizations that offer computer-based education, training, or youth programs. These can be community-based organizations, low-income housing providers, job training centers, or youth-serving organizations. We partner with national organizations and funders on CTC-related initiatives. We have worked with groups such as the America Connects Consortium (ACC) and AOL Foundation, and projects including Computers in our Future (CIOF) and Power UP.
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| services |
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Program Development
We assist organizations in planning a dynamic technology program that addresses the needs of all your constituencies. We help set realistic goals, identify existing curriculum resources, define staff roles and responsibilities, and gather other resources to make sure your program attracts participants, partners, and funders.
Feasibility Studies
Whether you are an individual organization or a funder, our feasibility studies help you conduct due diligence before launching a new program. We plan and implement tailored research that will provide you with reliable information, comprehensive answers to your questions, and recommendations on how to move forward.
Management of Large Initiatives
We are experienced in managing complex, multi-partner and multi-year initiatives. We help you manage different priorities, build consensus, and ensure your project stays on track and on budget. Our successful track record includes co-managing Computers In Our Future (www.ciof.org), a five-year model program to develop and support CTCs in eleven communities throughout California.
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| the compumentor difference |
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CompuMentor offers an unparalleled combination of skills, experience and methodology that enables us to help individual CTCs succeed as well as build the sector.
Skills: Our background includes all aspects of planning, implementing, and running a community technology program. We know every aspect of this business; from fixing a database to helping an organization ensure the program fits its strategic plan and furthers its mission. Our national partners rely on our unique combination of CTC sector knowledge, technology expertise and experience in managing complex multi-year, multi-player initiatives to help them juggle different priorities, build consensus, and ensure their projects are on track and on budget.
Experience: We've been working with CTCs since 1995, and our extensive expertise helps us understand the unique needs of this sector. We are familiar with CTC best practices from around the country and the latest trends and research. Depending on the needs of a project, we can tap into a wide network of partners and resources that support the CTC sector.
Methodology: We focus on knowledge transfer to ensure that your staff can manage the project after our consultants are gone. We do this through collaborative project planning, documentation of all work, and excellent communication between our consultants and your point person. We also tailor assistance to your individual needs to provide you with coordinated support from planning to implementing to maintaining your programs.
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| sector building |
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CompuMentor is committed to advancing the CTC community by leveraging our skills and knowledge in as many ways as possible. In addition to supporting individual projects or organizations through our consulting services, we engage in activities that have broader impact on the field and that foster the sector's progress on an infrastructure or policy level.
Custom Research Services
Our custom research studies help provide in-depth answers to fundamental questions and contribute insights to current discussions within the CTC sector. Topics include CTCs as Nonprofit Technology Assistance providers (a study on behalf of the AOL Foundation), and the intersection of community technology and virtual education. Contact us if you want to tackle a CTC-related hot topic and we will plan and implement your research study.
Advocacy
We have been actively engaged in policy work since 1998. We are part of the leadership of the California Community Technology Policy Group. The CCTPG passed several bills that provide millions of dollars to support community technology in California.
Convening Practitioners
CompuMentor convenes and sponsors the Community Technology Network (CTN) of the San Francisco Bay Area. This group of CTC practitioners helps its members fulfill their mission and expand their capabilities by fostering collaboration and information sharing. In this leadership role, CompuMentor compiled the first Bay Area Directory of Community Technology Centers detailing the work of more than 180 programs.
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| cost |
Our regular rate for Consulting Services for individual organizations is $110/hr. Subsidies are often available through funders, allowing us to reduce our rates substantially for eligible organizations. These special rates can be as low as $40/hr. Contact us to find out how your organization can receive the best available rate. Fees for our other services are determined on a project basis. Please contact us to discuss your plans in detail.
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| contact us |
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The quickest way is to fill out this intake form. You can also contact:
John Lorance
Program Manager
1-800-659-3579 x328
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