April 21, 2025
Lake County Offers No Cost Digital Skills Software to Community Organizations
Lake County is distributing 29 licenses for digital skills software at no cost through Northstar Digital Literacy, a Literacy Minnesota program, to nonprofit, educational and government organizations that engage in skill-building programs with residents who meet specific criteria.
Northstar Digital Literacy provides organizations with a curriculum to teach residents how to improve their basic digital skills in everything from sending emails to accessing telehealth and using Microsoft tools. Organizations awarded a software license will have access to Northstar’s curriculum, online lesson plans and digital skills assessments.
Interested organizations should have experience serving Lake County populations disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the operational capacity to offer trainings, and experience with administering skill-building programs. Organizations should also be prepared to share a plan for promoting and delivering the curriculum to the community.
Residents are eligible for these trainings based on meeting one of the following criteria as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic:
• Low/moderate income household
• Unemployment
• Increased food insecurity
• Increased housing insecurity
• Qualified for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, childcare subsidies through the Child Care Development Fund program and/or Medicaid
Awarded organizations will be responsible for determining residents’ eligibility and providing learning guidance on the Northstar platform.
“Lake County is committed to closing the digital skills gaps for our residents,” said Sandy Hart, Lake County Board Chair. “This requires collaboration from everyone in Lake County – including government, residents and community organizations. Together, we can ensure all our residents have access to not only digital tools but also the skills to safely and efficiently use them to enhance their daily lives.”
According to Jennifer Clark, Technology Committee Chair and Lake County Board Member for District 15, “Northstar works with organizations across the country. This software paves the way for them to provide residents with skills that can change their personal and professional lives. Lake County is in an exciting position to broaden digital access and skills by offering this educational tool at no cost to our community organizations.”
Interested community organizations can reach out to broadband@lakecountyil.gov to ask questions or apply by May 31.
This contract with Northstar Digital Literacy is supported by the Digital Growth Initiative. To learn more about the initiative, visit lakecountyil.gov/broadband. This project is being funded, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP0214 awarded to Lake County by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
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