2024 Policy Groups

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Bi-Weekly Member Policy Calls


Every other Monday 2pm ET

 

 

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Broadband Deployment


3rd Tuesday 2pm ET

 

 The Broadband Deployment Policy Group will discuss federal and state broadband programs to promote the deployment of open, high-quality broadband infrastructure across the country.  The Group will advocate for policies that expand broadband investment for anchor institutions and unserved and underserved communities by the private sector and by non-profit providers such as research and education networks and municipalities.  The Group will focus primarily on federal programs, such as the BEAD, CPF and RDOF programs run by NTIA, Treasury Department and the FCC respectively.  The Group will also review state broadband maps and other state broadband initiatives to drive broadband investment that benefit anchor institutions.  The Group will also discuss and support regulatory changes that can drive greater broadband deployment, such as pole attachments, open access, tax relief and other policies to promote broadband investment to solve the digital divide.  

 

Co-Chairs:

  •  Jenny Miller, EducationSuperHighway
  • Justin Fazzari, The Sanborn Mapping Company, AppGeo Division 
  • Dianne Lindstrom, Los Lobos Consulting
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E-Rate


1st Thursday 2pm ET

 

 This charter is intended to be a guiding framework to steer the group’s actions in 2024 and can be adjusted and amended as necessary to adapt to the evolving needs and challenges to best address this purpose. 

 

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the E-rate Policy Group is to support the underlying goals, administration, and implementation of the E-rate Program.

 

The Group additionally advocates for Program developments and advancements that reflect the evolving needs of E-rate applicants, stakeholders, and the communities they serve.  Members exchange information with each other to develop areas of interest and advocacy.

 

Policy Influence & Education

The SHLB E-rate Policy Group aims to develop new and influence existing Federal policies that impact the E-rate Program. Group members engage with each other and with others in the field to develop the expertise required for SHLB to advocate for these policies (through filings, meetings with policymakers, etc.).

The SHLB E-rate Policy Group provides a forum to exchange information to educate members about the E-rate Program and the evolving needs of schools, libraries, and their communities.

 

2024 Suggested Workstreams

  • Track the implementation of FCC-related Orders to ensure the Program achieves its underlying goals. Examples include:
    • Tribal Libraries program and E-rate Streamlining Order
    • Wi-Fi on School Buses
  • Advance policies that support:
    • Cybersecurity funding (through the proposed pilot program and long-term E-rate solutions)
    • Hotspots and other “to and through” measures to solve the Homework Gap/home connectivity
  • Provide support for the continuation of policies in “jeopardy” (such as fighting against constitutional challenges to the USF and Wi-Fi on school buses).
  • Ensure to provide an educational forum for members to track and understand E-rate Program-related topics. Examples include:
    • Developments related to the USF
    • Program compliance and audit-related procedures and issues
    • Latest FCC & USAC program updates (i.e., Commission and Board meeting updates)

 

Co-Chairs:

  • Julia Legg, E-Rate Central
  • Rachel Botts, Kellogg & Sovereign
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Digital Equity 


4th Tuesday 2pm ET

 

This charter is intended to be a guiding framework to steer the group’s actions in 2024 and can be adjusted and amended as necessary to adapt to the evolving needs and challenges to best address this purpose. 

 

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the Anchors and Digital Equity Policy Group is to advance digital equity goals and to advocate for increasing the role and contribution of anchor institutions in achieving these goals.  Anchor institutions such as schools, libraries and higher education institutions have historically been at the forefront of community equity initiatives and can and should make a significant contribution to this work in 2024 and beyond.

 

Advocacy & Education

The SHLB Anchors and Digital Equity Policy Group advocates for Federal policies that promote universal access to affordable high-speed internet and devices, and digital literacy programs. To do this, we will engage with federal and state policymakers to support leveraging the expertise and resources of anchor institutions in achieving digital equity goals

 

The SHLB Anchors and Digital Equity Policy Group provides a forum for members to exchange information about organizational, state, and Federal programs and resources related to anchor institution digital inclusion initiatives that could be leveraged or replicated by other organizations.

 

Suggested Focal areas for 2024

  • Renewal of ACP funding in the near term, and for a permanent/long-term funding source to help consumers access high quality broadband.
  • Identify the critical role played by institutions of higher education in promoting access to affordable broadband for students, teachers and the surrounding communities.
  • Telehealth initiatives
  • Proposed bill to amend the Digital Equity Act to include AI literacy. See article.
  • Rollout of state digital equity plans
  • Assess existing USF programs (E-rate and RHC) and advocate for advancements that include digital equity considerations and goals
  • Support long-term funding solutions for the Universal Service Fund

 

Co-Chairs:

  • Tom Esselman, Esselman Consulting
  • Rebecca Ranallo, Cuyahoga County Public Library
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Rural Healthcare


2nd Thursday 2pm ET

 

This charter is intended to be a guiding framework to steer the group’s actions in 2024 and can be adjusted and amended as necessary to adapt to the evolving needs and challenges to best address this purpose. 

 

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the SHLB Rural Health Care (RHC) Policy Group is to support the underlying goals, administration, and implementation of the Rural Health Care Program (which includes HCF and the Telecom Program). 

 

As the country advances its goal to connect people remotely (at home and wherever they are), the Group will explore ways to learn, educate, and advocate for broadband policies that advance equitable access to healthcare.

 

Policy Influence and Education

The SHLB RHC Policy Group aims to develop new and influence existing Federal policies that impact the RHC Program and the healthcare sector generally. Group members engage with each other and with others in the field to develop the expertise required to advocate for these policies (through filings, meetings with policymakers, etc.).

 

The SHLB RHC Policy Group provides a forum to exchange information to educate members about the RHC Program, advances in healthcare, and the intersection between healthcare, broadband, and the work of community anchor institutions.

 

2024 Suggested Workstreams

RHC Program (Policy)

  • Track the implementation of FCC-related Orders to ensure the Program achieves its underlying goals. Examples include:
    • Monitoring recent changes in FCC’s Third Report and Order
  • Ensure the advancement of the Program by advocating for open issues. Examples include:
    • Changes in HCF/Telecom Program equipment funding
    • Telecom Program rural/urban rates
    • Annual caps on recurring/non-recurring charges
  • Ensure to provide an educational forum for members to track and understand RHC Program-related topics. Examples include:
    • Developments related to the USF
    • Audit-related procedures and issues
 

RHC Program (Systems/Usability)

  • Ensure usability of the RHC Program systems by collecting user data, conducting productive USAC meetings, and tracking systems developments. 
 

Healthcare generally

Ensure the development of future public policies that address broadband-related healthcare issues. Examples include:

  • Cybersecurity
  • Ensure the advancement of equitable access to healthcare, by developing educational opportunities related to:
    • Access and funding opportunities for telehealth services
    • School-based clinics and mental health
    • Tribal access to healthcare

 

Co-Chairs:

  • Marci White, Redbud Telecom Consulting
  • Leslie LaFile, Independent Health Network
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Wireless


3rd Thursday 2pm ET

 

The group serves as a discussion forum to educate participants and the broader SHLB community about emerging trends and technologies in the wireless space, and advocate for policies that support the needs of anchor institutions and their surrounding communities.

 

Focal areas of the group include:

  • Showcasing anchor institutions projects/initiatives that make use of, and especially innovative use of, spectrum to serve their constituencies, including the surrounding community. 
  • Providing educational content and information exchange to members who are planning to use wireless technologies and spectrum in their communities and wish to learn from others who have done so. 
  • Identifying and shaping policy solutions that ensure adequate unlicensed and licensed (including shared-licensed) spectrum is available for use by anchor institutions, and the providers that serve anchor institutions. 
  • Identifying and shaping policies that make (anchor-led) wireless networking solutions that serve the public interest eligible for (federal) financial support/subsidies.

Co-Chairs:

  • Michael Calabrese, Open Technology Institute
  • Philip Neufeld, Fresno Unified School District