Jefferson County Public Library’s (JCPL) first-of-its-kind digital literacy program, PowerOn JeffCo, was launched in January 2024 in partnership with Jefferson County Public Schools (JPS) and funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Jefferson County.
Through this program, participants attend six sessions to help build basic computer skills at one of several different class locations around the County. In addition to classroom opportunities, up to 600 qualified low-income participants will receive a free computer and one year of internet access, upon successful completion of the program.
JCPL is thrilled to announce that PowerOn Jeffco is now open for both participant and partner applications.
Resident Participation
If you live in Jefferson County, don't know how to use a computer and are ready to learn, PowerOn Jeffco is for you!
Through this program, qualified PowerOn Jeffco participants:
- Learn basic laptop and internet skills.
- Participate in six, one-hour class sessions.
- Engage in English or Spanish instruction.
- Earn a FREE computer and one FREE year of internet access, based on qualifications, while supplies last.
How to Apply
If you or someone you know is interested in this program, please note the following process.
Step One: Find a Partner
At this time, classes are held at community partner locations, who will help participants register and qualify.
Current PowerOn Jeffco partners:
Step Two: Sign Up for Classes
Community partners have registration forms and class schedules. A JCPL library card is required to participate. Don't have a library card? We'll help you get one!
Step Three: Attend Six, One-Hour Classes
All materials, including assistive technology, will be provided.
Step Four: Earn a FREE Chromebook!
Upon successful completion of the program, qualified participants will receive a free Chromebook and free year of internet access, while supplies last. Our partners will help you navigate the qualification requirements during the application, opens a new window process, which include one form of identification and one of the following documents. No citizenship or legal status required.
Qualifying documents:
- Adult & Child Mental Health Case Management
- Employment Services (only if income-based in your state)
- Extended Foster Care
- Food Support (e.g., WIC, SNAP) (a dated letter showing current eligibility is required)
- Financial Assistance, such as GA, TANF, etc. (a dated letter showing current eligibility is required)
- Head Start
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Medicaid or Medical Assistance (bring a document that says “MA” or “Medical Assistance” on it)
- The National School Lunch Program’s Free or Reduced Lunch Program
- Section 8, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Group Residential Housing (GRH)
- Section 42, Low Income Housing Tax Credit unit or other HUD low-income program
- Social Security Disability (SSD)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Pell Grant
For more information, contact the Library at jeffcolibrary.org/contact-us, 303-235-5275 or in-person at one of our 10 full-service locations.
Community Partner Participation
PowerOn JeffCo can transform the lives of customers, volunteers, employees and patrons. As a partner, you provide the space and the participants, and we provide the instruction and FREE laptops to your successful, qualified participants.
Class Objectives
- Learn to use a computer
- Create and manage email
- Access the internet
- Participate in online learning
- Securely connect to online resources
Requirements for Community Partners
- An agreement signed by the director of your organization.
- A suitable location for classes for a duration of four to eight weeks.
- Help during the registration process and a contact person for logistics.
- A contact person is present during classes for safety.
- Help promote and recruit students for this program.
Partners need to show us they have a group with a need and a desire to help. We'll do the rest.
Here’s how our current partners are using this program:
- Jefferson County Public Schools is using this program to help parents of Title 1 students communicate with teachers and interact with school district tools.
- The Food Policy Council, in collaboration with the Edgewater Collective, is using the program to skill up volunteers so they can access volunteer tools.
- The Action Center is making this program available to its patrons to help them better access services available to them.
PowerOn Jeffco is funded by Jefferson County and ARPA.
Interested in being a community partner? Email DigitalLiteracyTeam@jeffcolibrary.org, and our community partner liaison will reach out to schedule a meeting.
