Chula Vista Digital Equity and Inclusion Plan
Nutter Consulting partnered with the City of Chula Vista on a multi-phase Digital Equity and Inclusion Plan (DEIP) project aimed at addressing the digital divide in Chula Vista by targeting the three pillars of digital equity: 1) access to the Internet, 2) access to digital devices, and 3) digital literacy.
Among the many issues that increased visibility during COVID-19, the digital divide exposed inequities in our neighborhoods and communities, leaving populations vulnerable to economic and health stressors of the pandemic. Internet connectivity is critical to access up-to-date public health advisories, government services, financial assistance, online education and work, and needed delivery services for vulnerable populations. These unique challenges have compounded the existing socioeconomic disparities related to the digital divide.
The County of San Diego has a thriving technology industry and municipal leaders have created CleanTech San Diego, a collaborative to promote smart city initiatives throughout the region. Chula Vista has emerged as one of the leaders in the region, publishing its Smart City Strategic Action Plan in 2017. Building on this emerging digital economy, the City of Chula Vista wanted to ensure that all of its residents were able to participate and reduce their vulnerability in a changing world. To address these disparities, the City of Chula Vista partnered with Nutter Consulting on a multi-phase Digital Equity and Inclusion Plan (DEIP) project aimed at addressing the digital divide by targeting the three pillars of digital equity: 1) access to the Internet, 2) access to digital devices, and 3) digital literacy.
As the first plan of its kind in the County, the DEIP sets an example for local cities on how to address the digital divide in inclusive ways. The Plan includes regional initiatives that the City can lead to expand the reach of its digital equity strategies and connect to San Diego's smart region initiatives.
LEARN
Our team reviewed 18 City and County plans and policies to identify overlapping goals and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to align the City’s digital equity vision with goals related to connectivity, equity, economic development, education, and service provision.
ENGAGE
PLAN
We identified over 150 potential stakeholders, including City and regional agencies, community-based organizations, private entities, healthcare agencies, and academic institutions, and completed 12 interviews with priority stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the local digital divide. Nutter Consulting then planned and facilitated the inaugural Digital Equity and Inclusion Workshop with over 50 multi-sector stakeholders. This workshop helped both to understand specific needs for eight underserved communities, identify existing digital equity resources available in Chula Vista, and uncover potential areas for collaboration among the stakeholders.
The final Digital Equity and Inclusion Plan outlines actionable goals and strategies to expand the community’s access to the Internet, digital devices, and digital literacy training. The Plan also identifies key regional partners and a matrix of existing digital equity resources to centralize information for residents.
