For nearly two decades, CA FWD has provided the interconnective tissue between the state and its regions, leading a movement to create a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economy. To accomplish this goal, we lean in on supporting regions with shared learning and collaborative engagement around critical issues.
It was in this spirit that we recently presented two online trainings to help our regional partners, especially those in underserved communities, engage more deeply with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) around critical broadband needs.
CA FWD has a history of helping communities bridge the digital divide, including convening dedicated broadband working sessions at our annual California Economic Summit, advocating for Senate Bill 156, and participating in the Central Sierra Broadband Roadmap project, where members of CA FWD’s Young Leaders Program (then the Young Leaders Advisory Council) developed outreach strategies to survey students and seniors to address critical gaps in digital equity.
The online trainings—provided in partnership with two experienced digital equity groups in California, #OaklandUndivided and the Center for Accessible Technology—were designed to demystify what are often viewed as daunting processes and activities at the CPUC and to provide practical tips and strategies for effective engagement.
The trainings were offered through a grant to CA FWD from the CPUC’s Engagement, Equity and Education Grant Account. The program was designed to increase participation of tribes and community-based organizations representing underserved communities in CPUC decision-making. CA FWD was among eight nonprofits and tribal communities to receive such grants in 2024.
“This CPUC grant is critical in advancing CA FWD’s work as we support regions to build more inclusive economies in their communities,” said Kate Gordon, CA FWD CEO. “While our grant project focused specifically on broadband services, the insight and guidance our partners shared on these webinars is relevant across the broad range of utilities and services, from to water to transit to energy sources.”
During CA FWD’s annual California Economic Summit in Sacramento in October 2024, the CPUC grant project was the focus of a breakout session called “Broadband for All: Making Sure All Voices Are Heard.” The session included a panel discussion, followed by breakout table discussions where attendees explored ways to foster greater engagement by communities with the CPUC. More than 80 people participated, including educators, government officials, private sector representatives, and leaders from civic organizations including the California Stewardship Network.
As a next step, CA FWD took the insights gathered during the Summit and partnered with #OaklandUndivided and the Center for Accessible Technology to design and deliver the two engagement trainings:
- The first training on Feb. 21 was led by #OaklandUndivided Director of Community Impact Cinthia Diaz and Program Manager Carolina Mendez. #OaklandUndivided mobilizes community members to engage with state agencies including the CPUC on digital equity issues. Diaz and Mendez shared experiences, strategies, and best practices for successful participation and engagement. Their primary theme, “Be the Bridge,” resonated with those who attended, along with their user-friendly breakdown of key strategies for success.
- The second training on Feb. 28 was led by Paul Goodman, General Counsel at the Center for Accessible Technology, who practices regularly before the CPUC. He provided training on formal procedural engagement, including understanding rulemaking, attaining party status, providing comments, and other means of engagement. Goodman broke down complexities, offered practical tips, highlighted the flexibility embedded in CPUC processes, and left participants with an important central message: “Anybody can be an advocate at the CPUC.”
Access to fast, reliable, and affordable broadband is a necessity for communities and our statewide economy so that all Californians can thrive. While we are not there yet, the CPUC plays a critical role in achieving this goal. We encourage all who would like to engage more deeply with the CPUC to tap into these new resources and, as our #OaklandUndivided partners put it so eloquently and efficiently: Be the Bridge.
For further viewing and study, recordings of the trainings are available here and slides/related materials are available here.
