California Access to Technology Grant Evaluation
Problem
California’s Department of Aging wanted to study the impact of efforts to use technology to mitigate the social isolation of older adults.
Social isolation among older adults increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. California’s Master Plan on Aging set a goal of decreasing this isolation. Through the $48.5 million Access to Technology grant program, the California Department of Aging provided funds to 41 counties to purchase digital devices and service plans, provide digital literacy training, and improve digital infrastructure in their communities. To understand how each community used its funds and how effective they were at decreasing social isolation, improving connections, and increasing the self-confidence of older adults and adults with disabilities, the program included a mandatory program evaluation as one of its goals.
Solution
NORC conducted a mixed-mode interim evaluation of the Access to Technology grant program.
Drawing on more than 20 years of uniting scholarly expertise in aging research and cutting-edge qualitative and quantitative evaluation methodology, NORC implemented a mixed-mode, qualitative and quantitative evaluation to help the California Department of Aging assess the program’s impact on older adults and adults with disabilities. Our evaluation included:
- A content analysis of program reports and documentation
- A web survey and in-depth interviews with county grant program managers
- Ripple effect analyses through group discussions with county grant program managers, subcontractors, and adults who received devices and other types of support
Result
Our findings informed the California Department of Aging’s efforts to improve programs for older adults and adults with disabilities so they can continue to live at home.
NORC analyzed the data and summarized the findings so that the California Department of Aging could understand what worked well and where improvements were needed to have the greatest impact on the lives of older adults and adults with disabilities in California.
Our findings included:
- Programmatic success was dependent on resources both within the county and at the disposal of program managers.
- Program flexibility was important because of the diversity in California’s geography, demographics, and adults’ needs.
- Existing or new partnerships with community organizations supported outreach and implementation.
- The redistribution of unspent funds allowed programs to serve more individuals to increase their reach.
- For adults who participated in county programs, there were reductions in social isolation and loneliness, and improvements in health, well-being, quality of life, and safety.
- An option for in-person education was a crucial component to get adults set up for digital success, and it helped with social isolation.
Related Tags
Project Leads
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Barbara Fernandez
Associate DirectorProject Director -
Chandria Jones
Principal Research ScientistEquity Research Expert -
Margaret Hargreaves
Senior FellowPrincipal Investigstor -
Jennifer Satorius
Senior Research ScientistProject Manager
“NORC’s partnership with the California Department of Aging helped evaluate its innovative use of technology to improve social connections and service access for older adults and people with disabilities.”
