‘Digital navigators’ offer one-on-one help to sharpen computer skills. Cuts to federal funding mean there could be fewer of them in Greater Cleveland

The Northeast Ohio Regional Digital Opportunity Alliance, which includes the Cuyahoga County Public Library, was planning to increase the number of digital navigators in 2025. It was part of a larger plan to expand efforts to close the digital equity gap. In many Greater Cleveland communities, many residents don’t have the computer skills needed to do such things as apply for a job, use MyChart or handle other matters that increasingly can only be performed online. In May, the Trump administration canceled millions in federal digital equity funding, funds the president said were illegal, unconstitutional and “woke handouts based on race.”  Federally funded programs such as the Ohio Digital Inclusion Grant Program aim to help several populations, including rural residents, veterans and racial and ethnic minorities. Now, the local alliance’s plan to expand has been placed on hold. Instead of about 10 digital navigators throughout Cuyahoga County, there are about half that number. CCPL avoided laying off digital navigators after three found jobs within the library system. The alliance, which also includes partners in Lorain County, is not deterred by the federal funding being canceled and will look for other options, said Rebecca Ranallo, CCPL’s literacy and learning director. These include non-government grants and other funding. The alliance’s partners in Cuyahoga County had previously received both federal and local foundation grants.