Cablefax The Magazine - July 2017 - 9

2017 TOP OPS AWARDS
MSO SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Cox Communications
Corporate social responsibility takes a lot of different
forms. For some, it involves giving back to the environment.
For others, it involves teaching children to read. However,
some of the most important unsung heroes of social
responsibility are those who focus on underrecognized issues
like Cox Communications, who has been championing
Internet access since 2002.
Since then, Cox has developed its Connect2Compete
program aimed at providing affordable Internet service and
devices to low-income students and their families. The program
is open to families with K-12 children who qualify for
free or reduced school lunch through the National School
Lunch Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Cox has been steadily building on the program, partnering
last year with the US Department of Housing and Urban
Development to extend the initiative to families with schoolaged
children who reside in public housing, as well as K-12 families
who receive tenant-based vouchers, project-based vouchers or
Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance.
Cox and ALA senior leaders join community leaders at partnership announcement in Arizona.
to help more families thrive online, and entire communities will reap
the returns on this investment, " she says. " We urge more corporations
to follow Cox's lead and leverage the expertise, technology
infrastructure and digital resources offered by our nation's libraries. "
Another recent addition to the program was to expand it into improving
" digital literacy " among those who aren't accustomed to regularly
using the Internet as a tool. The decision was made last year
to evolve Cox's program to focus more on digital literacy training
" through partnerships with The Boys & Girls Club and providing net
smart curriculums to students who go to The Boys & Girls Club as
well as great partners like Common Sense Media, " says Amy Quinn,
Cox's executive director of public affairs.
Cox believes the training will help families learn to navigate the
Internet in a helpful way and to use it as an educational tool. The MSO
didn't want to dive head fi rst into uncharted territory alone though.
" We were dipping our toe in it but we weren't making a concerted
effort. So, we did some research and all roads led to the ALA, " says
Quinn.
The ALA, or American Library Association, happened to already be a
national partner in the ConnectHome Initiative and a great opportunity
for a digital literacy partnership.
" They are the undisputed national leader in providing critical tools,
curriculums and skills and training to families across the entire
country. So, we developed a partnership with them where we
promote their digital literacy tools and they promote our discounted
service offer, but perhaps more importantly we're going to be hosting
joint training sessions in community events, " Quinn explains.
ALA president Julie Todaro is enthusiastic about the pairing. " Cox's
investment in public libraries and DigitalLearn.org extends our reach
Cablefax: The Magazine
July 2017
One of the most tangibly positive aspects of Connect2Compete is the
effect it has on whole families, not just students. According to Quinn,
Cox's research shows that after enrolling in Connect2Compete,
not only are student grades increasing but parent interactions with
teachers are improving as well. Beyond parent-teacher interaction,
the program is looking into how its partnership with the ALA can
reach the next level.
" What does that mean for job training, what does that mean for
health care and access to doctors and something as simple as being
able to purchase your public transit access online rather than having
to go down to the station and deal with a person? " asks Quinn. Cox
is looking to fi nd out.
FAST FACTS
uMore than 280,000 families (equivalent to over a
million people) have been granted Internet access as a
result of Cox's Connect2Compete initiative.
u There are more than 16,500 physical public libraries
in communities of all sizes across the country.
u Cox and local libraries are collaborating on digital
literacy and Internet adoption initiatives, including a
cross-channel advertising campaign on Cox's lineup.
cablefaxmag.com
9
- Katie Nale
http://www.DigitalLearn.org http://www.cablefaxmag.com
Cablefax The Magazine - July 2017

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