Reading and Beyond, Family Success Zone (FSZ), is a place-based initiative targeting children and families in the high-poverty 93701 zip code in the City of Fresno. FSZ, through its Family Navigators, works directly with families in this zip code to help them build self-sufficiency skills, ensure children read and perform at grade level and adults overcome educational and professional barriers to employment. Based on our experience working with families in this area, we believe lack of access to broadband Internet and computer technology adversely affects student’s academic performance as well as job skills and job connections for adults. FSZ is working with the Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) to plan a “School2Home” program expected to start in the fall of 2017. Reading and Beyond will use the grant amount from the California Emerging Technology Fund to prepare the ground for implementation of this program and accomplish the set goals and objectives.
Emerging Technology Fund - Final Report