In 2024 CES identified a need for Digital Literacy focused programming in northern Kentucky (C7/C8). This led to the hiring of a Digital Literacy Agent to serve the 8 counties of Northern Kentucky in late September 2024.

In October 2024 the Digital Literacy Agent began reaching out to various community partners as well as extension networks to establish awareness of the new initiative across the C7/C8 Area. In one such county, Pendleton, the Digital Literacy Agent was able to build off of the extensive reach, knowledge, and trust of the local FCS Agent to quickly start a partnership with the Falmouth Senior Center which quickly grew into a monthly recurring program with participant interest in increasing the program to bi-weekly classes.

The program was intended to target older adults (60+) throughout the region.

Over just the 1st two classes in the series (November and December 2024) the Digital Literacy Agent was able to engage 51 attendees (potential repeat attenders, but at least 31 unique individuals) on topics including digital scam awareness and privacy settings within digital devices. Attendees were 96% 60 and older, and 2/3rds female, aligning with presumed demographics for our target audience.

While the digital literacy initiative itself is still young (roughly 4 months old) the dramatically positive response from Pendleton County demonstrates need and interest among the target audience beyond the Digital Literacy Agent's initial expectations. Of the 18 participants who elected to fill out a survey following the first class on "Online Scams"  94% stated that they felt more confident in their ability to identify online scams and 89% felt they had learned how to practice safer internet use. While conversations with participants after the class revealed that for some, awareness of these scams made them less likely to use financially connected services online, 100% of survey participants stated they felt better prepared to be good digital citizens after attending the class.

The high turnout for the classes, request for repeat classes and a potential increase in frequency, and positive outcomes identified by survey respondents indicate that CES was indeed correct in identifying Digital Literacy as a need for Norther Kentucky. These results also indicate increased programming would be welcome and could lead to further positive outcomes.