We conduct innovative pilots.
Social isolation & loneliness is a problem in San Francisco.
Without reliable internet access, working devices, and basic digital literacy, older adults and adults with disabilities cannot participate fully in daily activities such as meeting with health care providers, managing benefits, banking, ordering groceries, or connecting with family and friends.
Bridging the divide is now more critical than ever before.
To that end, the SF Tech Council, along with members and partners, recently launched a number of tech-related pilots designed to reduce social isolation and loneliness improve, improve wellness outcomes, and increase financial security.
Equity & Innovation Pilot Project Grants
In 2021, SFTC awarded a total of $50,000 in grants to five local organizations to conduct pilots. SFTC administered the grant program in partnership with Community Living Campaign. Funding for this project came from Metta Fund. The grant-funded period for interventions was approximately six months, from April until November 2021.
The primary goal was to decrease the risk for social isolation and loneliness for older and disabled adults, particularly in underserved communities, by supporting interventions that increased digital access, improved digital literacy, and provided tech support.
Adult Day Services Digital Connections Pilot
The Adult Day Services Digital Connections Pilot was launched in June 2021. This innovative project emerged from the Board of Supervisors’ budget addback process in Fall 2020 in which the Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS) directed $100,000 toward reducing isolation and loneliness among seniors through piloting technology interventions with Community-based Adult Services (CBAS) clients.
Kickstart Your Business at 50+ Pilot
SF Tech Council and private sector partner Blissen received a grant from San Francisco’s Office of Economic & Workforce Development to pilot two 10-week online entrepreneurship programs to guide aspiring older adult entrepreneurs through the step-by-step process of bringing their business ideas to life. The first cohort of 20 participants will begin in January 2022; the second cohort will begin in March.