Mark your calendar for Jan. 6, 1 PM Eastern: Don’t miss the first USDLA Free Friday Webinar of 2023!

A Note from Webinar Chair Valary Oleinik — We are excited to launch the 2023 Free Friday USDLA Webinar Series, starting with our Jan. 6 event, Telehealth in our Libraries — An Update on this National Trend with presenter Janet Major from 1-2 PM Eastern. Following that, Kristin DeProspero will answer questions about the $1 million Rural Utilities Service Distance Learning and Telemedicine (RUS-DLT) Grant. See more below.

We are also happy to promote great webinars being hosted by our sponsors. Below you’ll find information about the Yellowdig Learner Engagement Summit 2023 — Jan. 11, 9:00 AM Eastern — Jan. 12, 7:30 PM EST. Don’t miss this no-cost conference, which will have many great opportunities to learn from your peers and discuss the future of education.

Questions, or if you’d like to host a USDLA webinar, reach out to me! — Valary, voleinik@usdla.org


Here are some highlights of what to expect from the event:

  • Yellowdig will kick off the first day with a short introduction from founder and CEO Shaunak Roy. Then, he will turn it over to Mark Milliron, President, and CEO of National University.
  • The day will flow following how a student would engage with an institution’s offerings across their time with the institution. For example, we’ll discuss orientation and co-curricular activities with the University of Michigan and Depaul University.
  • Throughout the two days, you’ll have the opportunity to hear from Yellowdig users innovatively and effectively driving engagement in their courses across many subjects, including Philosophy, Business, Language Learning, and Clinical/fieldwork.
  • There will be options to attend roundtable discussions featuring leaders, designers, and faculty members from institutions including Arizona State University, Boston University, Babson College, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Central Florida, and others.
  • Each day, we’ll conclude with a riveting keynote from a prominent leader in the field. On January 11th, we will hear from Thomas Cavanagh, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Digital Learning at the University of Central Florida. On January 12th, we’ll conclude the conference with a message from Richard Senese, Ph.D., L.P., President of Capella University.

Click here to register and learn more about the schedule and speakers!


Friday, Jan. 6: Telehealth in our Libraries — An Update on this National Trend

Presenter: Janet Major at 1 PM EST

At 2 PM: Stay for a follow-up session on the RUS grant by Kristin DeProspero. Details are below.

About the National Telehealth Trend: The future of delivering healthcare and improving access must include investing in technology and telecommunications connectivity in public places. Space that’s accessible to the public in locations where we can have private conversations about our health, whether we are at our local library, school, or visiting a mobile unit with internet connectivity. Technology + Connectivity can connect everyone in our communities to healthcare, including clinical and educational applications.

In this session: We will explore several state programs and modalities currently being used to provide access to healthcare in our trusted public places for people who often need it most. Investing in and managing technology and devices for those who do not own them is critical to increasing access to healthcare, empowering patients, and eliminating the digital divide. We will also explore several exciting programs from across the United States while sharing best practice protocols that will include everything from delivering telehealth services to our schools, in our libraries as well as the use of mobile units that provide not only technology and telecommunications connectivity but also deliver space and the ability to connect to our communities “anywhere” including the local food bank. The possibilities are endless if you have access to what you need to connect. A wide variety of useful resources will be provided, including potential funding opportunities along with the contact information for the National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers (NCTRC) and organizations in YOUR home state who are leading the way.

About Janet Major: As the Associate Director for Innovation & Digital Health for the Arizona Telemedicine Program (ATP) and the Southwest Telehealth Resource Center (SWTRC), Janet’s role includes the planning, development, and installation of the teleconferencing and telemedicine technology used for providing telemedicine services in a wide variety of locations. She provides training for all healthcare professionals in the effective use of videoconferencing for clinical and educational applications used for LIVE interactive and store-and-forward applications. Janet served as President and Chair of the United States Distance Learning Association during her 10-year tenure on their Board of Directors. Ms. Major has been active throughout her career with the network of telecommunications experts of Arizona. She continues to participate in activities that support our state’s broadband office and as an Associate Board Member of ATIC.

Click here to register for the webinar: https://usdla.org/usdla-friday-webinar-series/


Also on Jan. 6, at 2 PM EST: Kristin DeProspero will be back at 2 PM following Janet’s webinar

Topic: Answer additional questions about the $1 million Rural Utilities Service Distance Learning and Telemedicine (RUS-DLT) Grant

About the RUS DLT Grants: These are specifically designed to increase access to education, training and healthcare resources for organizations in rural America. Awards range from $50,000 to $1 million and are due Jan. 30, 2023. In this workshop, you’ll learn more about the grant, the application, and more. Don’t miss it!

About Kristin DeProspero: Kristin is the VP of Grant and Adoption Services at Solutionz, Inc. She has been a proven leader in the unified communications field, dedicated to healthcare and education applications, for over 30 years. Using innovative thinking and her specialized knowledge of a range of grant opportunities, including, but not limited to, E-rate, USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant, BTOP, School-Based Health Center Capital Grant, and HRSA grants, Kristin has helped countless schools, institutions, and organization secure funding so they could bring the best tools and resources to their learners. She is also a member of the USDLA Board of Directors.

Click here to register for the webinar: https://usdla.org/usdla-friday-webinar-series/