Technology, Accountability/Accreditation and CTE Director
BEAM Survey:
The Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM) is asking schools to share two important surveys with families. Both surveys can be found on the BEAM Homepage: Welcome to the Mississippi Broadband Office! (broadbandms.com).
- Internet Speed Test: The “Test your Internet” survey will help BEAM develop accurate maps of internet availability to identify where help is needed most.
- Broadband Connectivity Survey: This brief survey asks families about their internet connection to help BEAM understand barriers to connecting families.
The results of these surveys will help BEAM target state and federal resources to ensure that all families in Mississippi have access to a reliable internet connection. In addition, you can learn more about the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program that provides internet and laptop discounts to eligible recipients.
Affordable Connectivity Program:
We request your help in spreading the word to school food authorities in your States about a new program to lower costs for families and close the digital divide. As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the President and Congress created the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households up to $30/month (or $75/month for households living on Tribal lands) toward their internet bills, as well as a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet.
All households with a child who was approved to receive free or reduced price school meals under the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program, within the last 12 months, including children who attend schools participating in the Community Eligibility Provision, are eligible for ACP benefits. Households are also independently eligible if (1) their income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level ($55,500 for a family of four); or (2) a member of the household participates in certain other Federal benefit programs—including, among others, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Medicaid, and Federal Public Housing Assistance.
To further lower costs, the Biden-Harris Administration secured commitments from internet service providers across the country to offer high-speed plans that are fully covered by the ACP. As a result, millions of working families can now get high-speed internet without paying a dime.
Families can check their eligibility, sign up, and find fully covered plans at GetInternet.gov (mobile-
About 13 million households have enrolled, but tens of millions more have not yet claimed their ACP benefit. We need your help to ensure all eligible families in your State sign up to save on their internet bills.
To support your efforts, please feel free to use the following resources:
- GetInternet.gov—a one-stop shop to learn about ACP, check eligibility, enroll, and find fully covered internet plans.
- ACP Outreach Toolkit—outreach materials from the Federal Communications Commission, including sample factsheets, flyers, PSAs, text messages, social media posts, and more.
- Outreach partners can request the pre-qualification widget to embed on their own websites by emailing ACProgram@usac.org
with the subject line “ACP Widget" for technical support. In the email, please include the web address where you plan to add the widget. The interactive widget includes questions to check eligibility and apply for ACP. - White House Fact Sheet on the ACP and its benefits.
Additionally, please note that this benefit is not considered income for purposes of determining eligibility for free and reduced price school meals.
FNS appreciates the exceptional efforts of State agencies to assist families in need through the promotion of programs like the ACP. Together, we can connect those we serve to a support network that bolsters families and communities. If you have questions, please contact your Regional Office.