View Research by Author - Pho Palmer

Publications

Little attention has been paid to whether funding from federal faith-based initiatives is reaching its intended partners, such as congregations in low-income neighborhoods that on a daily basis assist some of the nation's most vulnerable and needy people. Using a sample of congregations in three low-income wards of the District of Columbia, this brief explores how congregations are responding to the initiatives and their experiences in working with government.

Few technologies have spread as quickly, or become so widely used, as computers and the Internet. However, there are significant disparities in ownership and use by age, race and economic status. To address these disparities, a wide variety of local agencies have risen to the challenge of providing residents with access to information technology. To gain a clearer understanding of the availability and use of information technology in local communities, the Urban Institute conducted a study of public computer access in three areas of the District of Columbia. This study highlights the need for targeted program investment, coordinated training and services, and alternative staffing strategies for technology support. A set of recommendations are listed for service providers, government, and philanthropy, for improving public access computing in the District of Columbia.

Return to list of authors