About the C3 Catholic Communication Collaboration
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles is the largest Catholic Archdiocese in the United States, serving nearly five million Catholics in approximately 600 locations, including 287 parishes, over 250 schools, a seminary, cemeteries and mortuaries, and various social service, administrative, and ministerial offices. It encompasses Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties and serves over 100 ethnic groups, with Mass offered in nearly 50 languages and dialects each week. Archdiocesan schools currently serve over 73,000 students, and over 150,000 young people and adults participate in religious education programs.
In the 1960s, the Archdiocese initiated a lead role in reaching across traditional Catholic education models, by leveraging newly available FCC licenses to pursue an innovative technology solution for a broad-based, 8,000 square mile and challenging environment made up of loosely connected schools and parishes. The Archdiocese, through one of its civil corporations, acquired Instructional Television Fixed Service broadcast (ITFS) spectrum licenses issued by the FCC and now holds licenses for the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara GSAs. For many years, the licenses provided instructional television (ITV) to Catholic schools through traditional “line-of-sight” broadcast signals. In 2004, when the FCC re-purposed the ITFS educational spectrum to the 2.5 Ghz Educational Broadband Service (EBS) configuration permitting cellular wireless broadband service, the Archdiocese took the opportunity to do a full industry assessment seeking a lease and services arrangement with a business partner that would allow it to enter the new era and provide even more robust technology for education throughout the Archdiocese. This led to 30-year leases in 2006 for Los Angeles and Santa Barbara spectrum with Clearwire which transitioned to the Clearwire/Sprint commercial arrangement and is now again transitioning with the T-Mobile merger. The leases follow the FCC rules allowing a lease of no more than 95% of the spectrum with the Archdiocese retaining use of 5% of the spectrum under a services arrangement which has facilitated creative wireless initiatives for educational efforts in our schools and parishes.
In 2009, the Archdiocese launched the "C3 Catholic Communication Collaboration" initiative to use the EBS spectrum and lease benefits to expand use of and access to technology resources for educational purposes throughout the Archdiocese. The C3 effort is funded with the significant resources provided under the Sprint leases and services agreements. Our leased EBS spectrum, in fact, is a cornerstone of T-Mobile’s 4G and 5G broadband deployment in Los Angeles, while access to the portion of the spectrum retained by the Archdiocese, allows the Archdiocese to obtain both services from T-Mobile and other third parties and allows direct access to T-Mobile’s broadband network for connectivity for devices and services.
The C3 initiative has become an umbrella for education and ministry technology efforts throughout the Archdiocese, a model for other dioceses and institutions, and a critical factor as schools and parishes address 21st century learning objectives and foster technology-based innovation in all areas of formal and informal education, administration, and ministry. In 2010, a Working Group was assembled to oversee a C3 pilot project and it has since become the de facto technology advisory committee for the C3 efforts in the Archdiocese. The Working Group focuses on opportunities and programs that can be adapted to local needs. The C3 plan is to provide robust wireless broadband communications connectivity and devices, using T-Mobile’s products and services to ensure effective use of the Archdiocese's EBS spectrum licenses; to utilize the FCC's E-Rate funding discounts and other parallel funding opportunities; to innovate in all areas of education, ministry and administration; and to improve services to our stakeholders throughout the community. In addition to the T-Mobile lease payments, which are directed to all education and technology aspects of the Archdiocesan Catholic Center budget and related efforts, direct funding and direct and indirect services have been provided under the Sprint services agreement to support the activities outlined below:
In the 1960s, the Archdiocese initiated a lead role in reaching across traditional Catholic education models, by leveraging newly available FCC licenses to pursue an innovative technology solution for a broad-based, 8,000 square mile and challenging environment made up of loosely connected schools and parishes. The Archdiocese, through one of its civil corporations, acquired Instructional Television Fixed Service broadcast (ITFS) spectrum licenses issued by the FCC and now holds licenses for the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara GSAs. For many years, the licenses provided instructional television (ITV) to Catholic schools through traditional “line-of-sight” broadcast signals. In 2004, when the FCC re-purposed the ITFS educational spectrum to the 2.5 Ghz Educational Broadband Service (EBS) configuration permitting cellular wireless broadband service, the Archdiocese took the opportunity to do a full industry assessment seeking a lease and services arrangement with a business partner that would allow it to enter the new era and provide even more robust technology for education throughout the Archdiocese. This led to 30-year leases in 2006 for Los Angeles and Santa Barbara spectrum with Clearwire which transitioned to the Clearwire/Sprint commercial arrangement and is now again transitioning with the T-Mobile merger. The leases follow the FCC rules allowing a lease of no more than 95% of the spectrum with the Archdiocese retaining use of 5% of the spectrum under a services arrangement which has facilitated creative wireless initiatives for educational efforts in our schools and parishes.
In 2009, the Archdiocese launched the "C3 Catholic Communication Collaboration" initiative to use the EBS spectrum and lease benefits to expand use of and access to technology resources for educational purposes throughout the Archdiocese. The C3 effort is funded with the significant resources provided under the Sprint leases and services agreements. Our leased EBS spectrum, in fact, is a cornerstone of T-Mobile’s 4G and 5G broadband deployment in Los Angeles, while access to the portion of the spectrum retained by the Archdiocese, allows the Archdiocese to obtain both services from T-Mobile and other third parties and allows direct access to T-Mobile’s broadband network for connectivity for devices and services.
The C3 initiative has become an umbrella for education and ministry technology efforts throughout the Archdiocese, a model for other dioceses and institutions, and a critical factor as schools and parishes address 21st century learning objectives and foster technology-based innovation in all areas of formal and informal education, administration, and ministry. In 2010, a Working Group was assembled to oversee a C3 pilot project and it has since become the de facto technology advisory committee for the C3 efforts in the Archdiocese. The Working Group focuses on opportunities and programs that can be adapted to local needs. The C3 plan is to provide robust wireless broadband communications connectivity and devices, using T-Mobile’s products and services to ensure effective use of the Archdiocese's EBS spectrum licenses; to utilize the FCC's E-Rate funding discounts and other parallel funding opportunities; to innovate in all areas of education, ministry and administration; and to improve services to our stakeholders throughout the community. In addition to the T-Mobile lease payments, which are directed to all education and technology aspects of the Archdiocesan Catholic Center budget and related efforts, direct funding and direct and indirect services have been provided under the Sprint services agreement to support the activities outlined below:
- Project IGNITE School Grant Program - Furthers the vision of academic excellence for Catholic schools through sustainable initiatives centered on utilizing technology to accelerate learning and growth of all students. The project has distributed over 28,000 connected iPads across 164 schools so far and is accompanied by network infrastructure, professional development for teachers and technical support. There has also been a transformation outside of school as C3 IGNITE iPads come ready-equipped with 4G LTE connectivity. Each device can also work as a hotspot, connecting other family devices to the internet for free. The program does not just overcome digital inequality for ADLA students—but for the students’ families as well.
- C3 E-rate Infrastructure Consortiums - Archdiocesan initiated and coordinated projects from RFPs through construction, to access US government E-Rate Category 2 discount funding for updated wired and wireless infrastructure construction in over 180 schools, for a total project cost of about $11 Million.
- C3 Resource Specialists Team - ACC based team of five individuals with advanced technology skills who act as "circuit riders" throughout the Archdiocese to assist parishes and schools in the use of technology. Since its inception in 2015 the team has logged more than 2,500 consultations at over 400 Archdiocesan locations, ranging from a single visit to long term assistance.
- OLALA - The Online Learning Academy of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. This online learning effort includes a high school health course, Mandated Reporting courses, Yammer Collaborative Groups, and new courses for school, parish and religious education needs. During the COVID pandemic, OLALA has been an active leader in professional development to transition schools and parishes to the “virtual” models.
- Clergy Connect - A collaborative wireless “network” providing smartphones, tablets, and applications for all active and retired clergy in the Archdiocese. More than 1200 devices are currently in active use.
- Sister’s Connect - A collaborative wireless effort in which the Archdiocese provides smartphones and tablets to the groups of women religious present in the Archdiocese. More than 600 devices are currently in active use.
- ADLA Administrative Handbook - An online handbook of administrative policies and resources for use by the entire Archdiocese. It is a core repository of knowledge and is being used daily by dioceses and institutions around the world.
- ACC and Location Technology - Continual modernization and maintenance of all administrative offices' computers, networks, phone systems, telecommunication services and other business-related systems; software development projects for Construction, ORE and other departments via contracting arrangements.
- C3 Maker Initiative - launched as a pilot in 2019 as a mobile maker lab for schools, the project has been redirected during the COVID pandemic to a “virtual” lab and learning resource.
- Annual C3 Tech Conference - provides high-quality professional learning and collaboration opportunities in using technology to enhance ministries and education. Normally a live conference, it is being done in the “virtual” for 2020.
PRINCIPAL C3 EFFORTS
Pilot (2010 to 2014) - at 25 selected schools, parishes and administrative offices, six concurrent sub-projects were executed. This was the first effort to test the C3 plans, deploy devices and provide training support, and to offer the Tech Conference.
C3 CONFERENCE - The role C3 evolved from the pilot, includes advising and responding to rapid adoption initiatives and find new strategies that can be sustained for the long term. The C3 Technology Conference was initiated, due to the rapid acceleration of new technology devices and resources for all aspects of formal and informal education, ministry and administration. The components of the C3 Pilot were concurrently adapted and evaluated in various locations. A critical aspect of all C3 Pilot efforts and Archdiocesan decisions still include responsible fiscal stewardship, initial and long term cost efficiencies and sustainability. Since 2012, the C3 Conference has had over 5,000 teachers, admins and parish staff participant in over 800 workshops.
RESOURCE SPECIALIST - a team of five individuals who assist parishes and schools to improve their use-of and access to technology. To date they have logged more than 2000 consultations at locations-varying from a single visit to long term assistance in planning for and implementing a complete technology revamp at the location.
E-RATE INFRASTRUCTURE and INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER CONSORTIA - C3 formed an E-rate discount infrastructure construction consortium in 2015 under the direction of the Working Group. Jointly funded by the US government, Sprint, schools and philanthropic grants-will have served more than 204 schools when the current construction round has completed. C3 formed an E-rate discount Internet service provider consortium in 2019. Currently 80 schools are receiving a highly discounted monthly service discount for high speed access.
IGNITE GRANT PROGRAM - The program has generated four Cohorts consisting of 132 schools with almost 24,000 Sprint-connected devices deployed. The program is significantly expanding the visions and realities of technology based efforts for Catholic Schools by providing Sprint devices with cellular data services, Sprint device deployment services and EdTechTeam professional training to launch initiatives centered on utilizing technology to accelerate learning and expand internet accessibility for students and families at school, home and anywhere in between.
ADLA ADMINISTRATIVE HANDBOOK - available online to all in the Archdiocese and beyond; regularly updated; data shows it is now understood as a core Archdiocesan resource and is also used daily by dioceses and other institutions around the world.
OLALA: Online Learning @ the Archdiocese of Los Angeles - high school health course will be used again in 2018 and will reach over 800 high school students; Mandated Reporting online course has launched; international student online orientation course is being piloted; a comprehensive Baptism sacramental preparation course has been launched in both English and Spanish; Yammer Groups are active and new courses for religious education, parish and school applications are in process.
CLERGY CONNECT - the collaborative wireless "network" providing smartphones, tablets and applications for active and retired clergy in the Archdiocese.
SISTERS CONNECT - the collaborative wireless effort in which the Archdiocese is providing smartphones and tablets to women religious and groups in the Archdiocese.
PCL CONNECT - the collaborative wireless effort, currently in providing smartphones and tablets to parish catechetical staff. The next round of devices will be delivered over several months beginning in Fall of 2019.
THE MAKER INITIATIVE - C3 has launched the new C3 Maker Initiative: Thinker Tank. The pilot year concluded in 2019-2020 and for 2020-2021 will give students and teachers in the Archdiocese, an opportunity to cultivate their creativity through maker projects and activities, while reinforcing the disciplines of math, science, engineering, architecture, design and art. The Thinker Tank will provide support and assistance to teachers and students as they develop their ideas, learn new skills and enhance working in a collaborative maker environment.
................... MORE PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES TO COME IN THE FUTURE WITH YOUR HELP AND PARTICIPATION ...................
C3 CONFERENCE - The role C3 evolved from the pilot, includes advising and responding to rapid adoption initiatives and find new strategies that can be sustained for the long term. The C3 Technology Conference was initiated, due to the rapid acceleration of new technology devices and resources for all aspects of formal and informal education, ministry and administration. The components of the C3 Pilot were concurrently adapted and evaluated in various locations. A critical aspect of all C3 Pilot efforts and Archdiocesan decisions still include responsible fiscal stewardship, initial and long term cost efficiencies and sustainability. Since 2012, the C3 Conference has had over 5,000 teachers, admins and parish staff participant in over 800 workshops.
RESOURCE SPECIALIST - a team of five individuals who assist parishes and schools to improve their use-of and access to technology. To date they have logged more than 2000 consultations at locations-varying from a single visit to long term assistance in planning for and implementing a complete technology revamp at the location.
E-RATE INFRASTRUCTURE and INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER CONSORTIA - C3 formed an E-rate discount infrastructure construction consortium in 2015 under the direction of the Working Group. Jointly funded by the US government, Sprint, schools and philanthropic grants-will have served more than 204 schools when the current construction round has completed. C3 formed an E-rate discount Internet service provider consortium in 2019. Currently 80 schools are receiving a highly discounted monthly service discount for high speed access.
IGNITE GRANT PROGRAM - The program has generated four Cohorts consisting of 132 schools with almost 24,000 Sprint-connected devices deployed. The program is significantly expanding the visions and realities of technology based efforts for Catholic Schools by providing Sprint devices with cellular data services, Sprint device deployment services and EdTechTeam professional training to launch initiatives centered on utilizing technology to accelerate learning and expand internet accessibility for students and families at school, home and anywhere in between.
ADLA ADMINISTRATIVE HANDBOOK - available online to all in the Archdiocese and beyond; regularly updated; data shows it is now understood as a core Archdiocesan resource and is also used daily by dioceses and other institutions around the world.
OLALA: Online Learning @ the Archdiocese of Los Angeles - high school health course will be used again in 2018 and will reach over 800 high school students; Mandated Reporting online course has launched; international student online orientation course is being piloted; a comprehensive Baptism sacramental preparation course has been launched in both English and Spanish; Yammer Groups are active and new courses for religious education, parish and school applications are in process.
CLERGY CONNECT - the collaborative wireless "network" providing smartphones, tablets and applications for active and retired clergy in the Archdiocese.
SISTERS CONNECT - the collaborative wireless effort in which the Archdiocese is providing smartphones and tablets to women religious and groups in the Archdiocese.
PCL CONNECT - the collaborative wireless effort, currently in providing smartphones and tablets to parish catechetical staff. The next round of devices will be delivered over several months beginning in Fall of 2019.
THE MAKER INITIATIVE - C3 has launched the new C3 Maker Initiative: Thinker Tank. The pilot year concluded in 2019-2020 and for 2020-2021 will give students and teachers in the Archdiocese, an opportunity to cultivate their creativity through maker projects and activities, while reinforcing the disciplines of math, science, engineering, architecture, design and art. The Thinker Tank will provide support and assistance to teachers and students as they develop their ideas, learn new skills and enhance working in a collaborative maker environment.
................... MORE PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES TO COME IN THE FUTURE WITH YOUR HELP AND PARTICIPATION ...................
