<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0LkPbo_1H36gBBP00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0LkPbo_1H36gBBP00" width="1200" height="800" ><figcaption>Photo by Kaitlyn Baker on Unsplash</figcaption></figure>Local news about the companies, people and issues that impact business in Westchester County and beyond.For many people, checking a medical test result or applying for a job takes only a few clicks. But for Westchester residents unfamiliar with computers, navigating those online services can be a challenge.Open Door Care Network is helping patients overcome those barriers through a digital literacy program that teaches essential computer skills, from accessing healthcare information to searching for employment.Developed in 2021 in collaboration with the STEM Alliance and supported by funding from Kendal on Hudson, the program offers digital literacy classes and individualized assistance to patients who need help navigating online services, says Yanira Padilla Cruz, Open Door Care Network’s associate director of care coordination, who oversees the program.Recent classes have included participants ranging from their early 20s to their mid-80s. Lessons are offered in both English and Spanish.“Participants learn skills they can apply to their own lives, from fulfilling routine tasks with greater ease and convenience to expanding their education, career options, social capital and overall wellness,” says Ross Sandoval, Open Door’s senior manager of community education.The program comes as more everyday services move online, including healthcare appointments, job applications, and access to medical records. According to the Pew Research Center, people with lower incomes, those with less formal education, and older adults are more likely to face barriers to digital access.At Open Door, classes begin with basic computer skills before progressing to online safety, protecting personal information, and identifying reliable sources of information.Participants also receive help accessing Open Door’s patient portal, joining virtual healthcare appointments, and locating community resources online.Jenifer Mendez, Open Door’s community education specialist, helps run the program. She says the classes teach participants how to find reliable information, protect themselves online, access patient portals, and use digital community resources.“They begin the program feeling very hesitant and leave with the confidence, independence, and ability to navigate an increasingly digital world,” Mendez says. “It provides them with economic opportunities and empowers them to build a better future. It truly transforms their lives.”<h2>Learning to apply for jobs</h2>For one middle-aged participant, the classes offered an opportunity to pursue employment and contribute financially to her family.Although she occasionally used a cellphone, she had little experience with computers and felt technology was keeping her from accessing new opportunities.Many of the jobs she found required online applications, email communication, or a résumé. She wanted to find a job and help her family but felt stuck because she didn’t know how to use technology to accomplish those tasks.Through the program, she learned how to use a computer, create and manage an email account, navigate the internet, and work with digital documents, program officials say.She also discovered online tools for creating résumés and searching for job opportunities, giving her a new way to explore employment.“By the end of the program, she shared that she no longer feels intimidated by technology,” Sandoval says. “Beyond the technical skills she gained, she also built confidence in herself and in her ability to keep learning and reach new goals.”The experience gave her the skills to apply for jobs and feel more comfortable working online and using a computer.“Her story is an example of how access to digital education can transform lives, open doors to economic opportunities, and empower individuals to build a better future,” Sandoval says.The program has provided digital literacy support to 2,050 unique patients so far, Cruz shares.The program is available to Open Door Care Network patients, with referrals made by the care team. Once Mendez receives a referral, she calls the patient to complete a digital literacy screening. Classes are subject to funding availability and opportunities to collaborate with partners.</div></body>

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Local news about the companies, people and issues that impact business in Westchester County and beyond. For many people, checking a medical test result or applying for a job takes only a few clicks. But for Westchester residents unfamiliar with computers, navigating those online services can be a challenge. Open...

Westchester Program Helps Patients Build Confidence Navigating the Digital World

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Local news about the companies, people and issues that impact business in Westchester County and beyond. For many people, checking a medical test result or

Westchester Program Helps Patients Build Confidence Navigating the Digital World

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