The Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (OTAN) Wins COABE's 2025 State Innovation of the Year Award!

The Outreach and Technical Assistance Network (OTAN) is honored to announce that we have received the 2025 State Innovation of the Year Award from the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE). This award celebrates OTAN's dedication to advancing adult education in California through innovative technology integration and leadership development. The award is sponsored by Dollar General Literacy Foundation and will be presented at the 2025 COABE National Conference in Dallas, Texas.

​This award recognizes OTAN's nearly four decades of commitment to supporting adult education agencies and educators through professional development, resources, and educational technology training. OTAN provides:

• Online and in-person edtech training for adult educators
• Resources for online, in-person, and blended learning
• Digital collaboration and educational resources
• Academies, symposia, and advisory groups to help adult education providers shape the future of digital education

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The Digital Leadership Academy (DLAC) is at the heart of OTAN’s innovation, evolving from the previous Technology Integration Mentoring Academy (TIMAC) and the Online Teaching Academy (OTAC). DLAC is a two-year, comprehensive professional development program designed to create leaders in technology and enhance educators' skills in technology integration, digital learning, and blended teaching. The program aligns with each agency's Continuous Improvement Plan goals and strategic plans. The Continuous Improvement Plan is a strategic goal setting deliverable to guide California adult education provider organizations in enhancing their performance and achieving goals through a process of planning, implementation, evaluation, and adjustment. DLAC includes:

• In-Person professional development
• Online project meetings
• Customized online coursework offered in partnership with the EdTech Center at World Education
• A shared space that allows for collaboration, networking, and the sharing of ideas, problems, and solutions
• A designated edtech coach for each site
• Site visits from coaches and OTAN staff
• Ongoing teamwork on project goals

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OTAN is funded by the California Department of Education-Adult Education Office. Hosted/managed by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE). OTAN’s mission is to support teachers, support staff, and administrative staff as they work with adult learners throughout California. DLAC addresses the challenge of preparing adult education agencies to implement, enhance, and maintain digital, distance, hybrid, hyflex, and blended learning solutions for adult learners. DLAC helps teams that take part to develop customized projects and goals to integrate technology and digital learning while fostering leadership, ensuring that agencies can implement digital solutions effectively and sustainably. DLAC has shown a significant impact, including:

• Increased enrollment and persistence in adult education programs
• Improved digital literacy skills for staff and students
• Expanded access to education in underserved areas
• Enhanced leadership and professional development opportunities
• Creation of sustainable frameworks for technology integration

 
DLAC’s success is evident in a number of ways. When new technology and practices are adopted, the outcomes that are measured highlight successful implementation. DLAC tends to impact multiple programs at an agency, not just those that participate in the academy. DLAC also connects adult education programs across the state that collaborate during and after the program. The program’s success depends on strong administrative commitment, team participation, and ongoing support from OTAN’s coaches, ensuring equitable access across California’s diverse adult education community. DLAC's innovations have been widely shared and referenced, with numerous programs adopting its approach.
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COABE’s State Innovation of the Year Award celebrates the hard work and dedication of the OTAN team and its impact on adult education in California. We are truly honored and extremely grateful to receive this recognition from our adult education colleagues.

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