The Program
Connected Dallas is designed to provide a full spectrum of digital touchpoints for community members that meet them where they are, whether phone, text, chat, online or in-person. This ensures community members are educated, trained, and connected to all services that require connectivity to improve quality of life. The Connected Dallas framework is provided by National Digital Inclusion Alliance.
How it Works
Physical locations within neighborhood organizations that serve serve as walk-in centers for one-on-one support, and places to host events and classes. Applications for our next round of anchor sites will open in late spring 2023!
Our website serves as Dallas’ central hub for resources to get connected to internet and digitally-based services. With up-to-date information and immediate support via chat, the website serves as a go-to resource for the community.
Talk directly to a Dallas County Connects agent who can help with your questions on internet access and the ACP Program, or refer you to additional resources. Visit the site to talk to an agent, or call (469) 946-9491.
Individuals are trained and empowered to bring the Connected Dallas program and resources to friends at neighbors at Community Anchor Sites and beyond! Learn more about our Ambassador Program and apply today!
Dallas Innovation Alliance
The Dallas Innovation Alliance was founded in 2015 to support building a smart city here in Dallas. We define that as finding ways to bring new solutions to our community through new ideas, community engagement, data and technology. Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) manages the Connected Dallas program and oversees all the working elements and teams.
Our Team
Alexa Francisco
Community Support Manager
Jennifer Sanders is Cofounder and Executive Director of the Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) a 501c3 public-private partnership dedicated to supporting the design and execution of a smart cities plan for Dallas. She brings expertise across a broad array of industries including energy, technology, economic development, nonprofit and finance, serving in functions including communications, stakeholder relations, change management and operations. She is active with numerous civic organizations, serving as a Past President of the Mayor’s Star Council, Boards of Mastercard’s CityPossible, the Suicide & Crisis Center of North Texas, Better Block, Digital Texas, Southwestern Medical District Master Plan, among others. She graduated from the University of Virginia.
Alexa Francisco joined the Dallas Innovation Alliance and Connected Dallas in Fall 2023 as Community Support Manager, and will be working to support our Community Anchor Sites, Digital Ambassadors and Community Partners in engaging with the Connected Dallas program. Alexa joined the DIA from the Texas Trees Foundation, where she focused on the Cool Schools Program, working with communities and schools to create safe and cool places to play.
Allissa York is our Community Support Coordinator, working with Alexa to plan and operate programming with the Digital Ambassadors working in the community! Allissa has been with DIA from for the past several years serving as a Site Guide with our Mobile Learning Lab program, and we're so thrilled to have her in this new role!
Sofia Cifuentes started as our new Digital Inclusion Program Coordinator a few weeks ago! She is a dynamic, resourceful, driven leader with a demonstrated history of changing the culture within higher education and the non-profit industry. She holds a degree in psychology and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Science in Information Technology at Dallas Baptist University. Sofia has a proven track record of student outreach, program development and implementation, and Event coordination. She will be one of your new points of contact for inquiries regarding our Mobile Learning Lab.
Karmenly Alegria recently joined DIA as a Business Process Specialist. She is analytical, data-driven, and an enthusiast of refining and implementing processes to help meet and achieve operational needs. Karmenly's experience involves supporting various software applications, reporting, and project management. She holds a BBA in Information Systems from The University of Texas at San Antonio and is a graduate student in UTSA's Master of Science in Data Analytics program.
Allissa York
Community Support Coordinator
Jennifer Sanders is Cofounder and Executive Director of the Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) a 501c3 public-private partnership dedicated to supporting the design and execution of a smart cities plan for Dallas. She brings expertise across a broad array of industries including energy, technology, economic development, nonprofit and finance, serving in functions including communications, stakeholder relations, change management and operations. She is active with numerous civic organizations, serving as a Past President of the Mayor’s Star Council, Boards of Mastercard’s CityPossible, the Suicide & Crisis Center of North Texas, Better Block, Digital Texas, Southwestern Medical District Master Plan, among others. She graduated from the University of Virginia.
Alexa Francisco joined the Dallas Innovation Alliance and Connected Dallas in Fall 2023 as Community Support Manager, and will be working to support our Community Anchor Sites, Digital Ambassadors and Community Partners in engaging with the Connected Dallas program. Alexa joined the DIA from the Texas Trees Foundation, where she focused on the Cool Schools Program, working with communities and schools to create safe and cool places to play.
Allissa York is our Community Support Coordinator, working with Alexa to plan and operate programming with the Digital Ambassadors working in the community! Allissa has been with DIA from for the past several years serving as a Site Guide with our Mobile Learning Lab program, and we're so thrilled to have her in this new role!
Sofia Cifuentes started as our new Digital Inclusion Program Coordinator a few weeks ago! She is a dynamic, resourceful, driven leader with a demonstrated history of changing the culture within higher education and the non-profit industry. She holds a degree in psychology and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Science in Information Technology at Dallas Baptist University. Sofia has a proven track record of student outreach, program development and implementation, and Event coordination. She will be one of your new points of contact for inquiries regarding our Mobile Learning Lab.
Karmenly Alegria recently joined DIA as a Business Process Specialist. She is analytical, data-driven, and an enthusiast of refining and implementing processes to help meet and achieve operational needs. Karmenly's experience involves supporting various software applications, reporting, and project management. She holds a BBA in Information Systems from The University of Texas at San Antonio and is a graduate student in UTSA's Master of Science in Data Analytics program.
Sofia Cifuentes
Program Coordinator
Jennifer Sanders is Cofounder and Executive Director of the Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) a 501c3 public-private partnership dedicated to supporting the design and execution of a smart cities plan for Dallas. She brings expertise across a broad array of industries including energy, technology, economic development, nonprofit and finance, serving in functions including communications, stakeholder relations, change management and operations. She is active with numerous civic organizations, serving as a Past President of the Mayor’s Star Council, Boards of Mastercard’s CityPossible, the Suicide & Crisis Center of North Texas, Better Block, Digital Texas, Southwestern Medical District Master Plan, among others. She graduated from the University of Virginia.
Alexa Francisco joined the Dallas Innovation Alliance and Connected Dallas in Fall 2023 as Community Support Manager, and will be working to support our Community Anchor Sites, Digital Ambassadors and Community Partners in engaging with the Connected Dallas program. Alexa joined the DIA from the Texas Trees Foundation, where she focused on the Cool Schools Program, working with communities and schools to create safe and cool places to play.
Allissa York is our Community Support Coordinator, working with Alexa to plan and operate programming with the Digital Ambassadors working in the community! Allissa has been with DIA from for the past several years serving as a Site Guide with our Mobile Learning Lab program, and we're so thrilled to have her in this new role!
Sofia Cifuentes started as our new Digital Inclusion Program Coordinator a few weeks ago! She is a dynamic, resourceful, driven leader with a demonstrated history of changing the culture within higher education and the non-profit industry. She holds a degree in psychology and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Science in Information Technology at Dallas Baptist University. Sofia has a proven track record of student outreach, program development and implementation, and Event coordination. She will be one of your new points of contact for inquiries regarding our Mobile Learning Lab.
Karmenly Alegria recently joined DIA as a Business Process Specialist. She is analytical, data-driven, and an enthusiast of refining and implementing processes to help meet and achieve operational needs. Karmenly's experience involves supporting various software applications, reporting, and project management. She holds a BBA in Information Systems from The University of Texas at San Antonio and is a graduate student in UTSA's Master of Science in Data Analytics program.
Karmenly Alegria
Business Process Specialist
Jennifer Sanders is Cofounder and Executive Director of the Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) a 501c3 public-private partnership dedicated to supporting the design and execution of a smart cities plan for Dallas. She brings expertise across a broad array of industries including energy, technology, economic development, nonprofit and finance, serving in functions including communications, stakeholder relations, change management and operations. She is active with numerous civic organizations, serving as a Past President of the Mayor’s Star Council, Boards of Mastercard’s CityPossible, the Suicide & Crisis Center of North Texas, Better Block, Digital Texas, Southwestern Medical District Master Plan, among others. She graduated from the University of Virginia.
Alexa Francisco joined the Dallas Innovation Alliance and Connected Dallas in Fall 2023 as Community Support Manager, and will be working to support our Community Anchor Sites, Digital Ambassadors and Community Partners in engaging with the Connected Dallas program. Alexa joined the DIA from the Texas Trees Foundation, where she focused on the Cool Schools Program, working with communities and schools to create safe and cool places to play.
Allissa York is our Community Support Coordinator, working with Alexa to plan and operate programming with the Digital Ambassadors working in the community! Allissa has been with DIA from for the past several years serving as a Site Guide with our Mobile Learning Lab program, and we're so thrilled to have her in this new role!
Sofia Cifuentes started as our new Digital Inclusion Program Coordinator a few weeks ago! She is a dynamic, resourceful, driven leader with a demonstrated history of changing the culture within higher education and the non-profit industry. She holds a degree in psychology and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Science in Information Technology at Dallas Baptist University. Sofia has a proven track record of student outreach, program development and implementation, and Event coordination. She will be one of your new points of contact for inquiries regarding our Mobile Learning Lab.
Karmenly Alegria recently joined DIA as a Business Process Specialist. She is analytical, data-driven, and an enthusiast of refining and implementing processes to help meet and achieve operational needs. Karmenly's experience involves supporting various software applications, reporting, and project management. She holds a BBA in Information Systems from The University of Texas at San Antonio and is a graduate student in UTSA's Master of Science in Data Analytics program.
Jennifer Sanders
Executive Director
Jennifer Sanders is Cofounder and Executive Director of the Dallas Innovation Alliance (DIA) a 501c3 public-private partnership dedicated to supporting the design and execution of a smart cities plan for Dallas. She brings expertise across a broad array of industries including energy, technology, economic development, nonprofit and finance, serving in functions including communications, stakeholder relations, change management and operations. She is active with numerous civic organizations, serving as a Past President of the Mayor’s Star Council, Boards of Mastercard’s CityPossible, the Suicide & Crisis Center of North Texas, Better Block, Digital Texas, Southwestern Medical District Master Plan, among others. She graduated from the University of Virginia.
Alexa Francisco joined the Dallas Innovation Alliance and Connected Dallas in Fall 2023 as Community Support Manager, and will be working to support our Community Anchor Sites, Digital Ambassadors and Community Partners in engaging with the Connected Dallas program. Alexa joined the DIA from the Texas Trees Foundation, where she focused on the Cool Schools Program, working with communities and schools to create safe and cool places to play.
Allissa York is our Community Support Coordinator, working with Alexa to plan and operate programming with the Digital Ambassadors working in the community! Allissa has been with DIA from for the past several years serving as a Site Guide with our Mobile Learning Lab program, and we're so thrilled to have her in this new role!
Sofia Cifuentes started as our new Digital Inclusion Program Coordinator a few weeks ago! She is a dynamic, resourceful, driven leader with a demonstrated history of changing the culture within higher education and the non-profit industry. She holds a degree in psychology and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Science in Information Technology at Dallas Baptist University. Sofia has a proven track record of student outreach, program development and implementation, and Event coordination. She will be one of your new points of contact for inquiries regarding our Mobile Learning Lab.
Karmenly Alegria recently joined DIA as a Business Process Specialist. She is analytical, data-driven, and an enthusiast of refining and implementing processes to help meet and achieve operational needs. Karmenly's experience involves supporting various software applications, reporting, and project management. She holds a BBA in Information Systems from The University of Texas at San Antonio and is a graduate student in UTSA's Master of Science in Data Analytics program.