The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration hosted more than 25 federal agencies to further coordinate efforts to educate vulnerable Americans about the February 17, 2009, deadline to transition to digital television and the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. During the meeting, NTIA and Federal Communications Commission officials provided updates on their coordinated consumer education activities and other federal agency officials discussed immediate action needed to be taken to urge unprepared consumers to get ready now. Federal agencies participating in the meeting included the Department of Veterans Affairs; Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging; Department of Agriculture; Department of Homeland Security; the Appalachian Regional Commission; the National Council on Disabilities; and the Social Security Administration. To date, more than 20 million households have requested more than 39 million coupons and redeemed more than 16 million coupons since the program opened on January 1, 2008.
