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Consumer Action (CA), a San Francisco-based national non-profit education and advocacy organization, today announced a Telecommunications Community Education Project to educate low and moderate-income consumers about changes in the telecommunications industry and how consumers can better choose services they need.

“With the changes taking place in the telecommunications industry, now more than ever there is a pressing need for information for all consumers on how to get the services that they need at the lowest cost,” said Ken McEldowney, executive director of CA.

Consumer Action, founded in 1971, offers many free services and serves consumers nationwide by advancing consumer rights. Consumer Action develops consumer education modules for its network of more than 9,000 community based organizations of which 2,500 are based in California.The modules include brochures in Chinese, English, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese.

CA’s most recent effort is the Connect to Lifeline and Save, educational module that contains in-language brochures and a leaders guide to assist community-based organizations in counseling clients on changes in the LifeLine program.

The LifeLine program, formerly known as the Universal Lifeline Telephone Service, provides monthly discounts to qualified California wireline telephone consumers.

Consumer Action collaborates with telephone service providers, local community based organizations, other consumer groups and the California Public Utilities Commission to expand and broaden community educational outreach efforts and successes.

“AT&T California recognizes the outstanding work that Consumer Action provides to our diverse communities in California,” said Rhonda Johnson, AT&T Vice President, Regulatory Affairs.

“The Connect to Lifeline and Save project provides critical information on the changes to the California Lifeline program that consumers in all communities need to be aware of," noted Johnson. "We look forward to continuing our work on this valuable project and future efforts that will help raise consumer awareness.”