I&A + Transportation= Access What Aging and Disability Resource Centers Can Do ADRC TAE Call, February 15, 2007 Lynnda Bassham Lower Savannah Council of Governments Aiken, SC Posted 2/12/07

Lower Savannah COG/ADRC Our agency, Lower Savannah Council of Governments (LSCOG) became South Carolina’s Pilot ADRC in LSCOG is a regional planning and development organization and serves six counties in western South Carolina. ADRC target groups are older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers.

Lower Savannah COG LSCOG operates –ADRC and other human service programs –Public and human service transportation planning, administration, coordination and system development –Community planning, zoning, mapping, Census data maintenance –Community Development Block Grant program –Tourism program –Workforce Investment Act Program –Road, highway planning, etc.

Lower Savannah COG/ADRC ADRC Programs currently include –Area Agency on Aging –LTC Ombudsman –Family Caregiver Support –Medication Assistance Program –Information and Assistance –Benefits Counseling –Medicare Fraud Patrol –Rental Assistance –Legal Service Referrals –Mobility Information and Assistance

Regional Transportation Coordination LSCOG began working to enhance and coordinate public, human service and private transportation in the region six years ago Our state Department of Transportation designated us as a model project and funded us to do the work We work within their vision of creating a statewide system of public transportation by 2009

Regional Transportation Management Association Transportation in our six counties was operated primarily by autonomous human service agencies, serving their clientele in parts of the region Two counties had small public transit systems serving parts of their areas Four counties were not served at all with public transportation

Regional Transportation Management Association Medicaid transportation patterns provided basis for other shared-vehicle coordination of trips Technology use by providers was uncoordinated and very limited Some providers had no history of collaboration Significant duplication in out-of-county medical trips

Regional Transportation Management Association LSCOG formed RTMA Involved MOU’s with local governments and invitations to stakeholders to participate Provided basic structure for bringing transportation providers together We involved them in regular meetings

Working Together In 2003 we brought the public and human service providers most interested in coordination together for strategic planning RTMA Partners developed a vision and action steps, which became the basis for LSCOG’s work plan over the following years They told us what they needed and wanted; we worked together to pursue it

Our Regional Vision “In Lower Savannah RTMA, our transit system allows riders to travel seamlessly throughout our region, across our state and to neighboring states. Our infrastructure of compatible equipment, short client wait times, AVL systems, employer participation and regional computerized scheduling provides for designated transfer stations throughout the region and ties into rail and air travel. Information is accessible at a touch in transportation centers as well as related web sites. RMTA provides oversight and assists in securing sufficient funding for our operations. Our legislators understand and support our goal. We are the model for South Carolina.” RTMA Partners, 2003

Working Toward the Vision Providers identified communication as a major obstacle to coordination and efficient operation LSCOG acquired funds from an FTA Demonstration program to equip 100 partner vehicles with 800 MHz radios Radios enabled communication among systems and with emergency management We were first region to test and use Route Match scheduling, dispatching and reporting software given to us by SCDOT

We Began To Make A Difference LSCOG staff, worked with local leadership to address needs in smallest, poorest County After nine months of regular, local meetings the Allendale “Scooter” kicked off service in July –Involved local health and human service providers sharing empty seats on vehicles –Required no new vehicles –Involved radios and Route Match and is coordinated by a local mobility manager

Success Spreads Scooter is a resounding success Involved unusual partnerships, including faith- based, public, and educational resources 109 people are now regular riders who had no transportation before We developed a similar system in a neighboring county, which is also very successful, and are moving on to two additional counties to develop the model there

Systems Transformation Grant The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services gave SC a Systems Transformation Grant in 2005, that will enable LSCOG to develop and implement a regional Mobility Information, Assistance and Management Center CMS has recognized transportation as an essential part of access to services, benefits and independent community living in this grant program SC is only one of ten grantees focusing on transportation

Mobility Information, Assistance and Management Center Will “marry” our work with aging, disability assistance and transportation coordination into a local, comprehensive one-call center Center will provide “case management/travel agent” type services to help individuals plan transportation using resources available in the region and will provide mobility management services to coordinating regional transportation providers

Mobility Management Center Will test and use technology to make this work in a predominately rural setting Will work with RTMA partners to test new operating practices Will result in more transportation options for consumers

Aging, Disability and Mobility Center

ADRC/Mobility Center Will feature web-based information on transportation resources (SC Access) Will focus on individual needs Will target older adults, individuals with disabilities and people with lower incomes Will benefit many others Will advance coordination and efficiency

New Opportunities and Resources We received an implementation grant through SCDOT from the United We Ride Coordination Initiative to help develop the center We have just been selected as one of eight national grantees by USDOT for a grant under the Mobility Services for All Americans initiative to help plan in depth for needed operational technology

What ADRC’s Can Do At LSCOG, we have extraordinary focus on transportation as a part of access in our program, but… There are steps that all ADRC’s can take to enhance availability of transportation for consumers in their areas

What ADRC’s Can Do Find out which organization is involved in your area in the mandated Federal Transit Administration (FTA) “locally-developed coordination plans.” Ask your state Department of Transportation. Be” at the table” to represent the needs and interests of people who don’t have transportation or a voice to participate

What ADRC’s Can Do Encourage partner agencies to incorporate transportation needs as a part of overall consumer service planning and management Promote educational programs for consumers on how to access and use public transportation where available Learn who provides transportation in your area and advocate for more consumers needs to be met

What ADRC’s Can Do Advocate to decision makers in your community and state on the value of having transportation options for older adults, people with disabilities and the general public Get information from organizations like Community Transportation Association of America, Easter Seals Project Action and the new Senior Transportation Center at Easter Seals in cooperation with AoA Encourage your partner agencies who purchase or provide transportation to consider sharing resources and taking first steps to coordinate

For More Information… Lynnda Bassham Director, Human Services Lower Savannah Council of Governments PO Box 850 Aiken, SC (803)