Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Webinar on Newly Adopted Strategic Plan
The Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) is a federal interagency council that coordinates funding and provides expertise on human services transportation for people with disabilities, older adults, and individuals of low income. Last week, the council adopted the 2023-2026 CCAM Strategic Plan . The plan prioritizes expanding safe access to transit and providing affordable mobility options. The plan also sets a framework for collaboration among CCAM grantees at all levels and across jurisdictions.
The Federal Transit Administration will be hosting a webinar on the CCAM Strategic Plan Wednesday, November 30, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm ET.
During the webinar, FTA will discuss:
- The importance of transportation coordination,
- How the Strategic Plan was developed,
- The Strategic Plan’s impact on CCAM grantees and stakeholders,
- Next steps for implementation and avenues for public involvement, and
- Questions and comments from participants.
“Roads Are Getting Deadlier For Pedestrians; Fatality Rates Are Worse For Minorities” – NPR
“Last summer, Lucy Le was killed on a street near her Virginia home by a neighbor backing out of her driveway. Her daughter, Laura Pho, now draws a new memorial to her mother every day on the pavement where she died. “It’s my meditation,” she says. “It’s my way of honoring her.” – Courtesy of Laura Pho
by Camila Domonsoke
“Every day, Laura Pho walks outside her home and creates a new memorial — a chalk drawing, usually of a heart — on the patch of pavement where her mother died last summer.
“‘I can see it from my office window,’ Pho says. ‘It’s nice to be able to see just these bright, beautiful drawings that remind me of my mother, who was also bright and beautiful.’
‘Pho’s mom, Lucy Le, was out for her daily meditative walk when a neighbor backing her SUV out of her driveway struck and killed her. Pho ran out immediately to the scene, and her life ‘shattered into a million pieces,’ she says.
“Lucy Le’s death was part of a tragic trend. According to a report from the Governors Highway Safety Administration, which tracks pedestrian fatalities, America’s roads are getting deadlier.”
“No More Emotional Support Peacocks As Feds Crack Down On Service Animals On Planes” – NPR
“Under a new rule issued last week by the Transportation Department, only dogs that meet strict service animal standards will be allowed to fly with passengers. Orlando, emotional support animal, ESA.” (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
by David Schaper
“The days of bringing your emotional support cat, pig or even a miniature horse on a plane may soon be coming to an end. The federal government is enacting a new rule restricting the types of service animals allowed on commercial airline flights, allowing only dogs that meet specific training criteria.
“The new Department of Transportation rule is in response to a growing backlash in recent years to airline passengers trying to bring all kinds of wild and outlandish pets onto planes, including the woman who tried to bring an “emotional support” peacock on board a United Airlines flight in 2018, and the “comfort” turkey that was actually allowed to fly on Delta Airlines back in 2016.
“‘It’s gotten really out of control,’ says Paul Hartshorn, Jr., a flight attendant for American Airlines and spokesperson for the flight attendants’ union there. ‘For years, our members have been dealing with untrained, sometimes wild animals in the aircraft cabin.
“‘For the most part, I will say it’s dogs that are not properly trained, but we’ve seen everything from pigs, to monkeys, to hamsters. You name it, we’ve seen it,’ Hartshorn added.
“The untrained animals can have behavioral issues, and some even relieve themselves on the plane.”
Continue reading this article at NPR; click here.
Resource sharing: MATP Workgroup Listening Sessions
“Your input matters! The Department of Human Services and other stakeholders are working on suggestions to improve Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP). Whether you use the program now or are eligible to use the program to get to your medical appointments, we welcome your feedback.
We invite you to attend one of the following three online sessions. You will hear more about the suggestions and have the chance to ask questions and give us your thoughts.
- Option 1: Tuesday, November 17 from 6:00-7:30pm. (Register here)
- Option 2: Wednesday, November 18 from 1:00-2:30pm. (Register here)
- Option 3: Friday, November 20 from 10:00-11:30am. (Register here)
There are two ways to attend a session. You will receive more information closer to the date:
- Download and use the GoToWebinar software on your computer, tablet, or smart phone (video is not required).
- Call with a landline or cellphone (you can listen to the session, but not ask questions if calling directly from a landline or cellphone).
If you have questions about these sessions, please submit them here. Thank you for considering this opportunity to provide your opinion. We look forward to hearing from you.
“Medical Transport Company in Pennsylvania Offers Ride Service to General Public During COVID-19 Crisis”
Integrated Medical Transport, the largest provider of non-emergency medical transportation in Pennsylvania, will offer service to the general public beginning March 23 for those who rely on public transportation and are concerned about the spread of COVID-19.
Integrated Medical Transport’s vehicles are cleaned twice between transports, adhering to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clinical cleaning protocol guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies. Vehicles are sanitized upon arrival at a client’s pickup location to create the cleanest possible environment prior to transport. This also provides clients with an opportunity to witness the sanitation procedure. Vehicles are then sanitized immediately after a client is dropped off at their destination to minimize the risk of carried contamination and exposure between clients.
Additionally, drivers undergo a body temperature check before the start of their shifts and each are trained in the use of Personal Protective Equipment to maximize infection control.
“While our country and our state continues to institute unprecedented measures to counter the spread of COVID-19, there are individuals who count on ride-hailing services and other public transportation options for essential travel,” said Integrated Medical Transport Chief Executive Officer Matt Rohman.
“These individuals will be rightfully concerned about the risk of exposure to the virus and community spread. This is why we have decided to put our premium medical transport fleet to work as an alternative to ride-hailing services, ride-sharing services and taxis.
Customers will not only have a comfortable ride but can take comfort knowing our vehicles are sanitized before and after each ride in accordance with EMS transportation standards.
”Transport service for the general public will be available within Integrated Medical Transport’s Pennsylvania service area (map) including the following regions and counties:
- Central Pennsylvania (counties of Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lebanon, Lancaster, Perry and York).
- Lehigh Valley (counties of Lehigh and Northampton)•Southeastern Pennsylvania (counties of Bucks, Chester and Montgomery)
- Bloomsburg-Berwick-Sunbury(counties of Northumberland and Snyder)
- Berks County
- Carbon County
- Juniata County
- Monroe County
- Schuylkill County
To make a reservation for a ride, customers can call Integrated Medical Transport at (717) 590-8179, email reserve@integratedmedicaltransport.comor
Integrated Medical Transport has reduced its lowest medical transport rate for the purpose of general public rides. The general public ride base rate is $40.00 each way plus $2.50 per mile.
The company plans to offer transport services to the general public until the threat of COVID-19 has passed.
About Integrated Medical Transport Integrated Medical Transport, based in Mechanicsburg, PA, is the largest provider of non-emergency medical transportation in Pennsylvania. Founded in 2017, the company provides ambulance and paratransit services in 20 counties throughout the state, operating out of five offices with a team of more than 140 employees. Since its inception, Integrated Medical Transport has redefined medical transportation by providing a concierge-level service experience at a significant discount as compared to traditional ambulance and paratransit companies. Additionally, the company provides medical transportation and logistics services to hospitals and health systems, skilled nursing facilities and hospice providers.
For more information, visit www.integratedmedicaltransport.com.
SOURCE: news release
Three reports to expand your knowledge on aging issues
Here are three comprehensive reports about topics that are increasingly important as people age. To view or download each report click on on one of the graphics below.
Families Caring for an Aging America | Family caregiving affects millions of Americans every day, in all walks of life. At least 17.7 million individuals in the United States are caregivers of an older adult with a health or functional limitation. The nation’s family caregivers provide the lion’s share of long-term care for our older adult population. They are also central to older adults’ access to and receipt of health care and community-based social services. Yet the need to recognize and support caregivers is among the least appreciated challenges facing the aging U.S. population.
The Health and Medical Dimensions of Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults | How do social isolation and loneliness affect health and quality of life in adults aged 50 and older? How can clinical settings of health care to help reduce the incidence and adverse health impacts of social isolation and loneliness?
Cognitive Aging: Progress in Understanding and Opportunities for Action | For most Americans, staying “mentally sharp” as they age is a very high priority. Declines in memory and decision-making abilities may trigger fears of Alzheimer’s disease or other neurodegenerative diseases. However, cognitive aging is a natural process that can have both positive and negative effects on cognitive function in older adults – effects that vary widely among individuals. At this point in time, when the older population is rapidly growing in the United States and across the globe, it is important to examine what is known about cognitive aging and to identify and promote actions that individuals, organizations, communities, and society can take to help older adults maintain and improve their cognitive health.
“Department of Human Services Releases Report on Medical Assistance Transportation Program”
Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Human Services has released its report on the potential impact on the state’s Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP) being administered by regional brokers for all regions of the commonwealth. MATP provides non-emergency medical transportation for Medicaid-eligible consumers who do not otherwise have access to no-cost transportation. DHS oversees the entire MATP and the commonwealth offers and provides funding for MATP in all 67 counties.
“The Medical Assistance Transportation Program is a vital resource for people who would otherwise not be able to access transportation to their physician, pharmacy, dentist, or other necessary services,” said DHS Secretary Teresa Miller. “We want to be sure we are choosing the correct path forward so we can guarantee MATP’s sustainability and consistency for years to come.
Act 40 of 2018, which amended the Human Service Code, required DHS to issue a solicitation for statewide or regional brokers where the broker is at full or partial‑risk to provide MATP services. The MATP currently operates differently across the 67 counties – a broker model in Philadelphia County and as in-house or county-administered models in the other counties.
DHS has completed an analysis created in collaboration with the Pennsylvania departments of Transportation and Aging as required by Act 19 of 2019 and has issued its report to the Legislature. The report focuses on the potential impact of the MATP being administered through a brokerage model in all areas of the commonwealth.
To read the full report,click here
- MATP consumers are a mix of low‑income, medically needy, and aged populations who are sensitive to disruption to care. It would be important to have measures in place to ensure a successful transition if the delivery model is changed.
- DHS could save money with a broker, but a potential for county transit budgets to suffer proportionally exists depending on how much brokers might disengage from other public transportation programs. The extent of any such disengagement is not known.
- Regardless of the model Pennsylvania uses, oversight and quality metrics are critical to MATP.
- The commonwealth currently has an efficient program. Even outside of metro areas, rural counties are keeping trip costs low, and regardless of the model, MATP is a cost‑saving benefit to the commonwealth.
“Transportation is critical to our quality of life, especially for medical care,” Acting PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said. “We are continually looking at ways to efficiently provide services while also supporting and enhancing the tools that Pennsylvanians rely on.”
“We appreciate the opportunity to review our program and we are always looking for ways to improve our services for the people who use them,” said Secretary Miller. “Now that we have a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of MATP, I’m confident that we will find solutions that will continue to best serve the commonwealth.”
DHS will work with entities involved in MATP discussions, including the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association, to explore options for the administration and service delivery of the MATP. While these options are being explored, DHS will not award a statewide brokerage contract.
SOURCE: news release
What is the Veterans’ Trust Fund?
The next time you apply for or renew your Pennsylvania driver’s license or photo ID or renew your motor vehicle registration, you will have an opportunity to make a $3 tax-deductible contribution to the Veterans Trust Fund [VTF]. Since this additional $3 is not part of the renewal fee printed on your renewal application, you will need to add the donated amount to your payment. The same process would be followed if you renew online via PennDOT’s website.
The Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF) was established in 2012 by Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C. S. § 1721). The VTF is a special, non-lapsing fund of the Pennsylvania State Treasury. The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is authorized to solicit and accept donations to the VTF on behalf of the Commonwealth.
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