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Members Present:
Brigida Gonzalez, CCMPO, Regional Transportation Coordinator
Michael Day, DARS, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Martin Ornelas, Kleberg Health Center, Director
Esmeralda Garza, REAL, Inc.
Abel Alonzo, Consumer
Margie Del Bosque, Kleberg County Human Services
David Garcia, Kleberg County Human Services, Transportation
Coordinator
Barbara Johnson, WorkForce Solutions
Irene Martinez, WorkForce Solutions, Disability Program Navigator
(2:30 p.m.)
Pam Miles, WorkForce Solutions, Program Specialist - Transportation
(2:30 p.m.)
Judy Telge, Coastal Bend Center for Independent Living
Oscar Vargas, Corpus Christi RTA
Ed Carrion, Corpus Christi RTA
Easter
Seals Project Action – People on the Move
Training
for Easter Seals Project Action - People on the Move was
presented and shared with TCN members. Training covered general
information of transportation issues. Five major points of
discussion were:
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Identify transportation options in your community and
opportunities to coordinate:
It was noted that as participants of the TCN, members are aware
of the need to explore transportation options as well as pursue
opportunities to coordinate. We will continue to stay informed
and learn from other communities with respect to what they are
doing and how they are doing it.
-
Training for drivers and staff who deal with consumers WHO HAVE
DISABILITIES:
The importance of this topic was addressed and input from TCN
members was requested regarding the effectiveness of current
staff training efforts. Kleberg County Human Services offered
how they provide Passenger Assistance Safety Service Training
which covers basic safety regulations and customer service.
Information on RTA’s use of persons with disabilities to train
staff on customer service and passenger handling was presented.
It was noted that having individuals with disabilities conduct
training provides staff with a firsthand perspective of what a
disabled passenger experiences when using services. The RTA
recognized the new teaching method for significantly impacting
the quality and effectiveness of their training. TCN members
were notified that the possible awarding of PTN funds could make
monies available later this fall for supplemental training
activities. It was recommended that sensitivity training be
incorporated in standard customer service training.
-
Fixed route - identifying and finding remedies for service
issues:
Information on how to assist riders plan multiple task trips by
educating them on the uses and availability of fixed routes was
presented. While coordination is an ongoing process, we need to
keep working to connect organizations and transportation
providers with each other. As transit providers, we want
consumers to know of the services available to them. In order to
create more ease with traveling between different transit
providers, an option to be considered is a fare voucher system.
This would allow the rider to choose a service and pay for it
with a voucher. As part of our continual information exchange
between transit and our HHSC partners, the “Do You Need a Ride?”
poster with general service, fare, and trip information on
regional transportation service providers was presented.
-
Knowing Your ADA rights and Responsibilities:
Providers indicated having knowledge of ADA, but it was not
consistent or identical knowledge, i.e., how to distinguish
service dogs from pets, how to ask the right questions to
collect information from consumers, and taxis and manual
wheelchair assistance. Members acknowledged ADA rights and
responsibilities would be a beneficial topic for a future
meeting as ADA definitions and regulations are changing. Input
on web sites to consider for the most updated ADA information,
i.e., Department of Justice web site was discussed. Relevant ADA
links and information would be added onto the TCN website.
Consideration for hosting a paratransit specialist at a future
meeting was discussed.
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Better understanding of funding issues:
The general consensus of the group was that here again
inconsistent knowledge of the topic created the need to clarify
the appropriate and effective use of 5310, 5311, JARC, New
Freedom, and other funds.
Funding Opportunities
TxDOT
Public Transportation Coordination Call:
TxDOT has issued information on a new procedure that allows the
applicant to request multiple funding sources for public
transportation projects – i.e. JARC, New Freedom, State Planning
Assistance, Rural Transportation Assistance, Intercity Bus, and
Rural Discretionary – through the use of one proposal. Upcoming
requests and proposals should be submitted by December 12,
2008. For more information visit our TCN web site (www.tcncb.org)
or contact our TxDOT representative, Stephen Ndima at
361-808-2351.
Coordination Update
Volunteer systems in our community:
As
part of our previous discussion – held during our last TCN
meeting, it was noted that rural providers are offering services
beyond curb-to-curb service. The service being providing is more
through-door service. As a result of this heightened level of
service, the discussion explored the need to consider
alternatives to this service level as the financial impact is
significant and budgets are tightening. The question raised was,
“What, if any, additional funding is available for this level of
service?” Paisano Express from Kleberg County indicated they
provide free escort service for passengers over age 60 with 5311
grant money. This is the result of county commissioner’s
commitment to service residents. There were no other providers
present that offer this same benefit.
Following up on May’s dialogue, the Regional Transportation
Coordinator (RTC) contacted Volunteer Services of the Coastal
Bend to seek information that could assist rural providers. The
intent was to locate volunteers that could assist passengers
with traveling and hence help alleviate rural services from
through-door to curb-to-curb service. By applying to the
volunteer system, we verified our non-profit status. Once
enrolled, we were now able to post our requirements and access
thousands of volunteers. One area of concern was the need to
“clear” individuals volunteering as “eligible” and safe for our
program. The clearance process would prove to be yet another
financial burden to be addressed. Another possibility discussed
was consideration of faith-based volunteers – posting in area
churches.
Rural
providers discuss experiences with shared trips:
During our May TCN meeting, rural providers were invited and
encouraged to actively participate in coordinating trips with
each other. While coordination continues to be absent, providers
were again reminded of the need to start coordinating and
sharing trips.
Mr.
Martin Ornelas offered information on the upcoming Mental Health
Consumer Voice Training to be held on August 26th and
27th which includes participants from Jim Wells,
Brooks, and Kleberg Counties. He suggested that transportation
to the event might be a great opportunity for transportation
providers to try and coordinate trips.
TxDOT
Workshop in Austin (July 23 & 24, 2008) – Building Partnerships:
Moving Forward:
The
workshop agenda was provided. The primary purpose of the
workshop is to provide guidance and share information with lead
agencies and our partners on ways to enhance community
transportation services through coordination. RTC and some TCN
members will attend this training.
Discussion of additional needs/TCN member input
Southwest Transit Association Workshop in Corpus Christi (August
17 – 19, 2008):
A preliminary agenda and registration form was provided. The
purpose of this workshop is to learn how to provide safe,
effective, and affordable ADA and paratransit service. Rural
transportation providers and TCN members are encouraged to
participate.
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