MAG Human Services Transportation Newsletter - July 2024
Maricopa Association of Governments sent this bulletin at 07/05/2024 10:02 AM MST
Photo courtesy of Maricopa Association of Governments
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ANNOUNCEMENTSTransportation Ambassador Program (TAP)Save the date for the next TAP Meeting on August 20, 2024, from 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom, registration is free. The purpose of the meeting is to provide information and resources regarding human services transportation for older adults and persons with disabilities. Presentations will include updates from Valley Metro, the City of Phoenix, and Maricopa County Department of Public Health, and an agency spotlight. You can register for the TAP meeting now with the new registration link.
FEATURED STORIES
Photo courtesy of National Aging and Disability Transportation Center The Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Community is seeking input from individuals and organizations on the Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging. By completing a short online survey, you can help shape the national plan on aging. Comments can be submitted until September 15, 2024. Share your thoughts and learn more on the National Plan on Aging website.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Photo courtesy of National Aging and Disability Transportation Center The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has released a funding opportunity to test and evaluate navigator services in Older Americans Act (OAA) funded caregiver support programs. ACL will award one cooperative agreement for a project of national scope for a duration of 36 months, with three, 12-month budget periods. The amount of federal funds available will be up to approximately $882,000 per year. The successful grantee and their partners will work to build the capacity of OAA-funded Title III-E/VI-C programs and the entities administering them to provide caregiver navigator services. Applications are due August 5, 2024, and can be accessed through the following link.
Photo courtesy of National Aging and Disability Transportation Center The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a funding opportunity for health care coverage navigators. CMS makes grant awards available to organizations who serve as Navigators. Navigators assist consumers with outreach, education, and help in applying to enroll in affordable insurance programs. CMS expects to award a total of $500 million over the five-year period. For the first 12-month budget period, $100 million is available to be awarded this fall. This is the largest investment in the navigator program to date. Applications are due July 8, 2024, and can be accessed through the following link.
Photo courtesy of National Aging and Disability Transportation Center The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has announced nearly $2 million to support state implementation of the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. ACL will award four cooperative agreements to State Units on Aging (SUA) to undertake a range of activities in response to the notice of funding opportunity. Each project will be funded for a period of 24 months of up to $490,000. Grantees will be expected to focus on implementing three of the five goals of the Strategy, as determined by the state’s needs and priorities. Applications are due by August 6, 2024, and can be accessed through the following link.
MAG HOSTED WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS
Photo courtesy of Maricopa Association of Governments The 2024 Regional School Crossing Guard Training Workshops, sponsored by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), are now open for registration. Three in-person training sessions are scheduled for July and August and will last three hours. Approximately 750 school crossing guards are expected to attend the workshops, while others will be able to watch recordings posted on the MAG Safe Routes to School website. School crossing guards who are interested in participating in the training workshops must register online no later than 48 hours before the selected event date and time. Information and the registration link are available at https://azmag.gov/srts, or by calling MAG at 602-254-6300. MAG offers monthly human services transportation provider trainings and workshops facilitated by our subregional mobility managers. The trainings and workshops cover topics such as drivers’ safety, fleet management, and include an opportunity to discuss current service providers topics. The next workshop to be held will be a two-session workshop series on the topic of Transporting Passengers with Special Needs. These workshops will offer tips and best practices on communicating with passengers with special needs, assistance techniques, and safety procedures. Andrea Williams, Subregional Mobility Manager, and Heather Peralta, Lead Certified Instructor from Gompers, will present strategies that participants can put into practice in their daily activities. July Workshops Transporting Passengers with Special Needs – Part 1
Transporting Passengers with Special Needs – Part 2
August Workshops Driver Safety
Preventative Maintenance
If you have a suggestion for a story, an announcement you would like to share, questions about transportation program best practices, or would like to provide feedback for the newsletter, contact Lauren Read at LRead@azmag.gov.
TAP Recognition NominationsThe Transportation Ambassador Program (TAP) values the diligent work of drivers and staff at agencies providing transportation services to the community. At the last TAP meeting we recognized Cynthia Contreras from Hacienda for Years of Service and Joe Suffi from Northwest Valley Connect as Driver of the Quarter. Cynthia is a Transportation Specialist and has been at Hacienda Healthcare for 22 years. She has held multiple roles during that time and is described as the most pleasant, punctual, and detail-oriented person this world has to offer. Hacienda staff has described her as someone who will step up when needed and completes any task given with deep pride.  Photo courtesy of Hacienda Healthcare Driver of the Quarter recognition went to Joe Suffi from Northwest Valley Connect. Joe joined the team in 2023 and follows all policies and procedures. Riders continually share stories at least once a month on how Joe has gone above and beyond to assist them. Northwest Valley Connect staff has noted Joe truly cares about his riders and hasn’t missed a day or been late since joining the team.  Photo courtesy of Northwest Valley Connect Nominations are now open to recognize an Outstanding Driver or staff member Years of Service at your agency. Selected nominees will be recognized at the TAP meeting in August. Nomination forms for Outstanding Drivers and Years of Service are also available on our website. Nominations are due August 12, 2024. We greatly appreciate the support you provide for our community members!
RESOURCES
MAG fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related authorities and regulations in all programs and activities. For more information on rights afforded under Title VI, relevant activities at MAG, or if you feel these rights have been violated, please visit the agency website at www.azmag.gov or call 602-254-6300. MAG, para todos sus programas y actividades, cumple totalmente con el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 y con las relacionadas autoridades y regulaciones. Para obtener más información sobre los derechos reconocidos en el Título VI, las actividades pertinentes de MAG, o si siente que sus derechos han sido violados, por favor visite el sitio web de la agencia en www.azmag.gov o llame al 602-254-6300.
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Maricopa Association of Governments | 302 N. First Avenue, #300, Phoenix 85003, AZ Phone: (602) 254-6300 | Email: mag@azmag.gov |
