This Month in
Human Services Transportation

Human Services Transportation Newsletter | December 2024

Transportation Ambassador Program

Photo courtesy of Maricopa Association of Governments

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Transportation Ambassador Program (TAP)
Save the date for the next TAP Meeting scheduled for February 25, 2025, 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 an Agency Spotlight. For more information about TAP, follow this link. You can register for the TAP meeting now with the registration link.

FEATURED STORIES

Photo courtesy of Ellie Mental Health

Ellie Mental Health's mission is to compassionately transform the culture of mental health care by providing creative solutions that make wellness accessible in every community. Utilizing Client Access Specialists who will match clients with a therapist based on their schedule and personal needs. A personalized plan including strategies and resources is developed with the therapist to build skills needed to thrive. They have five locations including Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Phoenix/Paradise Valley, and North Phoenix/Deer Valley. For more information on Ellie Mental Health follow the link to their website.

Photo courtesy of Arizona Department of Transportation

I-10 Broadway Curve Project
At the November TAP meeting, Quinn Castro from MAG and Nicole Moon from the Broadway Curve Project Team presented on the I-10 Broadway Curve project. The I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project runs along 11 miles of I-10 between the Loop 202 and I-17 near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Through the planning process which included public input, this project was identified as a way to reduce travel times during peak hours; improve airport access; and support ridesharing and transit. The I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement is ADOT’s largest urban freeway reconstruction project. For more information and updates about the project, follow this link.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Photo courtesy of National Aging and Disability Transportation Center

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research announced a new funding opportunity for the Switzer Research Fellowships Program. The Switzer Research Fellowship Program aims to support participants in conducting research on rehabilitation, independent living, and other experiences and outcomes of people with disabilities. Learn more and apply by following this link.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Photo coutresy of National Aging and Disability Transportation Center

The National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center (NADRC) is hosting a webinar on specialized aging support. The webinar will focus on dementia care for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are at high risk for living with dementia. The webinar will be held on December 9, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Registration for this free webinar can be completed by following this link.

RESOURCES

Photo courtesy of National Aging and Disability Transportation Center

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announce their Medicaid Transportation Coordination fact sheet. The fact sheet builds from the Medicaid Transportation Coverage Guide and encourages partnerships to improve the accessibility and efficiency got non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT).

Photo courtesy of National Aging and Disability Transportation Center

The Administration for Community Living (ACL), in collaboration with the National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults, has announced a call for social engagement innovations to identify interventions, programs, and services that address social isolation. Submissions will be considered for inclusion in the Social Engagement Innovations Hub and are due by December 13, 2024. To learn more and submit your innovation, follow this link.

TAP RECOGNITION NOMINATIONS

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 November. Nomination forms for Outstanding Drivers and Years of Service are also available on our website. Nominations are due November 11, 2024. We greatly appreciate the support you provide for our community members!

MAG HOSTED WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS

MAG offers monthly human services transportation provider trainings and workshops facilitated by subregional mobility managers. The trainings and workshops cover topics such as driver safety, fleet management, and include an opportunity to discuss current service providers topics.

December Workshops

Preventative Maintenance

• December 4, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – Register here.

Passenger Assistance, Safety and Sensitivity (PASS) Training

• December 13, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Register here.

Workshop Wrap-Up

Workshops facilitated by subregional mobility managers provide valuable information about a wide variety of topics. Below are a few key takeaways provided by subregional mobility managers who facilitated the previous month’s workshops.

De-Escalation Tip
When transporting a passenger, it is important to understand that behavior is a form of communication. Ask yourself what the individual could be communicating. All behavior is an attempt to get something or to get away from something. If communication puts the person or others in danger, there is an opportunity to teach new ways to communicate to get their need met. First is to determine the function or purpose of the behavior. This can be accomplished by developing a positive relationship with the person that consist of trust, patience, and fondness.

Provided by Heather Peralta, Gompers Training Manager

Fleet Management and Data Reporting Tip
Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare your reports. Ask for help. The City of Phoenix and MAG staff want all subrecipients to succeed and are will willing to help.

Provided by Dawn Hocking, Subregional Mobility Manager – South-Central Valley

Recordings and materials of previous workshops hosted by MAG can be viewed on the Human Services Transportation Workshops webpage.

MOBILITY MANAGERS CORNER

Photo courtesy of Maricopa Association of Governments

Driver Retention Survey Results
In September, a Hiring and Retention Focus Group was held facilitated by the Subregional Mobility Mangers. Participants suggested conducting a survey of transportation drivers to gather information on why drivers chose an agency and stay in their position. MAG staff developed a survey that was forwarded out to subrecipients of Section 5310 funding. The following are key highlights from the driver survey.

• 34 percent of drivers indicated they were on their job between one and four years, 30 percent 10 or more years, 19 percent less than one year, and 17 percent between five and nine years.
• 35 percent of respondents said their job included only driving and 65 percent have duties other than driving.
• The top three reasons drivers indicated they stay at their agency was the enjoyment of the work they do and the clients they serve, appreciating the mission of the agency, and the agency offers good pay and benefits.

Next steps are to review all materials to develop a summary of hiring and retention best practices that will be shared with all stakeholders.

Provided by Lauren Marshall, Human Services Transportation Planner

Photo courtesy of Maricopa Assoiation of Governments

Vehicle Sharing via the Disposal Process
Sub-Regional Mobility Manager Billy Parker facilitated “Lemme Outta This Box” training on November 26.  This training covered a variety of topics revolving around the sharing of 5310 assets with special emphasis on the newly revised Vehicle Disposal Policy and process.

Within the vehicle disposal portion of the training, Billy covered vital definitions including but not limited to “Useful Life” & “Fair Market Value”, as well as review of the 2024 City of Phoenix Vehicle Disposal Policy. The training also included an examination of distinct process differences for vehicle disposal depending upon age, mileage, condition, and other values. 

You can view the recording of the workshop and download the workshop materials here.       

Provided by Billy Parker, East Valley Subregional Mobility Manager

RESOURCES

• MAG Human Services Transportation Workshops
• MAG Connect-A-Ride
• MAG Transportation Ambassador Program
• MAG Subregional Mobility Managers
• MAG Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Transportation Committee
• Human Services Coordination Transportation Plan Update

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.

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.

Maricopa Association of Governments | 302 N. First Avenue, #300, Phoenix 85003, AZ

Phone: (602) 254-6300 |  Email: mag@azmag.gov