Microtransit and Last Mile Transit Grants awarded
Last month, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced grants to support Microtransit and Last Mile transportation projects. This latest funding will help fourteen Regional Transit Authorities, the City of Salem, the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority, and a joint partnership of the City of Woburn, with Reading, Wakefield, and Burlington -- to expand and continue flexible transportation options that connect residents to jobs, schools, health care, public transit and other essential services across Massachusetts. For more information on the Microtransit and Last-Mile Transit Grant Program and the full list of grant recipients, please visit the program website.
Resources and Upcoming Webinars
Transportation for Massachusetts and the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute has released three reports highlighting the impact of three community transportation providers in rural regions in MA.
The TransitCenter has released the Transit Narrative Project that aims to help providers and advocates move support of public transit into action through data, storytelling, and enhanced messaging.
National Rural Transit Assistance Program and Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center (CCAM-TAC) are hosting Transit Manager Peer Roundtable-How to Collaborate with Partners for Local Match webinar at 2PM on December 15th.
CCAM-TAC has also released a Housing and Transportation Toolkit which serves as a guide for integrating housing and transportation strategies to promote community development. In addition, they have announced the Food Access and Mobility Toolkit to better support state and local transportation planners, public health departments, Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), community health centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), farmers market operators, food systems advocates, and federal and state transportation leadership in thinking about access to food resources in transportation planning.
Community Health & Digital Equity Surveys now open
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has opened the Community Health Equity Survey. Data will be used to help improve programs, guide funding and resource decisions, and support policies that address health inequities. Anyone age 12 or older can participate. It takes approximately 15-30 minutes to complete and is available in 11 languages.
The Executive Office of Aging & Independence (AGE) and Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative (MHAC) has opened the Digital Equity Survey designed for professionals who serve older adults, including Councils on Aging (COAs), Senior Centers, Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs), Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), and community-based organizations in Massachusetts. This survey data will be used to better understand the current landscape of digital equity programs and needs across Massachusetts. Responses will help to map existing resources and identify gaps, connect organizations to relevant resources and partners, inform future planning and statewide coordination, create a list of public-facing digital equity resources.
Funding Opportunities
Applications are open for the Massachusetts Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Rural Partner – Request for Applications (RFA). RHTP is a five-year federal investment designed to strengthen and transform rural health care across Massachusetts. RHTP is organized across seven Initiatives and 34 Activities designed to address priority needs in rural healthcare access, population health, workforce, technology, community health, emergency medical services, and facility modernization. Eligible entities can apply for a range of supports across activity areas. Applications must be submitted through COMMBUYS and are due Monday, October 26 at 5:00 p.m. Eligibility varies by activity area, and the RFA provides definitions of eligible entities.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation Catalyst Fund is also accepting applications. These grants provide up to $7500 to help community-based organizations strengthen their capacity to expand access to health and health care in Massachusetts. Applications for this cycle are due on November 5th.
The Charles H Farnsworth Trust is now accepting applications. Program interests include the development of housing, and especially housing with support services for older adults. In addition funds can be used for research, planning and communication to better inform individuals, institutions and communities on ways to improve the quality and quantity of housing and support services for older adults. Capital grants range between $25,000 and $250,000. Operating and Program grants range from $10,000 to $25,000. Applications are due on November 15th.
As mentioned previously, the Community Transit Grant, Operating and Mobility Management Program is open and applications are due on October 30th! These grants provide funding to operate transportation or promote mobility management to expand mobility for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income people. Transit authorities, municipalities, Councils on Aging, non-profit organizations, and private operators of public transit (shared-ride) services can apply for funding.
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