Region 11: 2023 Meeting Minutes (11/15)

 

HSTP Region 11

Meeting Minutes

November 15^th, 2023

 

Attendees:

Randy Goldsmith	Human Support Services-Waterloo
Kari Docherty	Spero Family Services – Mt. Vernon
Elizabeth Daniels	Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois – Belleville
Jon Douglas	LINC, Inc. Center for Independent Living - Swansea
Michael Whittaker	TCI/JTC Academy – Centerville
Jill Ohnesorge	IDOT – Office of Intermodal Project Implementation-Springfield
Ian Pierce	Five Star Industries-DuQuoin
Barbara Snider	Caritas Family Solutions - Belleville
Barb Johansson	Caritas Family Solutions - Belleville
Mike Egbert	Opportunities for Access Center for Independent Living-Mt. Vernon
Ron Gorst	Shawnee Mass Transit – Vienna
Mark Beare	Monroe-Randolph Transit – Sparta
Jesica Gentry-Schlimme	Monroe-Randolph Transit – Sparta
Rachel Newsome	Illinois Center for Autism – Fairview Heights
Kristy Case	Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois – Belleville
Debbie Holsapple	Comprehensive Connections – Mt. Vernon
Riley Anderson	Assistant Human Service Transportation Coordinator – Salem
Terri Finn	Human Service Transportation Coordinator – Salem

 

Call to order:  The quarterly HSTP meeting was called to order at 11:04 a.m. by Terri Finn.

Introductions: All attendees introduced themselves and their agencies.

Approval of August 2023 Meeting Minutes: Minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed. No additions or corrections. Motion to approve by Mike Egbert, seconded by Jon Douglas. Motion approved.

Guest Speaker: Elizabeth Daniels from Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois was the guest speaker. She shared information about what her organization does. EFGSI operates CILA homes and will be opening another CILA home soon. The Epilepsy Foundation works with people with epilepsy, providing assistance with everyday tasks. They operate an emergency medication program to help with obtaining medication when it isn’t readily available. They also provide a Seizure First Aid class, which teaches caregivers and community members how to help save a life and know how to react when someone has a seizure. This class could be beneficial to HSTP committee agencies and their drivers. The Epilepsy Foundation covers thirty-seven Southern States. One in twenty-six people will have a seizure in their lifetime.

Regional Plan: Terri Finn shared updates to the regional plan based on the last meeting’s discussion. Jesica Schlimme from MRTD gave an update on St. Clair County routes that are now in effect as of October 2^nd. The routes are in place for medical appointments to & from Chester, Steelville, and Waterloo into St. Clair County then return trips. MRTD also has a new website, www.gomrtd.com.

SCCTD is hosting Mental Health First Aid on February 20th.

CEU class at Spero professional development. QR code to sign up for the half-priced training ($100).

Transportation Concerns: Shawnee MTD is experiencing a high rate of unhoused riders getting on the bus for warmth. Much discussion on resources to help those riders, including contacting the Regional Office of Education, as they have McKinney Vento funding to help address the concerns.  Other warming stations and shelters outside the area were discussed.

General Discussion:  IDOT Updates – Jill Ohnesorge had no CVP updates. Jill shared that IDOT has two project manager positions available out of the Springfield Office – which is a remote position that requires office attendance a few days a month. IDOT is wrapping up CVP applications, so keep an eye out for requests to make changes. IDOT is working towards having vehicle contracts by the end of November, with completion of build by the end of next year.

Terri Finn informed everyone that the 2024 Long Range Plan Survey is available at www.moveillinois2024.com and halfway down the page is the survey link. She has asked that people take the time to fill it out as it seems that it will yield useful information that will benefit them when the survey has been completed. Terri shared that she, Riley Anderson & Ron Gorst, as well as several others from throughout the state, have been asked to serve on a Technical Advisory Committee that IDOT has contracted the University of Il. -Chicago to do a medical trip study on non-emergency medical rides. Terri will keep the group updated.

Handouts/Resource materials – Riley Anderson went over several handouts. 

2024 Meetings –

            February 21^st – Zoom Call

            May 15^th – Shawnee MTD in Anna

            August 21^st – Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois in Belleville

            November 20^th –Comprehensive Connections – Mt. Vernon (contingent on new Senior Center)

Adjourn: Kari Docherty motioned to adjourn at 11:51 a.m. and Rachel Newsome seconded the motion.