Region 9: 2024 Meeting Minutes (3/14)

 

HSTP Region 9

March 15, 2024

Quarterly Meeting Minutes

 

Attendees:

Riley Anderson	Human Service Transportation Coordinator – Salem
Mike “Spud” Egbert	Opportunity for Access Center for Independent Living–Mt. Vernon
Gerald McDonald	Tri-Country Rural Public Transit – Jerseyville
Jennifer Noel	Bond County Transit – Greenville
Wendy Settles	IMPACT Center for Independent Living– Alton
Joe Domer	Agency for Community Transit/Madison Co. Transit – Granite City
Nathan Nichols	CEFS/Central Illinois Public Transit – Shelbyville
Andrea Boda	Illinois Valley Rehab Center – Gillespie
Katlyn Meyer	Jewel Ride – Edwardsville
Felicia Voelkel	Glen Carbon Senior Center – Glen Carbon
Michelle Shrout	Senior Services Plus – Alton
Kaye Snyden	Senior Services Plus – Alton
Sherry Hicks	Fayco – Vandalia
Sara Nollman-Hodge	South Central Transit – Centralia
Tapiwa Mupereki	Jewel Ride – Edwardsville
Melissa Theiss	East West Gateway – St. Louis

 

Call to Order – The Region 9 quarterly HSTP meeting was called to order at 11:08 a.m. by Chairperson Nathan Nichols.

Introductions – All those in attendance introduced themselves and announced their agency as well as their favorite cartoon.

Approval of December 2023 meeting minutes – It was noted that there are some typos in the minutes. Riley will make necessary corrections to minutes and they will be approved at the next meeting.

Regional Plan – As a refresher, Riley went over the Regional Plan to discuss how the agencies are addressing the gaps and needs. There were no updates at the last meeting. Madison Co. Transit shared that they have been sending a hiring bus out to places like movie theaters to reach people. They share applications with people and talk about MCT. It has been successful for them. They did experience a service cut in December 2023.

CIPT/CEFS is having a job fair in Vandalia and Effingham to attract drivers. Nathan shared that they like to share their strengths as an agency to potential employees; i.e. paid leave, major holidays off, positive work environment, etc. Jerry McDonald asked about starting wage at the agencies. There was a discussion about starting wages for drivers. Bond County travels to Glen Carbon and Edwardsville once a month for medical appointments. Glen Carbon does refer riders to other agencies if they cannot make a medical trip happen.

There was a discussion regarding rider satisfaction with non-emergency medical transportation. It is difficult for multiple agencies to connect and provide medical trips over long distances.

Guest Speaker – Melissa Theiss from East-West Gateway was our guest speaker. She went over East-West Gateway’s Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan. She mentioned that there are Freedom Funds for operational costs in urbanized areas.

Transportation Concerns – Mike Egbert shared that they currently have funding to help persons with mobility issues get ramps or home modifications. If you have any riders who might be needing assistance, this is a resource that is available while funds available. Bond County brought up an issue they are experiencing. Asking for help with how to assist riders who need assistance but are necessarily open to assistance. Some resources that were shared that may be of assistance; Adult Protective Services, Continuum Care, AgeSmart, local Lions Club, Rotary Club might be able to assist. Mike Egbert shared that you can refer riders with disabilities to CIL’s. CIL’s know resources and can help. Land of Lincoln legal may even be able to assist with riders that need assistance caring for themselves.

General Discussion –

IDOT Updates – Riley shared that there will be no 2024 application for CVP vehicles. Also, congratulations to the agencies that were awarded CVP vehicles.

Handouts – Riley went over the handouts. She mentioned the Paid Leave for All act in the handouts. There was discussion on how that will affect the agencies and their policies that they have in place. There is a concern that this will negatively affect transportation.

Tapiwa Mupereki from Jewel Ride asked a few questions about the plan Melissa Theiss discussed. He also shared with the group that Jewel Ride specializes in non-emergency medical transportation. He wants everyone to know that he is an option too for medical rides. Jewel Ride is looking to partner with agencies to provide transportation.

The next meeting will be June 13^th at Bond County Senior Center in Greenville.

Adjourn – Wendy Settles motioned to adjourn with Jerry McDonald seconding the motion. The meeting adjourned at 11:53 a.m.