The Federal Transit Administration recently announced good news for transit agencies that want to improve access to medical care for their community members in need.
The FTA will be distributing $6.3 Million to transit agencies that successfully apply to receive Access and Mobility Partnership Grants. The purpose of the grant is to help improve options for seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals with limited transportation choices.
“The FTA is encouraging partnerships between public transportation agencies and the healthcare industry to support those who are transit-dependent.”
— FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams
Any state, agency, tribe or other public or private organization that receives FTA funding is eligible to apply for the grant. If this applies to you, read on to learn more!
Transit and NEMT Come Together
Though the majority of non-emergency medical transportation services are managed by the state, Managed Care Organizations, or private brokers and providers, many public agencies also provide medical trips for their riders. In many cases, it simply makes sense to do. Though funding, billing, and eligibility requirements differ between paratransit and NEMT, there is also a lot of common ground. Agencies often provide demand-response transportation to people with special needs through ADA paratransit programs. For agencies that are interested in improving access to medical care, this grant could help you expand your NEMT services. To manage scheduling and billing processes for both paratransit and NEMT, a single database for NEMT and paratransit operations can help.
What Activities are Eligible?
Now that your interest is piqued, let’s see if any projects you’re considering might be eligible for the grant.
There are two different programs that applicants may apply to.
Projects eligible under the Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Pilot Program will support:
- The deployment of coordination technology
- Projects that create or increase access to community one-call/one-click centers
- Certain other innovative projects
Projects eligible under the Human Services Coordination Research Program will support innovations that achieve one or more of the following:
- Increase systems coordination of transportation services
- Use mobility management and improvements and/or travel management systems
- Provide more effective and efficient public transportation service, including services to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and low-income individuals
- Implement data and communication system advancements
To learn more about eligible projects and exclusions, read the Federal Register Notice.
Would my Agency Need to Contribute Funds to a Grant Project?
Yes, there are different contribution requirements depending which program you are applying for the grant under. To learn about your organization’s minimum commitment, read the Federal Register Notice.
What’s the Deadline to Apply?
The application deadline is November 13, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. All project proposals must be submitted electronically through GRANTS.GOV.
Where can I get More Information?
For more information, read the FTA news post and the Federal Register grant notice.
