Written by Brooke Green, with Monique Johns, Idaho State Independent Living Council
Connecting people through transit options gets at the heart of CTAI’s mission. We’re always looking at innovative ways to connect agencies to help get people from one place to another. This is why I’m writing about the new Franklin/Smeed Route #55 in Caldwell. It’s an 8-mile loop recently added to Valley Regional Transit’s lineup of transit options.
So why am I writing about a new bus route? To look at what makes this route special one must look at the funding behind the route. You see, the first six months of this route will be funded by a federal grant from the Idaho State Independent Living Council (SILC). Yes, you heard me right. The SILC, whose mission is to promote the independent living philosophy for all Idahoans with Disabilities, has invested their valuable grant money into this project…and they’re hoping to reap a major reward: increased awareness of the Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities program.
Okay, okay. Seem confusing? Well let me explain the history:
About five years ago, the SILC was spearheading the effort to stop abuse and domestic violence against people with disabilities. In doing so, they heard horrific stories from individuals, who were overcoming domestic violence in their lives, who described having to walk across I-84, sometimes with young children in hand, to access health and human service agencies on the other side of the freeway. It became evident that something must be done to help these individuals, and all people, to connect with the valuable services that the Departments of Health and Welfare, and Labor provide.
Since then, multiple stakeholders have been brought to the table to help address this issue through surveys, focus groups, and feasibility studies. Last year the SILC had the opportunity to apply for new grant funds through a project called the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant. They included this valuable project in their proposal, which they said, “would help unemployed citizens, including those with disabilities, access service agencies through public transportation.”
And then the SILC received the grant. Valley Regional Transit (VRT) signed on to host the service. And now both agencies are working together to help form a sustainability committee to identify how the route will continue beyond the grant funding. VRT has committed about 65% of federal funds (as long as their available) toward this route. That leaves about $65,000 left to raise each year.
So what does Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities (the award that SILC hopes to reap) have to do with any of this?
The SILC hopes that individuals with disabilities, who currently cannot access the Department of Labor or the Department of Health and Welfare, will receive the services they need to return to work. And, if they qualify, sign up for the Medicaid for Workers with Disabilities program, an insurance program for folks with disabilities. This insurance program, administered by Medicaid, collects premiums (good for Idaho!) and helps workers with disabilities to continue to receive the benefits they need to work (medicine, attendant care, etc.).
From an 8-mile route to a program which has the potential to give people the freedom to work, from a domestic violence victim, to a person of independence and confidence. This type of collaboration is what it will take to make sustainability throughout our community a realization.
Congratulations to the Idaho State Independent Living Council, Valley Regional Transit, and the people who will benefit the most from this type of service. 17 agencies and multitude of stakeholders participated in making this route a reality, adding to the statewide network of available transportation, an addition that will allow individuals to access vital services within the area.
Here is the list of stakeholders and agencies who worked to make this route a reality:
- Idaho State Independent Living Executive Director Robbi Barrutia,
- Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Project Director Monique Johns,
- AmeriCorps Project Director Janette Rickman,
- Previous AmeriCorps member Christina Pettis,
- Idaho Senator John McGee,
- Valley Regional Transit Authority Executive Director Kelli Fairless,
- Staff Bill Jordan, U.S. Congressman Walt Minnick assistant Dean Ferguson, Caldwell-Canyon County Economic
- Development Council member Steve Fultz,
- Disabled American Veteran representatives Terry Harrell and Dave Howerton, Department of Health and Welfare’s
- Caldwell Office Director Ross Mason,
- LINC Center for Independent Living staff member Heidi Caldwell, Jeanne Rose, and Brenda Miller,
- Caldwell City Mayor Nancolas and assistant Brian Billingsley,
- Department of Labor’s Caldwell Office Manager Carmela Ramirez,
- Department of Labor management: Joe Goitiandia, Bob Uhlenkott, Katherine Takasugi, Robert Vetter,
- Community Planning Association of Southwestern Idaho member Walt Satterfield,
- Vocational Rehabilitation staff member Dan Schara,
- Boise State University student Kenneth Widick, and
- community members with disabilities -- Nick Schooler, William Bramhill, Tina Hernandez and Katy Wyatt.
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