Mrha will increase the efforts of the healthtran mobility management technical assistance center to enhance communication support mobility management strategies and enhance education and reporting…

The Missouri Rural Health Association (MRHA) was awarded a $906,734 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration under the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (CFDA 20.513) program. This funding will enable MRHA to expand its HealthTran mobility management technical assistance center to enhance communication, support mobility management strategies, and improve education and reporting capabilities in rural Missouri. Key activities include:

• Increasing technical assistance for rural mobility managers and expanding collaboration between healthcare and transportation providers to facilitate discussions, share information, and link resources.
• Expanding the HealthTran volunteer driver program to improve transportation access to healthcare services in rural communities.
• Providing transportation coordination, technical assistance, and training to three rural Missouri communities to enhance access to health and wellbeing services.
• Developing a mobility management certification program and an online mobility management technical assistance resource.

The award period runs from March 2024 through April 2026, and the project is intended to benefit disadvantaged populations in rural Missouri, including seniors, individuals with disabilities, low-income residents, and the uninsured.

Activities

Increase technical assistance for rural mobility managers and others working towards improving access for all through a centralized location housing education information and resources for mobility management and coordination. Increase collaboration between health and transportation providers and the communities they serve by expanding healthtran volunteer transportation services facilitating discussions sharing information and linking resources; and improve sustainability for rural healthcare and transportation providers by increasing awareness of transit services reducing cancellations and improving adherence for those with access barriers. Increase mobility management training opportunities through collaboration and partnerships.

Expected outcomes

Expand transportation services through the healthtran volunteer driver program. Provide rural transportation coordination/technical assistance/training to three rural communities to enhance transportation access to health and wellbeing services.increase mobility management training. Develop a (1) MM certification program that is recognized or integrated at a state or national level.establish an (1) on-line mobility management technical assistance resource

Intended beneficiaries

Mrha healthtran focuses on the following disadvantaged communities: rural communities without or limited public transiteconomically distressed communities with high poverty (primarily rural)low income senior citizens and individuals covered by medicaiduninsured individualsindividuals without private vehicles

Subrecipient activities

There are no subrecipients for these funds.