Vermont Receives Federal Grant to Create Online System for Aiding Veterans with Transit Needs
Posted by erik devaneyGovernor Peter Shumlin announced on Wednesday that the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) has received a $352,900 grant from the Federal Transit Administration. The grant will be used to develop software and Internet services for helping U.S. veterans and their families access public transportation services that are specific to their needs.
“This grant will make life a little easier for our soldiers and their families by improving access to transportation services that they need to travel to work, health care appointments and other places,” Governor Shumlin stated.
The grant money will be used for several purposes, including the development of a website that provides veterans information about their eligibility for a host of transit services.
More specifically, the new website will allow the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to educate vets about their eligibility for rides, make requests electronically and direct them to other resources when they do not qualify for DAV rides.
The website will also provide links for connecting viewers to appropriate services and will allow DAV to coordinate rides on a statewide basis using updated technology.
In addition to being put towards the development of the website, the grant will help fund the development of specialized software. This software will allow the DAV’s and the Veterans Administration’s independent transportation systems to be incorporated into the same dispatch system used by all of Vermont’s public transit providers.
Grant funds will also be used to install GPS tracking devices in public transit vehicles and DAV vans so that dispatchers can monitor bus and van locations. Such GPS monitoring will allow for more efficient dispatch decisions.
“This is great news for veterans in Vermont, who often cite finding a ride to and from their medical visits as a major barrier in getting the care they need in the VA health care system,” said Vermont’s congressional delegation – Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders, and Congressman Peter Welch – in a joint statement.
The delegation continued, “With this investment, veterans throughout Vermont will be able to go online to learn about transportation options and to request rides. For many it will save long commutes, overnight stays, or headaches worrying about how they will get the medical health they need and deserve.”
“These funds enable us to create a technology-based infrastructure that will allow not only us but all Vermont-based transit providers to better link veterans and their families up with transit services,” said VTrans Secretary Brian Searles. “The goal is to make it easier for them to access the many services that they need.”
Related posts:
- Boston-Based Software Company’s Telehealth Technology Will Help Make Care More Available to Veterans
- Texting for Health: New $25K Grant will Help Boston-Area Students Get Healthy Through the use of Mobile Technology
- Lawmakers to Hear from Community Hospital Officials This Week on Impact of Closing Vermont State Hospital
- Governor Patrick Announces New Plan for Helping MA Veterans Find Employment
- NH Congressman Hosting Job Fair for Veterans and Their Families as Part of Jobs Initiative
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Posted by erik devaney
on Nov 10 2011. Filed under Featured - For home page featured article, Technology.
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