FUNDING FOR HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION

 Why this budget item is requested:

Transportation is a problem for many elderly, disabled or disadvantaged Georgians, who rely heavily on under-funded public transportation systems. Lack of human services transportation funding means that many Georgians face challenges accessing basic and necessary services.

The Department of Human Resources (DHR) operates a Coordinated Transportation System using federal funds and other DHR programs’ funds to serve its clients’ transportation needs. Such funding limits services to trips to and from program service centers with only a small portion of funds available for other trips (medical and other health appointments, such as dialysis, shopping, religious services, etc). Two other state departments administer programs for human services transportation: Community Health (non-emergency medical transportation), and Labor (job training). The human services transportation programs also purchase trips for their clients on public transportation, where available.

Despite the mounting pressures on local governments and human service transportation providers, increases in funding from DHR programs to meet these transportation needs have been minimal. These pressures include acutely higher gasoline prices accompanied by rising demand due to a dramatically escalating aging population and an emphasis on community based services for all DHR clients. In focus groups and public hearings conducted by DHR across Georgia, transportation was the top service requested. A needs assessment conducted in FY ‘06 showed that DHR served 49.43% of the consumers needing services and met 39.46% of the total trip needs.

What Other State Do:

Thirty-nine states include line item funding specifically for human services transportation. Georgia does not have such a specific line item. Rather, funds are appropriated for specific programs (e.g., the non-Medicaid Home and Community Based Services Program) that may include some human services transportation. Additionally, some states like North Carolina and Maryland fund programs to assist local areas by operating specialized services for the elderly and
disabled when needed trips are not covered by existing transportation programs that have eligibility or trip purpose restrictions.

What This Budget Item Would Do:

• An appropriation of $4.5 million to DHR would increase human services transportation for seniors, persons with disabilities, and others, providing better access to congregate meals, medical, mental health and other treatments, and additional community-based services. The funds could be used to purchase additional client trips from public systems in rural areas and/or purchase
trips and transit passes in urban and suburban areas.