|
The Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation (ACCT) is a partnership of members from the legislature, state agencies, transportation providers and consumer advocates whose mission is to direct and promote activities that efficiently use all available state and community resources for special needs transportation across the state. The legislature created ACCT in 1998 to facilitate coordination and eliminate cross-jurisdictional and government program barriers to transportation. The ACCT Council concentrates on three critical areas: Identify and Address Barriers, Focus on Results, and Increase Advocacy.
|
IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS BARRIERS
Proposed Changes to State Law on Stretcher Transportation
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) will consider requesting a change in the current state law that requires people on stretchers to be transported only by ambulance. The proposed change would allow the use of Specialized Commercial Vehicles for the transportation of people using stretchers who do not need medical care. Opponents of the change believe that this change will result in greater freedom for people who travel in a lying down position and more transportation resources being available for the general public. A similar bill was before the Legislature in 2002. The ACCT Council supports the proposed change.
INCREASE ADVOCACY
ACCT to Sponsor "Focus on Results" Forum
Council members Marilyn Mason-Plunkett, Mike Harbour and Rep. Miloscia expressed an interest in participating in a Council work group responsible for developing performance measures for coordination in Washington State. The Council members will sponsor a "Focus on Results" forum in 2004. Special needs transportation providers, social service and educational organizations, planning councils and other interested persons will have the opportunity to provide their perspectives on which performance measures should be adopted by the ACCT Council.
ACCT Invited to Submit Nomination for New National Award
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) have launched a joint effort to reduce federal program barriers to transportation. The two federal agencies have established the new "United We Ride: State Leadership Award on Human Service Transportation Coordination". This program recognizes states that have developed successful coordination strategies in the area of human service transportation.
In January, ACCT will submit an award application that will highlight how they have tackled the growing and complex web of needed transportation services while finding common sense solutions. To assist in the development of this application, ACCT will conduct a self-assessment developed by a panel of experts from around the country.
WSDOT Hires New ACCT Administrator
Robin Phillips has accepted the position of Administrator for Coordinated Transportation with the Department of Transportation. She will be working closely with the Council and the ACCT work plan. Robin is currently employed by the Oregon Department of Transportation. She has a degree in History from Reed College and a law degree from Willamette University. Robin will join the staff at WSDOT on January 5, 2004.
FOCUS ON RESULTS
ACCT and CTAA Team Up to Provide Training for Enhanced Coordination
ACCT and the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) are entering into an agreement to provide technical assistance for local coordination across the state. ACCT will provide funds to match a federal grant to CTAA for providing training to local communities to create transportation choices for people with special needs, innovative services, and community partnerships for efficient use of public resources. Priorities will be given to projects that have measurable results.
|