Completing a Rural Transportation Funding Puzzle

In 2011, Getthere, Rural Health Network’s mobility and transportation program, began initial operations by establishing an information and assistance Call Center for those in need of transportation in Broome & Tioga Counties. Within the next few years, we expanded operations to include Chenango, Delaware, and Otsego counties. During the first two years of operating the Call Center, staff became increasingly frustrated by their inability to assist those who needed transportation to healthcare appointments. The problem was that the majority of those in need were older, on fixed incomes, and often could not afford the cost of the transportation service that was available to them. Staff worked hard to find the most affordable transportation options, including public transportation where available, referrals to volunteer transportation programs and transport by family and friends. However, there were many in need of assistance where the only option was a private transportation provider (e.g., taxi cab), or they had a friend or family member who was willing to drive but could not afford gas for the trip.

Recognizing that funding was necessary if Getthere was going to be able to help many of those with transportation to healthcare needs, the Connection to Care Program was started in 2013 and supported initially by a grant from Ascension Health. Since that time, Connection to Care has received funding from many sources including foundations, local government, United Way, civic organizations, the faith community and individual donations. Additionally, everyone served by Connection to Care is asked if they are in a position to assist with some of the cost of their transportation, and if so, they may also contribute. This mix of funding has helped make transportation to healthcare possible for thousands of residents across Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego and Tioga Counties over the past 10 years.

This month's newsletter focuses on Getthere services. Our call center is staffed Monday - Friday from 7 AM - 5:30 PM by Mobility & Transportation Advocates who work with each caller to find solutions to their transportation needs.

Getthere is primarily funded by the Federal Transit Administration and the NYS Department of Transportation. While this funding is essential to program operations, it cannot be used to provide transportation to individuals and we are responsible for matching a portion of the funding. The private and local funding that supports Connection to Care can be used to meet the matching fund requirements for the Federal and State Transportation grants. So Connection to Care support completes two funding needs: funding essential transportation to health-related services for those in need, and matching funds for the governmental grants that support Getthere.

I invite you to continue reading about Getthere services and how you can help provide a piece of the funding puzzle that supports residents of a five-county region.

-Jack Salo

Interim Executive Director

Connection to Care Assists Chenango County Resident

Jeremy called Getthere to inquire about fuel card assistance that he had heard about through a friend. Jeremy was recently diagnosed with leukemia, days before his fortieth birthday. He and his family live in rural Chenango County and have been traveling to Upstate Cancer Center in Syracuse a few times a week for treatment of his leukemia. Additionally, Jeremy is traveling every few weeks to the Wilmot Cancer Institute in Rochester and is going to receive a stem cell transplant in March. 

Fuel costs add up fast for daily driving. When you have daily drives, children to get to and from school as well as activities, and then add on medical trips, fuel becomes expensive. Jeremy was able to pay the cost of these medical trips for the first few months but said, "It's a relief to have help from Getthere to get to these appointments, Thank You!”  

Fuel card or other transportation assistance is available through Getthere’s Connection to Care program which is designed to help individuals get to medical appointments and other health services. In Chenango County and beyond, it has helped thousands of people like Jeremy. To find out more about Getthere or Connection to Care, please call 1-855-373-4040. We're always glad to help.

What some of our previous Connection to Care clients have said...

Transportation to Employment - Helping Maintain Employment

Stan Varghese, Transportation to Employment Coordinator, received a referral from an oncology social worker working at a local hospital system regarding a person who was no longer able to drive due to their medical condition and needed assistance to get to and from work.

Stan talked with the client during the intake process to learn more about them and their situation. He then worked with them to develop a plan for short-term financial assistance, as well as a sustainable transportation strategy that would work into the future. Getthere was able to provide two months of bus passes to ensure they could get to work. The client was then able to afford their own passes and reached 90 days of employment, a key metric for our program. More importantly, our Transportation to Employment program was able to assist someone going through a health challenge and help them maintain employment. 

During the last two years, 311 individuals were enrolled in the Transportation to Employment program and offered short-term transportation assistance. 166 individuals were able to secure long-term employment, measured as 90-days or more.

Partnering with a Food Pantry to Deliver an Emergency Food Box

We introduced Lani Kosick Ames in a previous issue of Rural Matters. Lani is an AmeriCorps VISTA member serving with Food & Health Network who is also interning with Getthere. Lani is pursuing her Doctorate in organizational leadership with Adler University. Her Getthere internship supports equity in healthcare transportation and mobility management while helping fulfill a social justice practicum.

Getthere focuses on removing barriers to healthcare and health-related resources which often involves providing ways for people to get places. On occasion, we also partner with other organizations to help get resources to people who are homebound or without access to transportation. On a cold and rainy day late last fall, a food pantry asked if we could assist with an emergency food delivery. Lani drove the Getthere van to a rural Broome County community to deliver a variety of food products to a family with several children. In additional to shelf-stable items, the food pantry provided a flat of cupcakes, which the younger children were excited about as they were helping bring the food inside from the porch. One of the older children looked in the last box with produce in it, and ecstatically exclaimed, "They brought peaches!"

Lani said, "Knowing that we can provide something as seemingly simple as peaches to feed and bring joy to families is a quintessential example of how impactful Getthere is to the community and individuals within it." 

Additional Getthere Services

Volunteer Driver Program - We currently partner with the Volunteer Transportation Center based in Watertown to recruit and train volunteer drivers in our region who then provide cost-effective transportation to those who need rides to healthcare appointments. Contact us to learn more or apply to become a driver. Drivers are reimbursed for mileage.

Travel Training - We specialize in helping older adults and people with disabilities navigate urban and rural transportation resources safely and independently.

Trip Planner -This is a key feature of the Getthere website. You can search for nearby transportation providers with the best possible route.

Contact the Getthere Call Center at 1-855-373-4040 for more information about any of our services.

You Can Help Complete our Financial Puzzle

Currently, we have an urgent financial need to support Connection to Care services for the residents of Chenango, Delaware and Otsego Counties. Whether you are a caring individual, or represent a civic organization, faith community, foundation or local government, we ask you to consider the many ways your financial support of Connection to Care can help our rural seniors maintain their health and well-being and remain living independently in their homes and communities. 82% of all Connection to Care trips in 2023 were on behalf of seniors.

For rural seniors to “age in place” in their homes and communities, they often need both financial and logistical assistance in getting to their healthcare appointments and other essential services. In order for Connection to Care to assist them, sustained funding is needed at the local level to cover transportation costs. The return on an investment in Connection to Care is significant: Seniors are able to maintain their health by accessing the health services they need. They are able to remain independent longer. No longer being able to drive or afford a car does not necessarily mean they will never need to leave their home. The social interactions associated with even local travel to healthcare appointments and other services contributes to their emotional and mental health. Connection to Care is an essential and affordable way to ensure the mobility and independence of our older family members, friends and neighbors.

To make a one-time or recurring donation to Connection to Care, click on the image below or the following Support Getthere button. If you would like more information about Connection to Care, contact Nick Cecconi, Getthere Director, by email or call 607-692-7669 Ext. 221

Staying Connected

If you would like to keep informed about Getthere projects, visit the Getthere website, subscribe to The Milepost, a quarterly newsletter, or follow the Getthere Facebook page.

Friday Taxi for Seniors with Transportation Needs

For the past four years, Northern Broome CARES, in conjunction with Getthere and Mike's Taxi, has provided free taxi services to community members age 60+ in Whitney Point and the surrounding towns. Every Friday, clients can take the taxi from their home to anywhere within the Northern Broome CARES service area. In 2023, approximately 230 free trips were provided. The taxi takes clients to essential medical appointments at Guthrie Whitney Point and the Physical Therapy Office, provides a way to complete errands to Greggs Big M, NBT Bank, or the Post Office, and allows clients to enjoy delicious local food from Dominic's Pizza, the Scoop Ice Cream store, or other local establishments. Use of the taxi by clients gives them a sense of independence that they may not have otherwise. Northern Broome CARES staff would like to thank Getthere and Mike's Taxi for continuing to support this amazing service.

Public Health AmeriCorps Positions Available

Our partners at VINES have three Public Health AmeriCorps positions available. These are great opportunities for anyone who is passionate about food equity and/or considering a career in public health. The Urban Farm Assistant will help with day-to-day farm tasks and help to increase the growing area under production at the Binghamton Urban Farm. The Community Garden Assistant will assist with the development, maintenance, and expansion of community garden operations. The Farm Share Program Assistant position focuses on assisting with the implementation of the Farm Share Program. This includes coordinating drop-off and pick-up times for shares from local farmers, distribution of shares to residents, and coordination of nutrition and cooking demonstrations at distribution sites.

For more information about these positions or other AmeriCorps positions available with Rural Health Service Corps, please visit our website or email Haley Desilet or Alexis Sankofa.

News, Articles of Interest, and Resources

Partnering for a Community Health Needs Assessment

We are continuing to partner with Lourdes (now Guthrie) on a Community Health Needs Assessment. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and responses are confidential. We are especially interested in responses from those living in rural Tioga or Delaware counties.

Getthere Acknowledged in the NY State Strategic Highway Safety Plan

The New York State Department of Transportation has published their Strategic Highway Safety Plan for 2023-2027. Getthere and other transportation programs across the state had an opportunity to contribute. Learn More. Rural Health Network is cited in the acknowledgements and a brief synopsis of Getthere's comments are in Appendix 2.

Broome County Housing Needs Assessment Community Presentation

Broome County Department of Planning & Economic Development has scheduled a Housing Needs Assessment Community Presentation on Tuesday, February 27 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM in the Broome County Public Library Decker Room located at 185 Court Street, Binghamton, New York, 13901. The meeting will include a presentation of the Broome County Housing Needs Assessment. Project consultants, Camoin Associates, will provide an overview of the findings from the needs analysis and recommendations of the report. Members of the community are encouraged to attend. Learn More.

Sepsis and Aging - Creating a National Alliance

New York State Office for the Aging, the Association on Aging, Sepsis Alliance, and partners like the Home Care Association of NYS, are working hard to get the word out on the signs and symptoms of sepsis to the community of older adults and to the healthcare professionals who serve them. Join on Wednesday, March 20 at 1 PM Eastern time to learn more about the resources available in your state AND to be a part of an effort to address the sepsis crisis in older adults nationwide!

VINES Cultivation Calendar Returns

Get weekly, seasonally relevant gardening tips from the Cultivation Calendar. Choose to receive texts or emails. Peruse past topics and sign up for the weekly service.

NYHealth Webinar - Coordinating Advocacy: Universal Healthy School Meals and Farm to School Efforts

Please join NYHealth for an event with American Farmland Trust, Hunger Solutions New York, and National Farm to School Network to learn how advocates for healthy school meals and farm to school can work together to help ensure that school meals are not only accessible but also healthy and locally sourced. With New York State serving as a case study, speakers will discuss the potential for coordinated advocacy, existing challenges, and best practices for advocates in other states to consider. The webinar will be held Tuesday, February 27, 12 - 1 PM. Register here.