SOUTHERN CONNECTIONS NEWSLETTER

Spring Celebrations!

April 2025 Edition

Connecting Resources

Within Your Community!

Special Thank to Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District for hosting the March 2025 meeting in Gulfport, Mississippi

Website Link below:

Home - SMPDD

Southern Connect is a diverse group of transportation advocates that meet bi-monthly to focus on transportation solutions for the people we serve in South Mississippi.

Through MDOT, Public Transit Division's leadership and Regional Mobility Management

partners are connected with Regional, State and National

Partners united in the efforts to enhance

Community Transportation Solutions!

The Southern Connect service area covers the 15 lower counties in South Mississippi which includes Jones, Wayne, Covington, Lamar, Forrest, Perry, Greene, George, Marion, Stone, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Harrison, Hancock and Pearl River.

See the MDOT Link: Connect MS to learn more! Connect MS | Public Transit in Mississippi

SWEET SUCCESS!

SOUTHERN CONNECT

REGIONAL GOALS BEING MET!

THE SOUTHERN CONNECT WEBSITE IS LIVE!

Many partners are featured on the website please remember all partners are welcomed to participate in this wonderful resourceful website designed to CONNECT.

Please feel free to email d.bailey@djtransitinc.com to be added to the page and/or with any agency contract revisions needed!

SUCCESSFUL REGIONAL GOALS

Southern Connect Website Link:

Click Now!

www.southern-connect.org

2025

OFF TO A GREAT START!

TOWN HALLS WERE HELD ACROSS THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI PRIOR TO MDOT GRANT APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS

See the WDAM Link below for the highlights from the DJ Transit, Inc Town Hall held January 7, 2025 at the Train Depot in Laurel, Mississippi.

DJ Transit holds town hall meeting, presents awards

Welcome

Dejuana Parker, MDOT

Public Transit Division

Southern Connect partners were honored to welcome one of the newest members of the MDOT, Public Transit Division at the March 25, 2025 meeting. Partners across the State of Mississippi look forward to working with Dejuana Parker, Program Specialist

MDOT, Public Transit Division.

HAPPY RETIREMENT

KEVIN COGGIN

Mr. Kevin Coggin, the esteemed Executive Director of the Coast Transit Authority, was recently honored by SMPDD and Southern Connect Regional and State partners, as he embarks on a well-deserved retirement.

Kevin began his career with Coast Transit Authority in 1989. Over the years, he has not only been a cornerstone of the Coast Transit Authority but has also become a respected figure nationally, inspiring countless transportation providers and partners across the state and nation with his visionary leadership. As we bid farewell to Kevin, we celebrate not just his professional achievements but also the indelible mark he has left on South Mississippi and beyond! Happy Trails, Kevin! May your new adventures be as fulfilling as the journey serving Coast Transit Authority and Southern Connect Regional Transportation Coordination Group.

Welcome Aboard Molly!

Southern Connect welcomes Molly Jo Shea, Coast Transit Authority’s new Marketing / Mobility Manager. Molly comes to us from the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, in Biloxi, where she served as Director of Marketing and PR. We definitely look forward to Molly bringing her remarkable skills to the CTA and Southern Connect team. - When you get a free moment, reach out to Molly and welcome her aboard! (mshea@coasttransit.com)

Congratulations!

City of Laurel's

Mrs. Lula Cooley

City of Laurel and Jones County joined in the Celebration on March 18, 2025, as Lula Cooley Day! Mayor Johnny Magee and City Council Representative, Grace Amos, presented Lula with this honor for her years of service and dedication to our community! Lula's tireless efforts and passion for uplifting those around her have left an indelible mark on the fabric of our town, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps and fostering a spirit of unity and progress. This day serves as a testament to the profound impact one individual can have on the lives of many, reminding everyone of the power of dedication and the importance of celebrating those who serve selflessly.

Southern Connect

Community Champion

Donna E. Bailey

The March 25, 2025, Southern Connect meeting was filled with heartwarming surprises! SMPPD honored the Southern Connect Regional Mobility Manger, Donna Bailey with the MDOT, Public Transit Division/ Southern Connect Community Champion Award!

SMPDD leadership, Madeline Walker and Thania Coyne both expressed great appreciation for Donna's talents of networking and connecting resources; along with her dedication of serving others. Donna was filled with gratitude by the honor and truly cherishes all of the partners who recognize and genuinely support her efforts.

The Community Champion Award, presented at each Southern Connect meeting, serves as a reminder of the profound impact we can make on one another's lives through encouragement and collaboration.

"Together We Enhance Lives".

Jeremy Bell, National RTAP's New Tribal Transit Liaison

Jeremy Bell served as the Director of Choctaw Regional Transportation/Choctaw Transit and has been with the company for over 13 years. From 2012-2025, Jeremy served as the Mobility Manager for the EZTAG region and for Choctaw Transit before being promoted to Assistant Director in 2015 to 2021. and finally, Director from 2021 to 2025. Jeremy is a Graduate of the Emerging Leaders Academy sponsored by the Community Transportation Association of America and served as a Former National RTAP Review Board Member from 2020 to 2025 before taking his new position in February 2025 as the Tribal Transit Liaison for National RTAP. Prior to joining Choctaw Transit, Jeremy worked for the Mississippi Department of Employment Security from 2007- 2012 as the Business Outreach Specialist and served as an Unemployment Officer for Neshoba, Leake, Kemper and Newton Counties. Jeremy holds an associate degree from East Central Community College and a bachelor’s degree from The University of Southern Mississippi but credits his knowledge in the Transit Field to his mentor and former Mississippi Public Transportation Association board member, Mr. Billy Robertson. Jeremy’s vision is to utilize his expertise and knowledge in the Transportation field to educate and train tribal and non-tribal transit agencies across the United States.

Enjoli Dixon is the new National RTAP Rural Transit Project Manager.

In this role Enjoli is responsible for providing technical assistance to rural, tribal and mobility management as well as eLearning product administration, outreach, training.

Enjoli Dixon is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the design and transportation industry, both in the U.S. and internationally. She is renowned for her advocacy in public transit and mobility management, making significant contributions across public, private, and non-profit sectors, particularly through the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM).

CALVIN M. GLOVER

ASSOCIATION OF MOBILITY MANAGER TREASURER/BOARD MEMBER

The Association of Mobility Managers is proud to announce and congratulate Mr. Calvin M. Glover as a board member and co-founder of the organization. Calvin currently serves as the Regional Mobility Manager for DARTS Transportation, a division of Aaron E. Henry Community Health Center, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring that individuals, particularly those in underserved communities, have access to reliable transportation services.

Calvin's service as a board member and Treasurer of the Association of Mobility Managers, advances his continued advocacy for innovative, flexible, and sustainable mobility solutions. The Association promotes effective and accessible transportation systems through collaboration, empathy, and informed decision-making. With a focus on economic resources such as public-private partnerships, mobility programs, and sustainable innovations, the Association is dedicated to enhancing transportation access while promoting equity and community growth. See complete details at the link below.

https://associationofmobilitymanagers.com/news/

See links below for wonderful CCAM educational resources!

Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) - National Center for Mobility Management

E-learning Catalog - National Center for Mobility Management

NATIONAL RURAL TRANSIT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FEATURES MISSISSIPPI PARTNERS!

Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services Center, Inc.

Fund Braiding Best Practices

This Best Practices Spotlight Article describes how a regional health center receives multiple federal grant funds for transportation services and incorporates fund braiding. This model from Mississippi may pave the way for others for federal fund braiding and the use of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) enabling services funding as the local match to their FTA Section 5311 grant.

See most the informational article below highlighting Mississippi State Partners!!! Thank you for your leadership, Aaron E. Henry Community Health Services,

https://www.nationalrtap.org/Resources/Best-Practices-Spotlight/fund-braiding

SOUTHERN CONNECT

TRANSIT TRAINING UPATES

Community Action of South Mississippi Senior Trip to Mobile, Al.

DRIVER TRAINING OFFERED BY COAST TRANSIT AUTHORITY!!!

CASOMS Community Action of South Mississippi is sending a huge thank you out to our partners at Coast Transit Authority for providing driver training at the CASOMS "agency tea" held on February 11, 2025.

Training included defensive driving, handling difficult passengers and hands on experience in wheelchair safety. We all had a great time and learned so from Jeremy!

Five County Driver Training

Five County Community Transportation was thrilled to have Dr. Charles Husband as a special guest at our quarterly driver's training session. As a Manager of Public Transit at MDOT, Dr. Husband brought a wealth of knowledge and insight to the table, enriching the experience for all attendees. His engaging presentation style not only informed but also inspired our team, fostering a lively atmosphere of learning and collaboration. We are grateful for Dr. Husband's contributions and look forward to future opportunities to learn from his expertise.

FEBRUARY

AMERICAN HEART MONTH

DJ TRANSIT, INC TRAINING!

Earnest Hollingsworth, American Heart Association Instructor and DJ Transit, Inc staff member, Lucy McInnis featured at the recent CPR/First Aid Training held February 17,2025 at DJ Transit, Inc.

DJ Transit Inc. is dedicated to continued trainings to include emergency lifesaving procedures.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Five County Community Transportation staff and the Jefferson Davis Senior Site

participants, would like to acknowledge and thank Mrs. Cynthia White, Jefferson Davis County Chancery Clerk, and the Rho Iota Zeta Chapter for their generous gift of quilting materials and candy bags shared for Valentine's Day with the seniors at our Senior Site in Prentiss,

Military Resource Summit 2025

The Mississippi National Guard Family Programs Summit held on March 13, 2025 was outstanding with current Southern Connect partners in attendance and many new ones interested in Southern Connect and MDOT's Regional Transportation Coordination Groups throughout the State of Mississippi. All State Mobility Manager's contact information, and Map was eagerly received by approx. 75 in attendance.

Important role of a Transportation Dispatcher

Five County Community Transportation

The Transportation Dispatcher is a vital part of the agency's team. Their dedication and skills will ensure efficient, reliable, and safe transportation services for our six-county area. Transportation Dispatchers they are directly responsible for establishing day-to-day transportation routes and schedules, ensuring smooth, timely, and effective communication with drivers. This role encompasses assigning vehicles, coordinating daily movements, and addressing driver inquiries to maintain efficient and effective transportation procedures. Success in this position requires excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills to manage the dynamic needs of drivers, passengers, and overall operations.