QUESTION
How are plans to improve older adult transportation in NYC being addressed?
1:55:50
·
171 sec
NYC Department for the Aging considers reallocating underutilized funds and seeks support for vehicle provision to enhance older adult transportation, especially in underserved areas.
- Commissioner Cortes-Vazquez acknowledges the need for improvement in older adult transportation, particularly in transportation deserts like Queens, Brooklyn, and parts of the Bronx.
- The Department is willing to consider reallocating underutilized funds for transportation services if more programs identify it as a need.
- Funding and provision of vehicles identified as a crucial aspect of enhancing transport services for older adults.
- The existing transportation model aims to offer more than just local (portal to portal) trips, with some community organizations recognizing transportation as a critical issue.
- An exact figure for additional funding required to meet service demand was not provided, but the dialogue is ongoing with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to address the growing need.
Crystal Hudson
1:55:50
Are you do you have any plans to improve older adult transportation?
1:55:56
Especially in communities where transportation options are limited.
1:56:01
I think
Lorraine Cortes-Vasquez
1:56:03
I don't want to answer that with an overarching Okay.
Crystal Hudson
1:56:07
Because you had mentioned before that only 108
Lorraine Cortes-Vasquez
1:56:10
a 108 out of the 300.
1:56:12
If more programs identify that as an issue area that they would like to do services.
1:56:20
And as we're doing this revisioning and reprogramming of underutilized dollars is something that we would consider.
Barbara Bear
1:56:29
Okay.
Lorraine Cortes-Vasquez
1:56:29
The issue with transportation is that there's a capital component to that, and we would look to you to help support local communities with the vehicles.
1:56:40
The transportation service the key part there is is the vehicles.
Crystal Hudson
1:56:44
And under the current terms, what sort of trips are exempt from the transportation contracts?
Lorraine Cortes-Vasquez
1:56:49
I think I answered that there the the transportation model that was employed was to make sure that you were able to have transportation to other than portal to portal.
1:57:04
Right?
1:57:04
The portal to portal, meaning the local transportation needs would be handled by a local OAC who's identified transportation as a critical issue for their community.
Crystal Hudson
1:57:14
And do you know how many older adults utilize the services daily, 248, we said.
Lorraine Cortes-Vasquez
1:57:20
249.
1:57:21
249.
1:57:22
249.
1:57:23
Okay.
Crystal Hudson
1:57:25
And do you think that demand exceeds the level of services available?
1:57:30
Absolutely.
1:57:31
Yeah.
1:57:31
Particularly in transportation, deserts, like Queens in Brooklyn and parts of the Bronx.
1:57:36
How much additional funding do you think would be needed to meet the demand?
Lorraine Cortes-Vasquez
1:57:42
We can get back to you on that.
1:57:45
Okay.
1:57:47
I just want to say that it is And you've heard me say this before, but it is an honest statement that it is a constant and very productive partnership with OMB.
1:58:00
Looking at new needs and things of that nature.
Crystal Hudson
1:58:02
I'm glad to hear that.
1:58:03
I mean, every time I speak with the OMB, I impress upon them the need to ensure that they're funding NYC aging, especially given the population increase.
1:58:13
I think, you know, anybody who's looking at those numbers you know, Roy would wanna be certain that an agency like yours is is fully funded, restored, and even expanded to actually match growing population.
1:58:27
So I trust that it is fruitful.
Lorraine Cortes-Vasquez
1:58:30
Right.
1:58:31
And I and I and I believe it is because the negotiations and the conversations are very productive and really in the spirit of recognizing that the need exists.
Crystal Hudson
1:58:41
Mhmm.