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Federal grant will help veterans seek employment

ITD and public transportation partners will share a federal grant of $543,658 to increase mobility options for veterans. The grant award, announced recently by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, is part of $34.6 million dedicated nationwide to improve employment opportunities and support for veterans.

Idaho’s grant application, submitted in September, represents a partnership that includes ITD’s Division of Transportation Performance, Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene, Kootenai County and the Kootenai county Board of Commissioners, Valley Regional Transit and Community Transportation Association of Idaho.

Funding will enable creation of the “Idaho Statewide One-Click Transportation Information for Veterans” program. ITD will implement a searchable resource directory and an automated provider information update system for Idaho. It will link to the transit component of the 511 Traveler Services system and mobile application.

That part of Idaho’s award represents a cost of $39,600.

The project also includes implementation of a one-call resource center that will incorporate volunteer drivers in a coordinated trip scheduling system. It also will establish an information and reservation system that allows providers to share trip request.

Implementation will cost approximately $284,000.

The third component of Idaho’s project, involves the purchase of software and hardware for the one-call resource center in Kootenai County. Technology improvements will enhance the efficiency of existing transportation services and allow providers to address the needs of veterans.

Hardware and software resources will cost $220,000.

ITD provides administers and coordinates public transportation grants for Idaho’s seven transit providers, social service agencies and non-profit agencies throughout the state. Valley Regional Transit is the regional transportation authority for Ada and Canyon counties, while CTAI is a non-profit organization that coordinates transportation options throughout the state.