Fast Facts:
- The Michigan Association of United Ways recently awarded $1.5 million by USDOT.
- Transit grant to help create One-Call/One-Click Center from eight regional 2-1-1 call centers.
- The center will help 736,000 Michigan veterans and active duty military access information about public and private transportation options.
The Michigan Association of United Ways was recently awarded $1.5 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation to create a statewide One-Call/One-Click Center out of eight regional transportation 2-1-1 call centers. The new service will help veterans and other users tap the entire state’s resources and connect with locally available transportation and other vital community services. Information will be accessible 24/7 by calling 2-1-1 or clicking on a Web site.
“Any state that provides its veterans and their families with easier access to both needed and earned benefits says something about the value the people and its leadership place on those who have served our country,” said Rob Price, administrator, Veteran Services, Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “For Michigan, that testimony is embedded in a ‘One-Call/One-Click’ philosophy.”
“I look forward to working jointly with United Way and public transit systems to coordinate and implement transportation options for veterans throughout Michigan, utilizing the 2-1-1 network and local public transit agencies. Public transportation, in one form or another, exists in every county in Michigan and we’re excited to broaden our delivery of services to our veterans,” said Clark Harder, executive director, Michigan Public Transit Association.
The One-Call/One-Click Center will help 736,000 Michigan veterans and active duty military easily access information about public and private transportation options. In 2011,
2-1-1 served more than 480,000 callers, including veterans and military families. Of those calls, nearly 10,000 were for transportation services.
“During the One-Call/One-Click program development period, veterans and their families can continue to use 2-1-1 for services available in their region,” said David Eich, 2-1-1 executive director, Michigan Association of United Ways.
2-1-1 has been in existence for ten years in Michigan. Currently, eight regional call centers provide health and human service, workforce development, veteran support and transportation information and referral. Currently, more than 94 percent of Michigan’s population has access to 2-1-1. However, expansion of the system is planned to provide access to 100 percent of the state’s veterans, active service and military families.
The Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative is funded and managed by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The grant will be awarded to the Michigan Department of Transportation who submitted the application on behalf of the Michigan Association of United Ways.
Source: News release from Michigan Department of Transportation
