BUILDING THE FULLY COORDINATED HUMAN SERVICE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM For most of us, getting to work, getting to the doctor, or getting to church means getting in our car. But for many people, it’s not that easy. There are often many challenges that individuals face when trying to “get a ride.” It’s not that we – governments and community organizations – have not tried to help. Nearly every human service program recognizes that transportation is important. In fact, there are 62 federal programs that fund transportation services. And Americans – through our taxes and through our charitable contributions – are spending a significant amount of money in order to help. Ironically, for most people who need transportation help, the creation of more programs has not made getting around much easier! The key to using these funds and services more efficiently is coordination. The Department of Transportation, with its partners at the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Education, launched United We Ride to break down the barriers between programs and set the stage for local partnerships that generate common sense solutions and deliver A-plus performance for everyone who needs transportation. Today, under the leadership of the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility, ten different Federal departments and the National Council on Disability participate in the United We Ride initiative.  United We Ride includes: Federal Executive Order. The White House issued an Executive Order in February of 2004 establishing a Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility to focus 10 federal agencies on the coordination agenda. It may be found here. Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility. The CCAM includes 11 Federal Departments and is charged with simplifying access, increasing cost efficiencies, and reducing duplication of federal rules and regulations. The Coordinating Council has an ambitious action plan that includes six overarching goal areas: Education and Outreach; Consolidated Access; Regulatory Relief; Coordinated Planning; Cost Allocation; and Useful Practices. Click here for a full copy of the CCAM Action Plan. A Framework for Action. Created by a panel of experts from around the country, the Framework for Action is a self-assessment tool that states and communities can use to identify areas of success and highlight the actions still needed to improve the coordination of human service transportation. The Framework for Action and facilitator’s guide, is available at Framework for Action. State Coordination Grants. 45 States have received United We Ride State Coordination Grants, to address gaps and needs related to human service transportation in their geographic regions. This grant program assists states with developing a statewide action plan or taking steps to implement an existing action plan. Help Along the Way This technical assistance program builds on the work of the Community Transportation Assistance Program (CTAP), the Rural Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP), Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA) and other stakeholders to provide hands-on assistance to states and communities in the development and delivery of coordinated human service transportation programs. For more information on Technical Assistance. 2/7/2005