Services for the Elderly: Longstanding Transportation Problems Need More Federal Attention

Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on special transportation services for the elderly, focusing on: (1) principal barriers that transportation providers face in the effective use of federal funds; and (2) possible ways to maximize the use of transportation funds to increase access to services.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
Department of Transportation	To improve service coordination, reduce widespread confusion about program requirements, and help develop better transportation data by more effectively using mechanisms already in place, the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Transportation should expand dissemination of information on service coordination, program requirements and data design and collection to state and local social service and transportation agencies through the Joint Department of Transportation (DOT)-Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Coordinating Council, regional DOT and HHS offices, and initiatives, such as the Rural Transit Assistance Program and its HHS counterpart.	Closed – Implemented The Americans with Disabilities Act Paratransit Handbook, "Implementing the Complimentary Paratransit Service Requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990," was published in September 1991.
Department of Health and Human Services	To improve service coordination, reduce widespread confusion about program requirements, and help develop better transportation data by more effectively using mechanisms already in place, the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Transportation should expand dissemination of information on service coordination, program requirements and data design and collection to state and local social service and transportation agencies through the Joint Department of Transportation (DOT)-Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Coordinating Council, regional DOT and HHS offices, and initiatives, such as the Rural Transit Assistance Program and its HHS counterpart.	Closed – Implemented HHS has funded the Community Transportation Assistance Program (CTAP) to disseminate information to services providers, including hotline, conferences, and workshops. CTAP conducted 10 regional workshops and 5 national training conferences on accessibility, coordination, and resource availability. CTAP has also presented to 15 national human service organization meetings.
Department of Health and Human Services	To improve service coordination, reduce widespread confusion about program requirements, and help develop better transportation data by more effectively using mechanisms already in place, the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Transportation should provide more technical assistance in conference workshops and other in-person means to state and local agencies to help them apply this information to their own special transportation programs.	Closed – Implemented HHS has funded CTAP to offer technical assistance to service providers, including hotline, conferences, and workshops. CTAP conducted 10 regional workshops and 5 national training conferences on accessibility, coordination, and resource availability. CTAP has also presented to 15 national human service organization meetings. The CTAP mailing list includes agencies on aging and Head Start sites.
Department of Transportation	To improve service coordination, reduce widespread confusion about program requirements, and help develop better transportation data by more effectively using mechanisms already in place, the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Transportation should provide more technical assistance in conference workshops and other in-person means to state and local agencies to help them apply this information to their own special transportation programs.	Closed – Implemented FTA has sponsored and conducted conferences and workshops throughout the country to explain ADA requirements. Meetings were held in 1991 and 1992. FTA will continue to conduct these activities as part of an on-going effort.

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Aid for the elderlyCommunity health servicesElder careElderly personsstate relationsState programslocal relationsTechnical assistanceTransportationUrban transportation