NWRC Advisory Board Minutes
August 5, 2010, 1 pm
Seniors and Disabled Services,
Conference Room
Welcome & Introductions
Present: Bud
Perscheck, Rae Goforth, Shelly Solum, Eric Barton, Cindy Howe, Sarah Dailey,
Henry Heimuller
Brokerage Managers-DHS Report
Upcoming
Brokerage Conference. Annual Transportation Brokerage Conference being hosted
by NWRC for a second year. This time it will be held in Gearhart at McMenamin's
Sandtrap. Representatives from brokerages around the state of Oregon gather to
discuss various topics including Gas Voucher Programs, Eligibility Downloads
(from DMAP), Veteran's Transportation and Eligibility, Program divisions,
Program reimbursement and payment, and more. The conference is August 18th,
19th, 20th and Sarah will email the agenda to everyone. The conference is a
working conference; not something the NWRC Advisory Board would need to attend
in its entirety, but feel free to attend particular sessions, and just let
Sarah know. If you are present for meals, a $90 fee is requested to help cover
cost.
Complaints/Comments
Shelly Solum recently
experienced difficulty requesting a current Clatsop County Provider Rate Sheet.
The first and second copies both had wrong rates listed for Medix (in some
areas). A correct rate sheet was finally received one month after her initial
request. Also, all ambulatory trips were being dispatched to another provider
who had left the area and then returned. When she inquired she was informed the
other provider had a lower rate. After receiving the rate sheet, she discovered
Medix rate was more cost effective in several areas where trips are frequent.
Director Howe said she would be holding a NWRC staff meeting soon to receive clarification and review procedures. She will follow up with Shelly afterwards.
Eric Barton shared there has been very few comments or complaints. The main issue being faced by the NWRC clients and staff is with DHS Volunteer drivers not calling clients the day prior to their trip. This is an important step because it eases a client's mind knowing who their transportation provider is and the ride is confirmed for the next day.
Director Howe spoke about areas that need ongoing improvement
within the Volunteer Driver program, such as no mandatory vehicle inspections
and driver passenger assistance training, both of which can be done with the
NWRC.
Financial Reports. SETD and NWRC are receiving agency-wide
computer and software upgrades. Because of this, the financials are currently
not available, but will be soon. They will be emailed as soon as they are
ready.
Board Member Reports and Comments. Eric Barton said he was able to send some additional copies of the NWRC Client Program Guide to Clatsop County Public Health to give to clients. They were thrilled to have copies available.
Other Items/Comments
Potential Veterans
Administration Visit. The VA in Washington D.C. may be coming to the Pacific
Northwest for a Veterans Administration Meeting regarding transportation,
reimbursement, and eligibility. Cindy Howe serves on the Veterans
Administration Task Force, and wants to see coordination of services between
the VA and outside agencies. Currently there are issues with reimbursement
payments, inadequate vehicles (vehicles without lifts) for transporting people
with disabilities, and an ongoing effort to improve scheduling of VA
transporting.
Henry Heimuller shared Columbia County Rider transports
veterans and bills the VA Portland Medical office for trips. Sometimes the
clients can utilize fixed route, but often times they live 15-30 miles off
route so Dial-A-Ride is used. Cindy Howe would like to learn more about their
process, so they can be included in the site tours during the upcoming VA
visit.
Thank you SDS for use of the conference room! (And for providing the cookies for sustenance).
Next meeting is October 28th from 1:00-3:00 at the Astoria Transit Center.
Adjourn 2:33 PM.