Travel Training with Carbondale Community High School
Choices Program
What a way to start off the Spring then with a Travel Training with students at Carbondale Community High School, Choices Program! On April 17th, instructor Joanie Bishop invited HSTP Coordinators Jaime Blatti and Terri Finn along with Frank Mulholland, Director for Jackson County Mass Transit District to teach the Choices Students how to utilize public transportation. We discussed all transit in the region, including Amtrak, the Saluki bus, and JCMTD vehicles and where each vehicle could take them.
When asked if they knew about the Amtrak and where they could travel on it, the students shouted out “Miami” and “Chicago” while smiling ear to ear. Included in the training was information on how and where the students could use Jackson County MTD services including employment, education, medical, and visiting their friends and family. And Frank gave all the students and teachers magnets, pens and brochures. Ms. Bishop did an exceptional job of getting the students involved and excited to participate, which made this training anything but ordinary.
The most successful part of the training was having the students call and schedule a ride with JCMTD dispatchers. Thanks to Frank, we were able to call several times allowing multiple students to participate. After scheduling rides, the group walked outside and watched the vehicle arrive and get a hands-on look at all the details of a paratransit vehicle!
The Choices Program is a class of transition age (14-21) students with special needs at Carbondale Community High School who all students live in Carbondale or the surrounding area. Most will be relying on friends, family or public transportation upon graduation. JCMTD and the HSTP Coordinators have been invited back to inform and reiterate to the students, the choices they have with their transportation needs.
Travel Training with Lawrence- Crawford Association for Exceptional Citizens
On Friday, February 24th, Region 9, 10 & 11 HSTP Coordinators Jaime Blatti and Terri Finn took part in a Mobility Management Travel Training with 25 staff members of the Lawrence-Crawford Association for Exceptional Citizens (LCAEC). This travel training was lead by Eileen Sierra, Mobility Coach. Debra Staggs and Carletta Hanks of RIDES MTD were also on hand and provided information on the agencies policies and procedures.
The training was nothing less than a success! The staff was welcoming and excited to have a conversation about transportation. All staff gave a short introduction of themselves, the job they do at LCAEC and how transportation is a part of their daily routine. It was clearly conveyed that the Lawrence-Crawford staff was grateful for the services RIDES MTD was providing their clients and gave direct appreciation to Debbie, the local driver that also attended the training.
The travel training consisted of teaching the staff about the MY TRIP project, the HSTP process, a regional transportation outlook, and most importantly the level of service that is provided by RIDES MTD. Although the staff is very knowledgeable about public transportation, this training allowed them to ask direct questions and engage in group discussion on how public transportation can also improve their personal mobility needs.
LCAEC is a not-for-profit agency founded in 1977 by a small group of parents seeking services for their developmentally disabled children. There are two locations, Robinson and Lawrenceville, IL. Over the years, LCAEC has grown to annually serve over eighty adults and their families. Programs offered include developmental, residential, vocational, educational, and family support services. Currently, Arnold Herman, Executive Director of LCAEC is the HSTP Region 10 Committee Chair and contracts transportation with RIDES MTD.
The LCAEC workshop currently has an employment contract with Hershey, Inc. and clients are employed to re-box candy bars before being sent out to stores. Arnold graciously gave the training team a box of Hershey Skor bars for their enjoyment.
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