The California Association for Coordinated Transportation (CalACT) presented Pomona Valley Transportation Authority (PVTA), Valley Transportation Services (VTrans) and San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) with the 2011 Outstanding Coordination Effort Award for the Community Connections Volunteer Driver Program at their 2012 spring conference and expo awards ceremony and luncheon April 25 in Newport Beach.
Representing small, rural and specialized transportation providers statewide, CalACT is the largest state transit association in the United States, with nearly 300 members dedicated to promoting professional excellence, stimulating ideas and advocating for effective community transportation. The CalACT Coordination award recognizes a member of CalACT that has made positive contributions to transportation and CalACT members. (www.calact.org)
PVTA, VTrans and SANBAG were recognized for outstanding coordination and partnerships in the development of Community Connections Volunteer Driver Program, a program of Community Senior Services. Community Senior Services is a 501(c)3 that is providing access to essential, affordable, life enhancing services to seniors in 17 cities in western Inland Empire, Pomona Valley and eastern Los Angeles County. Mission is to connect people, information, resources and communities to enrich the lives of older adults.
Community Connections is an innovative volunteer driver program that provides door-through-door assisted transportation service to seniors and individuals with disabilities who cannot easily use other transportation services who reside in the Los Angeles County cities of Claremont, La Verne, Pomona, San Dimas and the San Bernardino County cities of Chino, Chino Hills, Montclair, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga and Upland. The Volunteer Driver Program provides mileage reimbursement friends, neighbors and caregivers who can provide rides.
Additional coordinating partners: The Federal Transit Administration New Freedoms grants in partnership with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and San Bernardino County Omnitrans. The Beverly Foundation and Independent Living Partnerships (TRIP). DeVry University Student senior project: www. communityconnections-css.org. Claremont Graduate University Students Year One Evaluation Project
