DODGEVILLE - Leadership in Innovative Flexible Transportation, LIFT, announces two new programs for helping residents of Southwest Wisconsin get where they need to go. LIFT is the ongoing initiative of a five-county (Green, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette and Richland) collaborative transit team consisting of non profits, county government, disability advocates and consumers.
LIFT is working with area employers, schools, and residents in general to provide an online carpooling and ridesharing network and is creating a new online resource, www.jointhemobilization.com, which pulls together many different ridesharing resources, displaying them together, so that those people interested in ridesharing can find each other across different resources. LIFT is available to come to businesses, schools and events, to sign people up for carpooling, as well as to educate them on the benefits of sharing the ride. "We're also hopeful that as carpoolers are exposed to and recognize the unmet transportation needs of the aging and people with disabilities, they might consider becoming volunteer drivers as well," said Roessler. This initiative is funded in part by STRAP, a Federal Transit Association grant program for assisting transportation efforts in rural areas.
LIFT has also been awarded a Medicaid Infrastructure grant, through Wisconsin DHS Pathways to Independence, to help people with disabilities access employment.
"The key to maximizing transportation options for everyone, especially in our rural area of the state, is the participation of the residents themselves. LIFT is looking for people who are willing to share a seat in their vehicle on trips that they already make - commuting, shopping, attending community events," continued Anderson. He also pointed out that reimbursement for mileage is available for many trips.
LIFT is the product of an initiative started in 2006 when the Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SWWRPC) worked with local stakeholders to meet federal and state requirements for transit planning. Facilitating a core group of leaders from Green, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette and Richland County governments, Southwest Wisconsin Community Action Program, the Hodan Center, and Southwest Opportunities Center the regional approach to transportation coordination took form. This core group, the Southwest Wisconsin Transit Team, continues to provide supervision, guidance and support for LIFT. The SWTT also facilitates the Advisory Committee for LIFT, which includes representatives of local planning agencies, Veterans officers, Southwest Family Care Alliance and DVR, among others. These regional leaders give the planning support and provide the momentum and direction for the coordinated transportation efforts in Southwestern Wisconsin. If you are interested in serving on the LIFT Advisory Committee, contact Phil Anderson directly at liftdirector@gmail.com of 608 930-2191.
The LIFT office is located at 201 S. Iowa Street in Dodgeville, and services the five counties of Iowa, Richland, Grant, Lafayette, and Green, with partnerships in Sauk, Crawford, Juneau and Dane counties as well. For more program information, to set up a carpool, or become a volunteer driver, call LIFT at (608) 930-2191 or visit their Web site: www.swt-lift.org.
LIFT is working with area employers, schools, and residents in general to provide an online carpooling and ridesharing network and is creating a new online resource, www.jointhemobilization.com, which pulls together many different ridesharing resources, displaying them together, so that those people interested in ridesharing can find each other across different resources. LIFT is available to come to businesses, schools and events, to sign people up for carpooling, as well as to educate them on the benefits of sharing the ride. "We're also hopeful that as carpoolers are exposed to and recognize the unmet transportation needs of the aging and people with disabilities, they might consider becoming volunteer drivers as well," said Roessler. This initiative is funded in part by STRAP, a Federal Transit Association grant program for assisting transportation efforts in rural areas.
LIFT has also been awarded a Medicaid Infrastructure grant, through Wisconsin DHS Pathways to Independence, to help people with disabilities access employment.
"The key to maximizing transportation options for everyone, especially in our rural area of the state, is the participation of the residents themselves. LIFT is looking for people who are willing to share a seat in their vehicle on trips that they already make - commuting, shopping, attending community events," continued Anderson. He also pointed out that reimbursement for mileage is available for many trips.
LIFT is the product of an initiative started in 2006 when the Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SWWRPC) worked with local stakeholders to meet federal and state requirements for transit planning. Facilitating a core group of leaders from Green, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette and Richland County governments, Southwest Wisconsin Community Action Program, the Hodan Center, and Southwest Opportunities Center the regional approach to transportation coordination took form. This core group, the Southwest Wisconsin Transit Team, continues to provide supervision, guidance and support for LIFT. The SWTT also facilitates the Advisory Committee for LIFT, which includes representatives of local planning agencies, Veterans officers, Southwest Family Care Alliance and DVR, among others. These regional leaders give the planning support and provide the momentum and direction for the coordinated transportation efforts in Southwestern Wisconsin. If you are interested in serving on the LIFT Advisory Committee, contact Phil Anderson directly at liftdirector@gmail.com of 608 930-2191.
The LIFT office is located at 201 S. Iowa Street in Dodgeville, and services the five counties of Iowa, Richland, Grant, Lafayette, and Green, with partnerships in Sauk, Crawford, Juneau and Dane counties as well. For more program information, to set up a carpool, or become a volunteer driver, call LIFT at (608) 930-2191 or visit their Web site: www.swt-lift.org.
