Latest News & Current Happenings

Krystin Trustman presented the DRMAC (Denver Regional Mobility Access Council) Getting There Guide, a transportation resource on transportation in the Denver Metro Area.

• The Guide is published annually in five languages.
• It lists different transportation options including RTD fixed route service and rides by appointment using private providers.
• It’s available in PDF form on the DRMAC website – drmac-co.org and on the rides-DRMAC app.

Dawn Howard with CCDC (Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition) talked about the importance of the 2020 Census.

• The Census will be available on-line, by mail and in person starting in March 2020. It is completely Section 508 compliant and can be used with screen-readers.
• Each person identified in the census equals approximately $2,300/yr for governmental services like Medicaid, SNAP and TANF.

DCPD created a PSA for Adaptive Recreation in the City of Denver,

Employment in the City is re-writing the letter they distribute to potential employers emphasizing competitive and meaningful employment for people with disabilities to improve the types and levels of jobs employers post.

The next meeting is Tuesday, February 4th, 2020 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Studio 106.

Jefferson County Local Coordinating Council, November 7, 2019

Senior’s Resource Center

3227 Chase St. 1:30-3:30pm 3rd Floor Conference Room

• Met with RTD Board members who represent Jefferson County
• Discussed how we can support RTD in meeting the needs of the public. Focused on three themes:

1. Use of paratransit dollars more efficiently
2. Provide more fixed route service
3. Policy change

• The discussions led to council agency (Lakewood Rides) accepted by RTD to be a part of the Reimagine RTD Technical committee
• Council continues to work alongside community partners such as the West Corridor TMA and DRMAC connecting metro-wide transportation.

Location: Castle Rock Senior Center (2323 Woodlands Blvd)

• Intros & Updates
  • Faye Estes
    • Waiting on funding from RTD & CDOT for 2020
      • Getting new bus for Senior Center
      • Celebrate: approved for full funding amount requested
    • DRCOG – amendments for Senior services
      • Adding 200 more trips for Senior Center (still in the works)
    • Karie
      • 2 new vehicles at Aging Resources (for total of 5 now)
        • 2 WAV – 3 other
      • Satellite office opening in Parker
        • Ride in Parker now has same service as anyone else
        • They will take riders ANYWHERE (within reason). To the city, etc.
      • Tim
        • Survey & input is up for the town of Castle Rock (flyer handed out)
          • To give council some ideas
          • Continuing with taxi program? Using Metrotaxi
            • Hard hours to work around – M-F 7-4
          • Doug – RTD Chair
            • Operator shortage dilemma
              • Working average of 52.5 hours/week – Mandating overtime – 6 day work weeks
              • Discussing temporary service reduction
            • NOT taking away Access a Ride (AaR)
            • Highblock issues on light rail
              • Currently mother’s with strollers, those with back problems, etc are using this service
              • Discussing ways to signal the highblock is for priority use to those with mobility devices first – but that others can use it after that.

Nancy – 2020 Census for Douglas County

• Slogan: “Shape your future, start here”
• Citizenship question will NOT be on 2020 census
• 3 THINGS TO REMEMBER
  • It’s easy
    • 9 questions total
    • Given in 13 languages (upon request)
    • 3 ways to answer – online (1^st time this is offered), phone, mail
    • 3% are mailed an extensive survey called The American Community Survey – this one is long but important as it gives a look at country’s demographics
  • It’s safe
    • Title 13 of US code protects your information (census workers take oaths)
    • Information can only be used by Dept. of Commerce
      • They can not give your information to ANY other government entity
    • Information is held in confidence for 72 years before released
    • If concerned about cyber security – there are other ways to reply
  • It’s important
    • Funding decisions are made with this census
    • It’s in our constitution
      • Need to know the number for many reasons. More population equals congressional seats…equals political power
    • We need to know the demographics of our community if we’re going to properly serve it
  • Remember:
    • Everyone counts – count your babies
    • Assistance is available
    • 2020census.gov
    • Dates:
      • Mailing begins 3/12/20
      • 4/1/20 is the reference day
      • Have until 7/31/20 to self-respond
      • Deadline 12/31/20 to give results to the President
    • Douglas County will have “safe sites” where older adults can go to have a trusted person help them fill out the forms

Draft of Implementation Plan

• Brought back a full draft – please refer to that for information

Next meeting – 12/6/19 – Annual DCTS & Senior Council Meeting

• Location: 100 3^rd Street (Miller Building) Time: 9:30-11:00