Dubuque Jule Transit / Marshall Islands Health Project Grant Application Copyright 2014
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 7.
ITEM TITLE: Dubuque Marshall Islands Health Project Grant Application
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending approval to submit a grant
application through the State Transit Assistance program to
provide transportation for Marshallese to medical care
through the Dubuque Marshall Islands Health Project.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Marshall Islands Health Project-MVM Memo City Manager Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Authorizing Resolution Resolutions
Grant Application Supporting Documentation
Letter of Support- Transit Advisory Board Supporting Documentation
Letter of Match Commitment- Mercy Health Center Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF Dubuque
DUB E i"
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007.2012.2013
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: State Transportation Assistance Grant for Dubuque Marshall Islands
Health Project
DATE: November 29, 2016
Transit Manager Candace Eudaley recommends City Council approval to submit a grant
application through the State Transit Assistance program to provide transportation for
Marshallese to medical care through the Dubuque Marshall Islands Health Project.
If funds are received from the Iowa Department of Transportation State Transit
Assistance Program, the Dubuque Marshallese Health Project will purchase and their
staff will distribute 11-Ride Bus Passes, 8 times per year and one Annual Youth Pass
for each of 50 families. The passes will assist the low-income and underserved
Marshallese who are in need of transportation to medical appointments.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Candace Eudaley, Transit Manger
Maurice Jones, Economic Development Director
THE CITY OF Dubuque
DUB E 1
Masterpiece on the Mississippi pp,.2�.p „
TO: Mike Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Candace Eudaley, Transit Manager
CC: Maurice Jones, Economic Development Director
Jenny Larson, Budget Director
DATE: November 28, 2016
RE: State Transportation Assistance Grant for Dubuque Marshall Islands Health
Project
PURPOSE
To request approval of the attached resolution and application for funding through the State
Transit Assistance Program to collaborate with the Dubuque Marshall Islands Health Project. If
received, grant funding will provide bus passes for medical appointments and other healthcare
resources. The project will disproportionately, positively benefit the Marshallese population in
Dubuque. Local match funding will be provided by the Marshallese Health Project.
BACKGROUND
The goal of the Marshallese Health Project is to decrease the high number of hospitalizations
among the Marshallese in Dubuque by providing transportation to primary medical care
appointments, preventive training, and other related resources within the community.
Over a year ago, Mercy Medical Center implemented a program designed to address the
immediate health concerns and long-range health outlook for Marshallese residents in Dubuque
and overcome the economic, lingual, and cultural barriers for this population in obtaining health
care. At any given time, approximately 400-600 Marshall Islands persons reside in Dubuque but
are ineligible to receive state health insurance due to their political status under the Compact of
Free Association. Additionally, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer affect the Marshallese
at higher rates than the overall U.S. population. Mercy's efforts include training Marshallese
persons to guide fellow Marshallese through the health care system and providing primary
health care for the 300 to 600 Marshall Islanders who reside in Dubuque.
DISCUSSION
If funds are received from the Iowa DOT State Transit Assistance Program, the Dubuque
Marshallese Health Project will purchase and their staff will distribute 11-Ride Bus Passes, 8
times per year and one Annual Youth Pass for each of 50 families. The passes will assist the
low-income and underserved Marshallese who are in need of transportation to medical
appointments. The project will utilize our existing public transit system and project participants
will receive safe, accessible, and reliable transportation to health care resources. The project
will also support transportation independence among the Marshallese as they will gain
experience and familiarity in using The Jule for their transportation needs.
FINANCIAL
The estimated costs for the project total $5,000 and requested funds from the Iowa DOT total
$4,000. Interviews with Marshallese participants by Health project staff have assisted in
determining the most economical pass option for the transportation needs. In addition, The Jule
will provide its standard 25% non-profit discount for the program. The Dubuque Marshall
Islands Health Project will contribute $1,000 of funding support for the purchase of passes.
Since this is a new funding partnership opportunity, these estimates were not included in the
Jule FY17 budget.
Pass Type Quantity Cost per pass Total
(1 per year to 50 families) Youth Passes 50 $10 $500
(8 per year to 50 families) 11 Ride Punch Card 400 $11.25' $4,500
'Pass cost based on 25% discount off original price of $15 per pass
Fund Description Fund Amount
STA Grant— 80% $4,000.00
Local match, provided by Health Project—20% $1,000.00
Total Project Cost 5 000.00
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that the grant application be submitted to the Iowa DOT State Transit Assistance
Program to provide transportation for Marshallese to medical care through the Dubuque
Marshall Islands Health Project. An authorizing resolution from the City Council is required and
attached for consideration.
State Transit Assistance Special Project
Authorizing Resolution
We, hereby, authorize Candace Eudaley, Transit Manager
(Name of Authorized Signatory)
on behalf of City of Dubuque d.b.a. The Jule
(Legal Name of Applicant)
to apply for financial assistance as noted below and to enter into related contract(s) with the Iowa
Department of Transportation.
From the State Transit Assistance Program:
$ 4,000.00 of Special Project Funds
We certify that Dubuque Marshall Islands Health Project
has sufficient funds to provide required match for this State Transit Assistance Special Project.
Adopted the 28th day of Nov , 2016 .
Name: City Council of Dubuque, Iowa
By:
Title: Mayor
.. pplicant's governing body)
' (Signature of chief executive officer)
Address: 50 West l3t' Street, Dubuque, IA 52001
Telephone: 563-589-4121
Iowa Department of Transportation State Transit Assistance Special Project Authorizing Resolution Fonn 020120B (12-15)
DATE: The Jule
City of Dubuque Transit Division _,_
950 Elm Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
On behalf of the Dubuque Transit Advisory Board, I am writing to express support for The Jule's
proposal to the IDOT's State Transit Assistance program for funding to supplement the Dubuque
Marshall Islands Health Project which will reduce health disparities in Dubuque. We are excited about
a potential partnership with the Dubuque Marshall Islands Health Project to improve transportation
access to medical appointments and other health resources for the underserved Marshallese
population in Dubuque.
As an organization which prioritizes underserved populations, partnering with the Dubuque Marshall
Islands Health Project is a natural fit for the Jule. The Jule will contribute to the reduction of health
disparities within Dubuque through the use of the existing public transit system. Those involved in the
Project will receive accessible, reliable and safe transportation to health care providers.
If funds are granted, the Jule will provide bus passes to approximately 50 Marshallese families in
Dubuque for transportation to medical appointments and other healthcare resources. This will
contribute to the Dubuque Marshall Island Health Project's goal of improving health care for this
underserved population. Any action which can be taken to improve equal access to health care in
Dubuque will positively benefit the community. The proposed partnership between The Jule and the
Dubuque Marshall Island Health Project will significantly contribute to realizing this goal.
Sincerely,
Matt Esser
Transit Advisory Board Chair
950 ELM STREET, DUBUQUE, IA 52001 1 WWW.JULETRANSIT.ORG 1 563-589-4196
Mercy
MEDICAL CENTER 250 Mercy Drive
DUBUQUE Dubuque,Iowa 52001
A.e be,ofMa ,Hm hNe A 563.589.8000
Magnet'Recognized
November 28, 2016
To whom it may concern,
On behalf of Mercy Medical Center - Dubuque, we support The Jule's proposal to
receive funding to reduce health disparities in Dubuque. We strongly recommend the
proposed project which will provide bus passes for transportation to medical
appointments for participants in the Dubuque Marshall Islands Health Project.
Our organization is active in the planning and implementation of the Dubuque Marshall
Islands Health Project aiming to improve population health and access to primary health
care and . We are the employer for the project's dedicated community health nurse and
community health workers.
We have funds budgeted to fulfill the required match and are committing $1,000 toward
the project. In partnering with The Jule and the Marshall Islands Health Project, we will
contribute to the success of the proposed project by employing staff, providing training
and resources and assisting with the care of the members of the Marshallese
community.
We are excited to be a part of the growth and success of this project. If funds are
granted through the IDOT State Transition Assistance program, improved access to
health care for the underserved Marshallese population in Dubuque will only continue to
grow. As stakeholders in this project, Mercy Medical Center- Dubuque looks forward to
assisting in reducing health disparities in Dubuque.
Sincerely,
U /k�jf6
Jennifer Cavanagh, RN, MSW Jodie McDermottRN MSN
Director, Case Management Coordinator, Case Management