To: Charles Winfrey, Human Services Committee Chairperson
From: Derrick Britton, Veterans Services Director
title
RE: Approval of an agreement between Genesee County Department of Veterans Services (GCDVS) and Mass Transportation Authority (MTA), in an amount not to exceed $110,000.00, to provide Vets to Wellness rides for eligible veterans/family members; the cost for this agreement will be paid from account 2930-689.00-913.005
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval of an agreement between Genesee County Department of Veterans Services and Mass Transportation Authority, in an amount not to exceed $110,000.00, to provide Vets to Wellness rides for eligible veterans/family members for FY27; the cost for this agreement will be paid from account 2930-689.00-913.005.
BACKGROUND:
GCDVS and MTA have partnered since 2018 to provide rides for veterans through an extension of their Rides to Wellness program called “Vets to Wellness.”
DISCUSSION:
The Vets to Wellness program is a free transportation service provided by the Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) Flint in partnership with the Genesee County Department of Veterans Services, offering eligible local veterans and their spouses door-to-door rides to medical appointments, pharmacies, and grocery stores.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
This is a budgeted request from account 2930-689.00-913.005.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
None.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
None.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
Community and Economic Growth: Vets to Wellness helps to assist veteran residents with health, family stability, community connectivity, and access to resources. It also helps with economic stability and supporting of local businesses. Long Term Financial Stability: Transportation is often the first step in getting a veteran connected to VA benefits, which brings funds into Genesee County. Healthy, Livable and Safe Communities: As mentioned, transportation provides veterans with access to multiple services and eliminates a barrier. It helps veterans remain independent and prevents situations from becoming emergencies. Finally, there are veterans who do not own a vehicle, can no longer drive, have mobility issues, or cannot afford transportation. Vets to Wellness creates an Inclusive, Collaborative Culture.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
WHEREAS, this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, recognizes the significant contributions made by veterans, service members, and their families to our nation and our community; and
WHEREAS, reliable transportation is an essential component of access to health care, wellness services, medications, nutritious food, benefits, employment resources, educational opportunities, and other essential community services; and
WHEREAS, some veterans face transportation barriers that can prevent or delay access to services and benefits they have earned through their military service; and
WHEREAS, Vets to Wellness provides transportation assistance designed to connect eligible veterans with health, wellness, medical, pharmacy, food, and other essential community resources, helping remove transportation as a barrier to accessing needed services; and
WHEREAS, Vets to Wellness advances Genesee County's commitment to Healthy, Livable, and Safe Communities by helping veterans access preventive health care, medical appointments, prescriptions, food resources, wellness services, and other resources that support independence and quality of life; and
WHEREAS, Vets to Wellness advances an Inclusive, Collaborative Culture by bringing together the Genesee County Department of Veterans Services, transportation providers, the Department of Veterans Affairs, healthcare organizations, nonprofit organizations, veteran service organizations, and other community partners to coordinate resources around the needs of veterans; and
WHEREAS, Vets to Wellness contributes to Community and Economic Growth by helping veterans access federal, state, and local benefits, healthcare, employment resources, education, and other opportunities that strengthen households and increase participation in the Genesee County economy; and
WHEREAS, federal veterans' benefits represent a significant source of economic activity in Genesee County, and connecting eligible veterans with benefits they have earned helps bring outside federal resources into local households and the local economy; and
WHEREAS, when veterans are able to access healthcare, benefits, food, medications, employment resources, and other services in a timely manner, families are better positioned to maintain stability and veterans are better positioned to remain active and engaged members of the community; and
WHEREAS, Vets to Wellness supports Long-Term Financial Stability by leveraging county resources with federal, state, transportation, healthcare, nonprofit, and community partnerships; and
WHEREAS, early access to health and wellness resources can help address needs before they develop into more significant crises, potentially reducing avoidable pressure on emergency services, social-service systems, families, and other publicly supported resources; and
WHEREAS, this Board recognizes that strategic investments in veterans services can generate benefits beyond the individual veteran by strengthening families, improving community health, increasing economic participation, leveraging outside resources, and supporting the overall well-being of Genesee County; and
WHEREAS, the Genesee County Department of Veterans Services serves as an important convener, connector, and advocate for veterans and their families and is uniquely positioned to coordinate partnerships that improve access to services throughout Genesee County; and
WHEREAS, this Board recognizes Vets to Wellness as an example of how Genesee County can use collaboration and strategic investment to address transportation barriers while advancing multiple county priorities simultaneously.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, hereby recognizes and supports Vets to Wellness as an important countywide initiative that promotes access, independence, health, inclusion, collaboration, economic participation, and community well-being for veterans and their families.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Board encourages continued collaboration among the Genesee County Department of Veterans Services, transportation providers, the Department of Veterans Affairs, healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, veteran service organizations, municipalities, and other community partners to strengthen and expand transportation access for eligible veterans.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to appropriate transportation providers, healthcare organizations, veteran service organizations, community partners, and other stakeholders supporting veterans throughout Genesee County, with the Board's appreciation for their continued service and partnership.