Transportation Challenges and working with Native Populations Jordan - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transportation Challenges and working with Native Populations

Jordan Lyons, Housing Coordinator Missoula AIDS Council (406)543-4770 Jordan@MissoulaAIDSCouncil.org

Lots of reasons to love Montana...

...a great transportation network isn't one of them

photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/josephsparks/246779100/

Western Montana Service Area

Transportation Challenges

• Scarcity of public transit options
• Not much passenger rail, Greyhound, or regional airline

service

• Cold weather can be a barrier to alternative transportation

Cars (and Trucks)

Necessary for many rural clients to reach care, run errands, or enjoy the area's recreation opportunities, but they pose risks:

• Hazards such as mountain passes, wildlife, poorly lit roads,

and weather events (snow, ice, wind, rain)

• Long, rural commutes often result in speeding (and speeding

tickets)

• Financial or functional barriers to maintaining license and

registration

• Likelihood of DUI for clients with drug or alcohol issues

These risks have implications for clients' health and safety, their insurance rates, and the lifespan of their vehicles.

Transportation for Service Providers

Site visits for rural service providers pose a number of challenges:

• The cost of travel is increasing.
• Time out of the office means a loss of productivity.
• It's difficult to really know what's going on with a client you
• nly see face-to-face once a year.

Transportation Solutions

• Clients hitchhike
• Clients barter, exchange rides for labor or gas

money

• Service providers assist financially with bus

passes, gas, licensing, insurance, car repairs, etc.

• Organizing carpools
• Improving technology and affordability of

communication

• Partnering with local agencies, sharing

information

• Securing income for clients (jobs, disability)

Improvising Direct Services Managing Need

Working with Clients Living on Native American Reservations

Challenges and solutions for service provision

Rich cultural traditions and history Low cultural competence among service providers, maybe stigma or homophobia among community members. Tight-knit families and supportive communities Little privacy, or perception of privacy Services such as Indian Health Services, Tribal LIEAP Difficulty knowing what is available, who is eligible for what, quality of services

Strengths Challenges Native American communities may have distinct assets to clients, and/or may impose barriers

Improving case management for Native clients

• Research and increase your knowledge and

understanding of Native American populations in your area.

• Network with Native American service providers

and other leaders in your community.

• Remember that each person has her or his own

experiences, beliefs, values, opinions and personality.