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Debbie Watson Lynn Phillips Carolan |
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May 2005Central Florida Named as One of Five National Sites for New Older Adults Transportation ProgramIndependent Transportation Network (ITN) has selected Central Florida as one of five sites for replication of its successful non-profit, low-cost transportation service for seniors. The announcement, made Thursday, May 26, at a meeting of the community’s Elder Transportation Council, follows a decision by the Winter Park Health Foundation (WPHF) to provide $67,500 to the Senior Resource Alliance (SRA) for the planning and development of the program locally. SRA will provide an additional $32,500 for the development phase. ITN Orlando, which will be directed by SRA, could begin on a limited basis in the communities of Eatonville, Maitland and Winter Park, as early as the first quarter of 2006. "The Winter Park Health Foundation Older Adults Work Group realized that mobility is the linchpin for success as we strive to create a community for a lifetime-where people of all ages are valued and supported," said Dr. Ivan Castro, member of the WPHF Board of Trustees and chairman of its Older Adults Work Group. ITN, based in Maine, is a program aimed at providing “community-based, and community supported, economically viable and consumer-oriented, quality transportation service for seniors.” The service is designed for seniors who need to limit or stop driving because of age-related change that compromises their safety, independence, and mobility. Designed to replicate the comfort and convenience of private automobile ownership, ITN uses autos and both paid and volunteer drivers to provide services around the clock. Central Florida’s need for such a program, and the reason the WPHF and SRA are funding the planning phase, is illustrated in a Transportation Report funded and released by the WPHF on May 26th in conjunction with the pilot site announcement. The report, “What Do You Do When Your Car Won’t Take You Where You Want To Go? Transportation Issues Affecting Older Adults in Orange County, Florida,” notes there are more than 15 million licensed drivers in Florida with 4.6 million aged 55 and older. In Orange County, this group represents 20.6 percent of the licensed population. Seniors, the report notes, want to preserve their independence as long as possible and mobility is a key to that freedom. Lack of mobility can lead to social isolation and depression. Few seniors who stop driving convert to use of public transportation, so alternatives are needed. Dr. Douglas Beach, CEO of The Senior Resource Alliance, states “This program will be one more piece in the effort to solve the puzzle of senior transportation. For many seniors, transporation is a limiting factor and we hope this program will help to reduce that limitiation for seniors in Winter Park, Maitland, and Eatonville.” |
ArchivesApril 2008Winter Park Health Foundation Awards $300,000 for Health Improvement Projects March 2008Regional Approach to Cutting Childhood Obesity Gets Attention Healthy Communities Initiative Receives 18 Proposals for WPHF Support January 2008Third Annual Fast Start Invitational Draws 600 Plus Kids December 2007Healthy Communities Initiative Draws About 100 Ideas Winter Park Health Foundation Elects Three New Trustees November 2007August 2007Winter Park Health Foundation Adds New Trustee: Matt Davies Diana Silvey Joins WPHF as Program Director June 2007ITNOrlando Gets Funding Boost From The Winter Park Health Foundation WPHF Grants Provide Emergency Protection for Winter Park April 2007Community Leaders’ Lunch Draws 120 Plus March 2007Florida Health Policy Center Publishes Its First Brief—WPHF is a Founding Member December 2006Winter Park Health Foundation Elects Officers and Adds Two Trustees WPHF Releases Issue Brief : Florida Volunteers: The Driving Force for Senior Mobility November 2006Access Work Group Provides Grant to Improve Birth Outcomes September 2006Six Florida Foundations Study Possible Health Policy Institute Medicare Education Efforts a Success August 2006Winter Park Health Foundation Funding of School-Based Health Care Services Exceeds $9 Million New Wellness Policies Establish HSTs Throughout Orange County June 2006Citizens’ Health Care Working Group Releases Interim Recommendations May 2006Certificate of Need Policy Brief Mobility Forum Draws Key Speakers March 2006February 2006Consumer Concerns Aired Medicare Education Program Serves as National Model December 2005November 2005Winter Park Health Foundation WPHF Pledges $1 Million for UCF Medical School October 2005Florida on the Move’s Obesity Summit Draws a Capacity Crowd September 2005New Policy Brief Released: Understanding Florida’s Medicaid Waiver Application Local Foundation Provides Hurricane Relief Funds to Red Cross July 2005Back to School Health Fair Hosted by the Winter Park Health Foundation June 2005New Policy Brief Released: Understanding Florida’s Medicaid Reform Legislation May 2005Central Florida Named as One of Five National Sites for New Older Adults Transportation Program March 2005January 2005Winter Park Health Foundation Contributes $3 Million to Launch Hospital's Building Campaign December 2004Health Care Issues Rank High on the Minds of Florida Voters November 2004July 2004New Florida Medicaid Policy Brief Helps Set Stage for July 12 Medicaid Reform Symposium Medicaid Reform Conference draws 300 Floridians Central Florida Community Health Assessment Now Underway June 2004Local Leaders Head for Obesity Summit May 2004Local Leaders Get Chance to Walk in the Shoes of the Uninsured New Legislation May Help Small Business Woes Jack La Lanne to Help Launch Vital Living 2004: Focus on Fitness April 2004Policy Brief Outlines Potential Implications of Medicaid Waivers Celebration of Change Event Honors Students for Healthy Life Changes February 2004Y Night: Prescription for Fun and Fitness for Teens January 2004November 2003 |
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