“We recognize many individuals in our community are capable and ready to work to support themselves and their families,” Donaghy said. “Unfortunately, many lack the resources to ready themselves for employment.”
The program is funded in part by a $250,000 federal grant through the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission. Private funds also are being raised to match the grant.
The reimbursements are available to agencies, not individuals. Agencies that receive tokens from the fund will distribute them free of charge to clients.
Social Service providers must submit documentation to RTA that each bus trip was related to work in order to be reimbursed. That documentation can be submitted electronically to speed up the reimbursement process, which should take about two weeks.
Kim Bramlage, marketing and communications specialist for Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley, said the agency buys 100 bus tokens at a time.
“This would be a great opportunity for our agency’” she said.
Nonprofit agencies wishing to obtain the discounted tokens must establish an RTA token distribution program. Applications are available at i-riderta.org, or contact program coordinator Barbara Chamberlain at (937) 425-8331.
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