The resource provides guidance and tools for assessing transportation needs of veterans, service members, and their families and for improving public transit, specialized transportation, volunteer services, and other local transportation options to meet those needs. This report begins with foundational information on community transportation services and initiatives currently available for veterans, service members, and their families. Subsequent chapters guide readers through an organized process for improving transportation options, building on the framework of coordination. The chapters address concepts and requirements for improving existing transportation services and for implementing new transportation options. Chapter topics include: leadership, outreach, planning, coordination and mobility management, services, business practices, communication, and evaluation. While each chapter can be used independently, users of the report may benefit more by taking advantage of the entire document. Most of the chapters conclude with “tools” appropriate to the chapter’s topic as well as a list of additional resources, suggesting reports and websites that offer more information. For example, in Chapter 5, Planning, the tools include examples of survey instruments to help identify transportation needs of veterans, service members, and families and, in Chapter 9, Communication, the tools include examples of messages to communicate the transportation improvements as well as suggested media, from the more traditional print media to more current social media. (Author/publisher)
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