RINGGOLD, Ga. — Less than a week after our story aired, there’s been a positive development for some people who were going to have to worry about getting to and from work.
We told you that future funding for transportation services from Bridge Health’s Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Supported Employment programs were in doubt, affecting people like Tra St. Pierre, who has Down syndrome and works at the Zaxby’s in Ringgold.
On Monday, we learned from Bridge Health CEO Heather Roesner that they learned late last Friday the funding would be there. Roesner tells us in an email
Bridge Health was notified by the Department of Human Services (DHS) that the supplemental transportation funding for Bridge Health’s Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Supported Employment programs yearly budgeted funds would be exhausted as of October 31, 2024. However, Bridge Health was later informed that the year’s budgeted funds would be extended through December 31, 2024. These budgeted funds run on a fiscal year of July – June.
The good news however, is that the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) worked with DHS to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. We were notified late in the day on Friday January 3rd that the funding was reinstated and trips could resume.
Services resumed for Tra and others on Monday.
Tra’s sister, Crystal St. Pierre, emphasized the importance of the transportation service, saying, “He loves being a part of something bigger than himself, and being able to be a part of his community.”
“Just imagine being told you can’t go to work anymore because you can’t drive. It’s so debilitating,” Crystal said, highlighting the challenges faced by those who rely on the service.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
