 Since 1976, the MAG Human Services Committees have collaborated with a number of key stakeholders such as state and county agencies, municipal planners, community based organizations and funders of human services within the MAG region. The committees identify strategies to address human services priorities at the regional level and recommend allocations for human services funding in three areas: federal Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) funds for a variety of human services needs, Stuart B. McKinney funds to support homeless assistance programs and Section 5310 funds for agencies that transport older adults and people with disabilities.  On April 8, 2008, nearly 300 people attended the 2008 MAG Conference on Housing and Transportation Human Services Coordination. The event featured local and national experts with the purpose of providing strategies and best practices to stimulate more coordination between housing and transportation. Mayor Michael LeVault of Youngtown, Vice Mayor Peggy Neely of Phoenix, Vice Mayor Claudia Walters of Mesa and Councilmember Greg Stanton of Phoenix all shared their commitment to and expertise through presentations at the event. More local elected officials joined the conference as participants as well.
National experts Chris Zeilinger of the National Resource Center for Human Services Transportation Coordination, Michael O'Neal with AARP, and Michael Freedberg with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development joined with our own Fred Karnas of the Arizona Department of Housing to provide a stellar presentation about opportunities to improve the coordination of housing and transportation. While the event specifically addressed the needs of older adults, people with disabilities and people with low incomes, the solutions for these populations will benefit everyone in the region. The day was an overwhelming success thanks to the diversity of the participants, skills of the speakers and generosity of the sponsors. This event was made possible thanks to the Arizona Community Foundation, Southwest Gas Corporation, Arizona Department of Transportation's Arizona Rides Program, Valley Metro, Veolia Transportation, AARP, Arizona Department of Economic Security and the Arizona Council of Human Services Providers. A report based on the data and insights gathered at this event will be used to create a blueprint for the community about housing and coordination. Strategies like transit-oriented development will provide innovative and effective options for people wanting to improve the accessibility of their communities. Opportunities for action will be presented for the region, municipalities, agencies and residents throughout the area. For more information, please contact Amy St. Peter at astpeter@mag.maricopa.gov. To access the presentations and handouts for the event, please visit this link: 2008 Housing and Transportation Coordination Conference Presentations. To view the program for the event, please visit this link: Housing and Transportation Human Services Coordination Conference. Please see the Human Services Electronic Newsletter for information about current projects and activities. Main Focus Areas: Five committees address regional human services planning at MAG. General Human Services Planning
The MAG Human Services Coordinating Committee advises the MAG Regional Council on human services-related issues and develops regional human services plans. It is supported by its technical counterpart, the MAG Human Services Technical Committee. The two Committees develop allocation recommendations for the locally planned dollars of the Social Services Block Grant. Homelessness
The MAG Continuum of Care Regional Committee on Homelessness provides direction on homeless planning and policy. This is done through updates to the Regional Plan to End Homelessness and a consolidated application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support homeless assistance programs. Domestic Violence
The MAG Regional Domestic Violence Council develops and implements strategies to reduce the incidence of and trauma associated with domestic violence, including the Regional Plan to End Domestic Violence. Areas of focus include training for first responders and healthcare professionals, teen dating violence, and research. Human Services Transportation Planning
In 2001, MAG convened an elderly mobility planning process that resulted in the development of the Regional Action Plan on Aging and Mobility and in 2002, with the region hosting a national conference. MAG also facilitates the application process for Section 5310. The Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Transportation Program Committee determines a priority listing of Section 5310 applications for vehicles, radio equipment, software and mobility management funds to transport older adults and people with disabilities for the Arizona Department of Transportation. Since then, the focus has broadened from older adults and people with disabilities to include people with disabilities and people with low incomes. MAG developed the first MAG Human Services Coordination Transportation Plan in 2007 in response to new federal requirements in SAFETEA-LU legislation. That plan was hailed as a national model and has presented across the country. MAG developed a new coordination plan in 2008 with strong support from the community and provider agencies. | 
