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LIFTS director: near‑full staffing and Medicaid‑waiver application underway
Summary
Carter Baldwin, director of Linn County LIFTS, said the service is nearly fully staffed after summer vacancies, has submitted for an NPI to complete a Medicaid‑waiver transportation application, and is launching a driver safety initiative for tight parking‑lot pickups.
Carter Baldwin, director of Linn County LIFTS, briefed the board that the county transportation service is close to full staffing after a challenging summer and that managers have submitted an NPI number required to pursue Medicaid‑waiver transportation rides.
“We had to get an NPI number, which is a number that is, what certifies us to be able to provide those waiver rights,” Baldwin said. He said the county has submitted the application for the NPI and expects it within a couple of weeks, after which the final Medicaid waiver application will be filed.
Baldwin also described a safety initiative in response to several parking‑lot incidents. Because LIFTS provides door‑to‑door service, drivers regularly enter apartment and clinic lots not designed for buses. The program will include driver training, pre‑route hazard information and communications so drivers can better assess conditions before entering lots.
Board members thanked Baldwin and reported firsthand experience from ride‑along trips underscoring the importance of the service for vulnerable residents. Baldwin said he will relay the board’s appreciation to staff.
