Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Transit Locally Develop Plan Development Workshop Wednesday, March 19, 2008 Purpose of today’s workshop is to introduce the Locally Developed Coordinated Public Transit-Human services transportation plan, starting with a history of why is exists, then an overview of the three FTA programs that require the plan for funding eligibility and then a review of the requirements of the plan.

SAFETEA-LU The Transportation Reauthorization Bill passed in 2005 Added New Federal Transit Administration Programs Revised some existing programs Final FTA Circular issued May 1, 2007 9045.1- http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/FTA_C_9045.1_New_Freedom.pdf 9050.1-http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/FTA_C_9050.1_JARC.pdf 9070.1F-http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/C9070.1F.pdf History In 2005, SAFETEA-LU, the trans. Reauthorization bill was passed In addition to more funds for rural transit, there was a new program and two revisions to programs. SAFETEA-LU is the reauthorization bill that was passed in 2005. As a result, in order to participate in three programs in SAFETEA-LU, projects had to be derived from the Locally Developed Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan. Final guidance issue in May 2007 allowed us to proceed with the new programs, but we started earlier on the plan and made available one time planning dollars.

New and Revised Federal Transit Administration Programs Job Access/Reverse Commute (JARC) New Freedom Section 5310 (has many names) Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities Specialized Transportation Program A.K.A.-Section 16 or Section 16(B)2 Here are the three programs JARC New Freedom (the new one) And the Section 5310 AKA Specialized Transportation (in Ohio); The program for Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities (Federal name) and in the past known as the Section 16 program JARC and New Freedom were rolled out yesterday. Section 5310 or the Specialized Transportation Program is being reviewed now and the final awards should be announced in April. The next round of applications should be this fall. There may be changes to this program to includes other eligible activities as provided by the Federal Transit Administration. This is, still, primarily a capital program, but FTA allows some other activities to be defined as capital projects such as hiring of Mobility Managers and some purchased transportation service. ODOT has traditionally limited this program to just the purchase of vehicles and equipment directly associated with the vehicles such as radios and computers for scheduling/dispatching.

JARC-Section 5316 Connect Welfare recipients and low income to: Existing Program-Job Access Connect Welfare recipients and low income to: Jobs Employment related training including education programs and pre-employment training programs Intent is to provide job and job related transportation to welfare recipients and low income individuals. Job related transportation can include training, post secondary educations, Adult Basic ed programs, licensing activities, job search activities – anything that will help someone get and keep a job.

JARC-Section 5316 Funding Directly to large urbanized areas (over 200,000 in population) To ODOT for Rural and Small Urban Areas (under 200,000 in population) From Discretionary to Formula; based on low income population in UZA Large urbanized areas have their own allocation Small Urban and rural allocation goes to the state O.R.C. designates ODOT To clarify: For Large urban areas (over 200,000 in population) the designated recipients must be determined by local entities and then the Governor must make the designation using the Section 5307 process. For small urban areas (50,000 to 199,999) and Rural (under 50,000) the state is automatically the designated recipient.

JARC-Section 5316… Operating 50/50 (Federal/Local) Capital 80/20 (Federal/Local) Planning 80/20 (Federal/Local) This is the match requirements. Project specific planning is an eligible cost for a JARC program.

JARC-Section 5316 Federal Requirements Projects must be derived from a “Locally Developed Coordinated Plan” Procurement Drug & Alcohol Testing Department Of Labor Reporting We will spend more time on the plan later in the presentation since the primary intent is to discuss the plan and answer questions about getting a plan done. I am listing the information on they types of federal requirments associated with the JARC program but they are not something to be concerned about unless you expect to have a plan completed and adopted by April 30, 2008 which is the deadline for applications for this program.

Ohio JARC-Section 5316 Who Can Apply Public Entities providing Public Transit service Private non-profit designated by public to provide Public Transit service Public entities who are recipients of Ohio Coordination Program Mention that this is how the OHIO program for small urban and rural areas is configured

New Freedom-Section 5317 New Program - Beyond ADA Requirements Targeted toward people with disabilities Program intent: Improve public transit service Provide transportation alternatives Remove barriers

New Freedom-Section 5317 Funding Directly to large urban areas (over 200,000 in population) To ODOT for Rural and Small Urban Areas (under 200,000 in population) Operating 50/50 (Federal/Local) Capital 80/20 (Federal/Local)

New Freedom-Section 5317 Federal Requirements Projects must be derived from a “Locally Developed Coordinated Plan” Procurement Drug & Alcohol Testing Reporting Same as JARC for designated recipients

Specialized Transportation Program- Section 5310 Existing Program to provide services to: Elderly and people with disabilities: Vehicle Acquisition Equipment There may be some changes to this program for next year including additional eligible activities.

Specialized Transportation Program- Section 5310 Program Requirements Projects must be derived from a “Locally Developed Coordinated Plan” Projects must be competitively selected

Specialized Transportation Program- Section 5310 Funding Administered by the State (ODOT) Capital only - 80/20 (Federal/Local) Currently Exploring Revisions to the Program to allow more Flexibility All of this program is administered by the state with much assistance from most of the Metropolitan Planning organizations in urban areas.

Section 5310 – Specialized Transportation Program Who Can Apply for funding in Ohio Private non-profit organizations Public entities in areas: Without non-profit organizations available to provide service Lead in Ohio Coordination Program project

Federal Requirements Section 5310, 5316 & 5317 applications “derived from a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan”. Designated Recipients will have to certify that the plan was “developed through a process that includes representatives of public, private and nonprofit transportation and human services providers and participation by the public”.

What are the REQUIRED elements of the Plan? There are four outlined in the federal circular Assessment of available services that identifies current transportation providers Assessment of current transportation needs for persons with disabilities, older adults and people with low incomes

What are the REQUIRED elements of the Plan? (Con’t) Strategies, activities, and/or projects to address the identified gaps between current services and needs, as well as opportunities to improve efficiencies in service delivery Priorities for implementation based on resources

What are the REQUIRED elements of the Plan? (Con’t) “Plans must be developed in good faith in coordination with appropriate planning partners and with opportunities for public participation.” (Page V-2, FTA C 9070.1F, 5/1/2007) “The lead agency, in consultation with participants, should identify the process for adoption of the plan.” (Page V-7, FTA C 9070.1F, 5/1/2007) The plan should be updated through a regular update cycle, as identified in the Plan.

Tools and Strategies Community Planning Session Self Assessment Tool –Framework For Action Focus Groups Survey Detailed Study and Analysis Community may choose to conduct a lcoal planning session or sessions with a diverse group of stakeholders. This session would identify needs based on personal and professional experiences, identify strategies to address the needs and set priorities based on time, resources and feasibility for implementation. Helpful to have a facilitator. Could be conducted in conjunction with applicable mpo process. FFA also has a facilitators guide to move the group through the planning process after the assessments are completed and compiled Focus group could be used but must assure folks are including the broad cross section of stakeholders in the community and going through the entire assessment and identification process required. Survey design would also need to be sent to the broader group representative of the groups that are supposed to be involved. Accessibility would have to be taken into consideration when designing and disseminating the survey Local resources and inventories could be done through a thorough study of GIS mapping, through interviews and other research strategies. Time and funding are a consideration in doing this type of plan.

Who are the Transportation Stakeholders? Area transportation planning agencies Public transportation providers Private transportation providers Non profit transportation providers Past or current organizations funded under the JARC or Section 5310 program Passengers and advocates Human service partners Others-Anyone interested in Transportation for Target Populations Passengers and advocates would include transportation advisory commitees and other representatives from advocacy groups that work on behalf of a targeted group Human service partners could include agencies that administer health programs, social service programs, employment one stops programs, medicaid, community action agencies, agencies on aging, DD councils, community service boards, etc. Others that could be identified would include security and emergency management agencies; economic development agencies; faith based and community based orgs, business reps like chambers of commerce, school districts, elected officials and policy analysts.

How Can You Develop a Plan? Rural Areas, contact your county commissioners to be designated as the lead agency. Contact ODOT staff for specific assistance and technical assistance ODOT will assist with Plan Kickoff Presentations Contact information for all of the above is on the ODOT website: www.dot.state.oh.us/ptrans

Why Participate? Advantages You represent your customer base, public transit or human service provider, in their quest for mobility choices Will assure that JARC, New Freedom and 5310 funds are used for meeting the particular and unique needs of the residents of your community. Resources are limited for everyone and increasing efficiency through coordination makes sense.

Other Information For Rural Counties, if the county commissioners are unaware and there is no local transit system or Ohio Coordination Project – contact ODOT Some Rural Counties are either in an MPO urbanized area or are being included for the purposes of this plan.

Resources www.dot.fta.gov www.dot.state.oh.us/ptrans www.unitedweride.gov www.ctaa.org Other resources also available on the hand out.

Questions