Transporting Students with Disabilities and Preschoolers Conference 2015

“My goal is to help you improve your Transportation Procedures”

By the end of this session, you will be able to: - Explain the 5-year grant cycle and reviewer’s expectations - Review HSPS Regulations - Walk away with a written plan to improve your Transportation Services!

Brief Overview 45 CFR 1310 – Head Start Transportation

General Requirements - Assist as many families as possible - Provide reasonable assistance (when NOT providing Transportation) - Public transportation options? - School districts, etc.

Bus Equipment - Communication System for Emergencies - Safety Equipment – Fire Extinguisher & Label - First Aid Kit & Label - Seat belt cutter & Label - Child Safety Restraint Systems (CSRs) - Emergency Exits maintained and inspected

Accident Reporting - - Must meet applicable State requirements

Safe Child Release - Release to parent, legal guardian, or approved adult - Lists of person, alternates, etc. - Ensure no child is left behind or on bus!!

Allowable Alternate Vehicles – - Equipped with appropriate CSRs - Include reverse beeper Passenger Vans approved for use?

Vehicle Maintenance – Procedures for: - Annual state inspection - Preventative Maintenance - Daily Pre-Trips

Vehicle Operation – - Items inside passenger compartment are properly secured - Vehicle has at least one (1) Bus Monitor on board

Driver Qualifications - Valid CDL (where required) - Physically and mentally able to perform - Acceptable hiring practices

Driver Training Completed prior to transporting children Combination of Classroom and Behind the Wheel (BTW)

IDC Transportation Preservice

Speeding Tailgating Rolling Stops Aggressive Behaviors Hard Braking

Monitor to step off the bus and assist child when entering or exiting the bus.

-Locate stops to minimize -If unable to eliminate same side pickup, children MUST be escorted by an adult

CFR (b)(3) Vehicles must NOT be required to back up or make “U” Turns, except when necessary for reasons of safety or because of physical barriers

IDC Transportation Refresher To limit exposure to hazardous conditions, reduce traveling into locations that are potentially unsafe or require backing up: -By Canals -Apartment Complexes -Trailer Parks -Dead Ends/Dirt Roads

IDC Transportation Refresher -Less than 1 hour (except rural areas -Emergency Route POSTED on bus -Procedures for Alternate routes

IDC Transportation Refresher

Recommend at least one adult on the bus able to speak English to communicate with First Responders

IDC Transportation Preservice

IDC Transportation Refresher All buses must have required emergency equipment secured on the bus: a.First Aid Kit – stocked b.Body Fluid emergency clean up kit c.Fire Extinguisher d.CPR/First Aid Posters e.Warning Triangles f.Emergency Phone Numbers g.Emergency blankets h.Seat Belt cutter

IDC Transportation Refresher -BESI Pro-Tech III -Infant CSR (Rear) -Toddler CSR (Front) -Non-expired -Installed correctly -Age appropriate

IDC Transportation Refresher -1 Bus – train as needed

IDC Transportation Preservice

IDC Transportation Refresher

Double-check System, both Monitor AND Driver must complete a post-trip walk through to ensure no child is left behind!!

IDC Transportation Refresher -Oil changes -Fluid/system flushes (ATF, PS, PB, Coolant, etc.) -Tires/Alignments -Light replacement

IDC Transportation Preservice

IDC Transportation Refresher 1.Required current documentation: a. Vehicle Registration b.Insurance c.Alternate Emergency Route d.Alternate bus route e.Health history & emergency info for Passengers (Bus Cards) f.Latest WA State Patrol Inspection Report g.Latest Fire Evacuation Drill Report

IDC Transportation Refresher Initial and regular Health Exams - TB Screens

IDC Transportation Refresher Required for Drivers annually

Bus Monitor Training Completed prior to transporting children - Child boarding/exiting - CSRs - Emergencies/evacuations - Pick up/release procedures - Pre and Post-Trip Inspections

Safety Education - Pedestrian Safety for Children - Safe riding practices - Boarding and exiting vehicle - Street crossing - Danger zones around vehicle - Emergency evacuations - at least 2 per yr

Safety Education - Pedestrian Safety for Parents - Escorting children - Training reinforcement

Children with Disabilities - Available vehicles to transport enrolled children - Meets ADA Requirements - IEP Designates special requirements

Coordinated Transportation - Make effort to coordinate with other agencies - Identify true cost of transportation - Explore option of coordinated Transportation systems

Implementing in the Real World?

- Group Discussion 1. What are some challenges we face in meeting regulations in the field? 2. How do we currently handle these challenges?

Implementing in the Real World? - Group Discussion Solutions?

New 5-Year Grant Cycle (HISKI) Going beyond just the “regulations”

Exceeding regulations - Group Discussion 1. How can we EXCEED current regulations without busting the budget?

IDC Transportation Preservice -QUESTIONS? -THANK YOU!