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Community Integration Commission 1www.drpt.virginia.gov

DRPT Initiatives on Transportation Services For Older Adults, People With Disabilities and People With

Lower Incomes In Virginia

Neil ShermanSpecialized Program Manager

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Today’s Agenda

DRPT overview ADA responsibilities Federal programs administered by

DRPT 2008 grant awards Funding program changes Universal Access Program

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Who is DRPT?

40 employees, three offices

Work with over 100 public and private partners to provide project management services, planning support, technical expertise, financial support and program advocacy

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DRPT Three Main Areas of Activity

Rail – Freight rail– Passenger rail

Transit– Public transit systems and services– Special needs transportation

Congestion Management– Ridesharing: carpools, vanpools– Incentive programs for employers– Telework

• Funding Support• Advocacy• Planning an technical support

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DRPT’s ADA Responsibilities

Technical assistance/planning

Site reviews Training State vehicle procurement

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Transportation Related Concerns

should be reported to: 1. Local operator

2. Logisticare (if Medicaid funded)

3. DMAS (if Medicaid funded)

4. VA Office of Protection and Advocacy

5. DRPT

6. Federal Transportation Administration

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Federal SAFETEA-LU Programs Administered by DRPT for

Special Needs:

5310 program: Provides capital funding for transportation services for elderly persons and persons with disabilities.

New Freedom Program: Provides new program funding for transportation services that go beyond the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC): Provides funds for transportation services for low income workers.

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Section 5310 program

An impetus for improvements in transportation options for elderly and people with disabilities since 1983

Funds are distributed, in part, based on size of population

Federal share 80 percent; Applicant 20 percent Eligible applicants include:

– Non-profit corporations/associations– Approved public bodies– Public bodies where no non-profit is available– Application period: November 1 to February 1

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New Freedom Program Program designed to support and enhance

transportation for people with disabilities beyond the ADA

Operating match 50-50 percent Capital/Planning match 80-20 percent May be used to expand demand-response

services and travel training 2008 Application period: November 1 to

February 1

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Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC)

Targeted for individuals with lower incomes

Access to and from employment/related activities

Operating match 50-50 percent Capital/Planning match 80-20 percent Application Period: November 1- to

February 1

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2008 Section 5310 Awards

47 applications were submitted to DRPT this year for a total of $5,336,000 in requests.

In FY09, DRTP is awarding 43 recipients 77 vehicles in the amount of $3,134,000.

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2008 New Freedom Awards

Seven Projects funded ($690,000 awarded):– Bay Transit ($65,600)-Mobility Manager to

coordinate transportation for people with disabilities across counties.

– District Three Public Transit ($151,020)-to provide transit services in Mount Rogers PDC to regional health care facilities (I-81 and I-77).

– JAUNT ($66,488)-work with human service agencies in the Thomas Jefferson PDC to use resources more effectively.

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2008 New Freedom AwardsCont’d

– Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission($66,625)-for a one-stop transportation center for Culpeper Connector and all human service agencies.

– Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging (95,200)-to schedule and direct trips for people with disabilities in Caroline County to multiple providers.

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2008 New Freedom AwardsCont’d

– Shenandoah Agency on Aging ($95,200)-New door-to-door services for people with disabilities for multiple counties.

– Unified Human Services Transportation System ($150,000) to expand the hours of service for Roanoke County’s CORTRAN demand response service and give more door to door assistance.

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Funding Program Changes

New federal requirements

Additional New Freedom Grant opportunity

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New Federal SAFETEA-LU Requirements

Any region interested in accessing the federal transportation programs administered by DRPT must have a “locally developed coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan.”

Also requires a State Plan

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Coordinated Human Service Plans

DRPT provided technical assistance to 20 rural and small urban areas to develop Coordinated Human Service Mobility Plans.

Utilized a bottom up approach (i.e., All plans developed by local “representatives of public, private and non-profit transportation and human service providers and participation by members of the public).”

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Human Service Transportation Workshops

Spring 2007, 11 workshops to educate on new federal requirements and to assist in regional needs and gaps assessment.

Fall 2007, 13 workshops to develop region-specific strategies to address gaps (20 plans drafted).

May/June 2008, 14 regional sessions to obtain final approval on the plans before promulgation to public/state/local entities

– 20 local plans finalized - see http://www.kfhgroup.com/drpt-chsmplans.htm

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Coordinated State Plan

DRPT’s efforts to meet Coordinated State Plan Requirements include: – State Agency Coordination Council – Memorandum of Understanding signed by the

Secretaries of Transportation and Health and Human Resources

– Agency by Agency analyses of transportation polices, rules and regulations and committed resources

– State Agency Council recommendations for Final Coordinated State Plan (August 2008)

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New Freedom Grant Opportunity

Summer 2008

– Five percent local match required

– $2 million in federal and state funds available

– Application period from June 16 to August 15

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Universal Access Program

The 2007 Virginia General Assembly directed DRPT to develop a universal access program for public paratransit riders by June 30, 2008.

Achieves a desired outcome for the Olmstead/Community Integration Commission.

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Universal Access Program

Currently, eligible persons have to qualify for each local system.

Effective June 30, 2008, DRPT will transfer eligibility to all Virginia transit systems.

Senior Navigator

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Summary of Upcoming Milestones

Regional Coordinated Human Service Plans Drafted: June 08

New Freedom Applications Accepted: Summer 08

Universal Access Program Implemented: June 08

Coordinated State Plan Completed: August 08

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For more information, contact:

Neil I. Sherman

Specialized Program Manager

Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation

(804) 786-1154

Neil.Sherman@drpt.virginia.gov