Implementing the New Section 5310 Program Individuals with Disabilities February 2014 1 Agenda Program Purpose Apportionment & Available Funding Eligible Projects Eligible Recipients and Subrecipients Role of the Designated Recipient Program Requirements (Coordinated Plan, PMP/SMP, POP) Other Provisions Next Steps Technical Assistance Resources Q&As 2 1
Program Purpose Enhance mobility for seniors and persons with disabilities by providing funds for programs to serve the special needs of transit-dependent populations beyond traditional public transportation services and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complementary paratransit services. 3 Apportionment & Available Funding Apportioned to areas based on number of seniors and individuals with disabilities The number of seniors and individuals with disabilities in each area in relationship to the number of seniors and individuals with disabilities in all such areas. Allocation of Funds: 60% to designated recipients in large urbanized areas (urbanized areas over 200,000 in population) 20% to States for small urbanized areas (urbanized areas under 200,000 in population) 20% to States for rural areas (areas under 50,000 in population) 4 2
Apportionment & Available Funding Table 8: FY 2013 Apportionment (less oversight) UZAs 200,000 or more in population $154,151,419 UZAs 50,000 199,999 in population 51,383,807 Rural 51,383,807 National Total $256,919,033 http://www.fta.dot.gov/apportionments FY 2014 Apportionment National Total $257,464,692 5 Eligible Projects 1. Public transportation projects planned, designed, and carried out to meet the special needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities when public transportation is insufficient, inappropriate, or unavailable* 2. Public transportation projects that exceed the requirements of ADA 3. Public transportation projects that improve access to fixed route service and decrease reliance on complementary paratransit 4. Alternatives to public transportation projects that assist seniors and individuals with disabilities with transportation * SAFETEA-LU Eligibility / Traditional 5310 Projects 6 3
Eligible Projects 1. Public transportation projects planned, designed, and carried out to meet the special needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities when public transportation is insufficient, inappropriate, or unavailable Rolling stock: Replacement or expansion of buses, and vans Vehicle rehabilitation or overhaul Preventive maintenance, as defined in the NTD Vehicle wheelchair lifts, ramps, and securement devices Vehicle shelters Computer hardware and software Transit related ITS Dispatch systems Mobility management programs 7 Eligible Projects 2. Public transportation projects that exceed the requirements of ADA Expansion of paratransit service beyond the ¾ mile requirement Expansion of current hours of operation for ADA paratransit Incremental cost of providing same day service Incremental cost of providing door-to-door service Acquisition of vehicles and equipment designed to accommodate mobility aids that exceed the dimensions and weight ratings for wheelchairs 8 4
Eligible Projects 3. Public transportation projects that improve access to fixed route service and decrease reliance on complementary paratransit Feeder service to commuter rail, commuter bus, intercity rail, and intercity bus stations, for which complementary paratransit service is not required under the ADA Building an accessible path to a bus stop including curb-cuts, sidewalks, accessible pedestrian signals or other accessible features Improving signage, or way-finding technology Implementation of other technology improvements that enhance accessibility including ITS 9 Eligible Projects 4. Alternatives to public transportation projects that assist seniors and individuals with disabilities with transportation Volunteer driver and aide programs Purchasing vehicles to support new accessible taxi, rides sharing and/or vanpooling programs Supporting the administration and expenses related to new voucher programs for transportation services offered by human service providers 10 5
Eligible Projects Capital, Operating, Admin At least 55 percent must be used on capital, public transportation projects planned, designed, and carried out to meet the special needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities when public transportation is insufficient, inappropriate, or unavailable ( Traditional 5310 Projects) At most, 45 percent can be spent for other eligible purposes, including capital and operating expenses and New-Freedom-type projects At most, 10 percent is allowed for Program Administration 11 Eligible Recipients & Subrecipients s Designated Recipient or a State receiving a grant directly States for all UZAs and rural areas under 200,000 in population Will require new designations in large UZAs Subrecipients states or local government authorities, private non-profit organizations, or operators of public transportation that receive a grant indirectly through a recipient. Limited for the Traditional 5310 Projects 12 6
Eligible Subrecipients Eligible Subrecipients for Traditional 5310 Projects Private Non-profit Organizations OR State or local governmental authority that: Is approved by the State to coordinate services Certifies that no non-profit organizations are available to provide the service Eligible Subrecipients Other Sec. 5310 Projects State or local governmental authority Private non-profit organizations * Proposed that these entities must carry out the traditional 5310 projects to qualify towards the 55% Operator of public transportation that receives Section 5310 funds indirectly through a recipient 13 Designated Recipients Governors Must Designate a Public Entity Small UZA and Rural Areas State Agency o No new designations needed, unless changing State agency Large UZA Options designation letter required 1. Same DR as Section 5307 2. SAFETEA-LU Section 5317 DR 3. MPO 4. State 5. Another Public Agency 6. Multiple DRs Notify FTA of Split Apportionment 14 7
Role of Designated Recipients Document the State or Designated Recipient s procedures in a management plan Plan for future transportation needs, and ensure integration and coordination among diverse transportation modes and providers; Develop project selection criteria consistent with the coordinated planning process; Notify eligible local entities of funding availability; Solicit applications from potential subrecipients; determine applicant and project eligibility; Certify that allocations of funds to subrecipients are made on a fair and equitable basis; Submit an annual POP and grant application to FTA; 15 Role of Designated Recipients Ensure subrecipients comply with Federal requirements; Certify that all projects are included in a coordinated plan developed and approved through a process that included participation by seniors, individuals with disabilities, representatives of public, private, and nonprofit transportation and human service providers, and other members of the public; Certify that to the maximum extent feasible, services funded under Section 5310 are coordinated with transportation services assisted by other Federal departments and agencies; Ensure that at least 55 percent of the area s apportionment is used for traditional Section 5310 projects carried out by the eligible subrecipients; Oversee project audit and closeout. 16 8
Program Requirements State/Program Management Plans (SMP/PMP) Coordinated Plan Program of Projects (POP) with grant application 17 State/Program Management Plans Document the procedures in a Management Plan Describes the DR s polices and procedures for administering the Sec. 5310 program. Each DR is required to have an approved SMP/PMP on file with the appropriate regional office and to update it regularly to incorporate any changes in program management or new requirements. The DR shall provide an opportunity for review by stakeholders when it develops a new plan or significantly revises an existing plan. Certain contents of the PMP, such as the project selection criteria, should be coordinated with the statewide transportation plan. All public documents developed under a grant must be prepared and submitted in electronic format. Approved by FTA 18 9
Coordinated Plan Locally developed, coordinated public transithuman service transportation plan Development of Plan o Participation by Seniors and o Representation from Public/Private and Non-profit Trans. Providers o Human Service Trans. Providers Projects must be included in the plan Project selection criteria consistent with the plan 19 Coordinated Plan Required Elements Coordinated Plan 1) An assessment of available services that identifies current transportation providers (public, private, and non-profit) 2) An assessment of transportation needs for individuals with disabilities and seniors 3) Strategies, activities, and/or projects to address the identified gaps between current services and needs 4) Priorities for implementation based on resources, time, and feasibility for implementing specific strategies and/or activities identified 20 10
Program of Projects Program of Projects (POP) 1. Identify Subrecipient 2. Type of Subrecipient 3. Service Areas 4. Project description (corresponding Budget Scopes/ALIs) 5. Quantities 6. Amount (Federal/Local and total) 7. Coordination Plan Page 8. Capital or Operating Expense 9. Administration Expense 10. Projects meeting 55 % Requirement 21 Other Provisions 50 percent match for operating 80 percent match for capital Exceptions: ADA/CAA Vehicles: 85% Federal share Vehicle Equipment/Facilities: 90% Federal share FHWA Sliding Scale Only applies to FHWA Transfers to Section 5310 Program and can only be used for capital Higher Federal Share for 14 States http://www. fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/notices 22 11
Other Provisions Transfer Provisions o From Rural Area or Small UZA to anywhere in the State (including a Large UZA) Requires Statewide Plan o From Rural Area to Small UZA Governor certifies needs are met in Rural Area o Small UZA to Rural Area Governor certifies need are met in Small UZA FHWA Transfers to 5310 o 55 percent requirement does not apply o Capital-only uses of these funds in the program 23 Other Provisions Purchase of Service Capital Expense Mobility Management Capital Expense Depending on the purpose and subrecipient carrying out the MM project, it could qualify towards the 55 percent Private Taxi Shared Ride Service = Subrecipient Exclusive Ride Service = Contractor 24 12
Next Steps 1. Identify Designated Recipients and submit letters to FTA Regional Office; 2. Recipients should update/develop Coordinated Plan 3. Recipients should update/develop State/Program Management Plans; submit to FTA for review/approval 4. Recipients should develop/submit Grant Application with complete Program of Projects; FTA review and approve 25 Technical Assistance Easter Seals Project ACTION Transportation services for people with disabilities ProjectAction.org Projectaction@easterseals.com (800) 659-6428 National Center for Senior Transportation SeniorTransportation.net NCST@easterseals.com (866) 528-NCST 26 13
Technical Assistance National Center for Mobility Management Works with communities to adopt transportation strategies and options to increase mobility Regional Communications Liaisons, local technical assistance, training programs and peer networks http://nationalmobilitymanagementcenter.org 27 Questions? Gilbert.Williams@DOT.GOV (202) 366-0797 28 14