National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board Approval of Project Recommendations for Funding Under Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom Programs Item 7 June 20, 2012 1

Background

• TPB Designated

Recipient in 2006

– JARC – New Freedom • Project Selection/

Administration

– Evaluation criteria – Selection committee – Ongoing funding / administration • Task Force

Membership

• • • • • Public transit agencies DOTs Private and nonprofit providers Human service agencies Consumers 2

Projects Funded to Date

• JARC – 25 projects – $5.3 million in Federal funds – $9 million total • New Freedom – 24 projects – $4.5 million in Federal funds – $6.3 million total • One joint JARC and New Freedom

project (WMATA) (travel training)

– $987,000 in Federal funds ($1.2 million total) (70% JARC; 30% New Freedom) 3

Types of Projects

• Breakdown of 50 projects funded from 2007 – 2011 5 Travel Training 12 Enhanced Access to Fixed Route Services 8 Vouchers 8 Fixed Route / Demand Response 6 Car Loans 5 Accessible Cabs 6 Planning / Promotional Activities Planning / Promotional $1,393,084 Travel Training $2,078,604 Accessible Cabs $1,591,658 Car Loans $2,016,378 Fixed Route/ Demand Response $2,850,229 Enhanced Access $6,091,664 Vouchers $1,083,712 4

JARC and New Freedom Projects Funded to Date • Percent of Projects by Recipient

Agency Type

2007 through 2010

5

2011 Program Assessment • Purpose

• • • Review program administration and oversight (TPB role) Designated Recipient peer review and comparison Assess data from 35 grants funded between 2007 and 2010

• Conducted by Nelson/Nygaard

• • Interviewed grantees, customers and Task Force Reviewed FTA-required reports from grantees 6

Assessment Recommendations

• Final report presented to TPB in January 2012 • Offer project templates as resources to prepare applications • Rotate selection committee members more often • After 2012, solicit for grants every 2 years • Refresh Task Force membership • Strengthen performance measurements / monitoring • Provide opportunities for grantee exchange on lessons learned 7

Recommendations Incorporated into 2012 Solicitation

• Recommendations incorporated into solicitation • • • Use of project templates / other resources Application changes - report on previous grant outcomes and performance - Resources on how to refine estimated number of people to be served - More detailed milestones Selection committee rotation 8

2012 Solicitation Details

• Solicitation Details   February 16 through April 11  Funding amounts JARC: $2.1 million  New Freedom: $1.5 million  Local match required (20% capital; 50% operating) •

Outreach

  1,700 organizations received brochure  Three pre-application conferences 1 in MD, 1 in VA, 1 in DC 9

Solicitation Priorities

• Priorities developed by HSTC Task

Force for the 2012 Solicitation

     Rideshare or Vanpool Activities Low Interest Car Loan Programs Travel Training Door Through Door Service Volunteer Driver Programs 10

Solicitation Outcomes • 18 applications received

– 3 in DC – 4 regional – 5 in Suburban MD – 6 in Northern VA • Twice as much money requested

as was available in the solicitation

11

Selection Process

• Selection Committee • Chaired by Patrick Wojahn • Applications scored using selection criteria established in Coordinated Plan • 2 meetings in April/May • 5 members from national and local agencies • Disability issues • • • Workforce Development Public Transit Private Providers • Funding

recommendations

• • • Nine projects recommended for funding Suggestions for improvement for applications not selected Applicants can request debrief 12

Recommended JARC Projects

a. Skill Source Group Road to Employment Project    Funding for vehicle purchase Provide transportation to and from job sites for low income individuals re-entering community after incarceration Will operate in Fairfax County Recommended Funding JARC Funds Required Match Total Project $40,000 $10,000 $50,000 13

Recommended JARC Projects

b. Northern Virginia Family Service Vehicles for Change Program    Provides vehicles to low-income families for a program fee Benefits working families with limited access to transit Will operate throughout Northern Virginia Recommended Funding JARC Funds Required Match Total Project $ 999,044 $ 370,415 $1,369,459 14

Recommended JARC Projects

c. Year Up National Capital Region    Training program for low-income adults, 18-24, to receive skill development, internships, college credits Funding will support vehicle for ridesharing, mileage reimbursement, and taxi vouchers Will operate throughout DC, Suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia Recommended Funding JARC Funds Required Match Total Project $157,682 $116,082 $273,764 15

Recommended JARC Projects

d. Boat People SOS RISE Employment Project    Employment preparation for Vietnamese immigrants and refugees Includes taxi vouchers for job access after placement Operates throughout Northern Virginia Recommended Funding JARC Funds Required Match Total Project $256,620 $125,324 $381,944 16

Recommended New Freedom Projects

a. Jewish Council for the Aging    Funding to support a coordinated volunteer transportation program Operates in five aging-in-place communities in Montgomery County Matches volunteer drivers with seniors who need transportation Recommended Funding New Freedom Funds $219,032 Required Match $ 54,759 Total Project $273,791 17

Recommended New Freedom Projects

b. Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind    Support for travel training for low-vision or blind individuals and Orientation & Mobility Specialist internship program Development of audio map project in partnership with WMATA Recorded, downloadable maps will describe physical features and layout of Metrorail stations and Metrobus transit centers Recommended Funding New Freedom Funds $442,324 Required Match $110,581 Total Project $552,905 18

Recommended New Freedom Projects

c. Yellow Cab of DC    Expansion of rollDC wheelchair accessible taxicab pilot project Funding for purchase of seven additional vehicles and operating funds Matched with a grant from D.C. Council Recommended Funding New Freedom Funds $398,120 Required Match $208,340 Total Project $606,460 19

Recommended New Freedom Projects

d. Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind   Continued support for transportation program for blind/low-vision youth Transportation to recreational, community integration and career programs Recommended Funding New Freedom Funds $ 66,500 Required Match $ 66,500 Total Project $133,000 20

Recommended New Freedom Projects

e. The Arc of Northern Virginia • Funding to develop a Train the Travel Trainer curriculum • For individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities • Partnership with schools and other agencies to expand training capacity Recommended Funding New Freedom Funds $194,505 Required Match $ 50,800 Total Project $245,305 21

Status of Funds

• If projects are approved

Program JARC Funds $1,439,346 Million Obligated $751,258 Reserved for 2014 Solicitation New Freedom $1,320,482 Million Obligated $256,078 Reserved for 2014 Solicitation

22

Next Steps

• 2014 Solicitation     Biennial solicitation process – Assessment recommendation Funding for the 2014 solicitation  Any carryover from 2012 solicitation  Additional funding contingent on reauthorization of surface transportation bill Priorities established by Task Force Reauthorization may change program structure and requirements 23