Job Access and Reverse Commutenew FREEDOM(JARC) PROGRAM

NEW FREEDOM FUNDING APPLICATION 2009

Job Access and Reverse CommuteNEW FREEDOM(JARC) PROGRAM

Introduction

The Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) program has had a dramatic impact on the lives of thousands of welfare recipients and low-income families, helping individuals successfully transition from welfare to work and reach needed employment support services such as childcare and job training activities. JARC was established as part of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) to address the unique transportation challenges faced by welfare recipients and low-income persons seeking to get and keep jobs. With many new entry-level jobs located in suburban areas, low income and/or welfare recipients have found it difficult to access these jobs from their inner city, urban and rural neighborhoods on a daily basis. Further, many entry-level jobs require working late at night or on weekends when conventional transit services in many communities are either reduced or non-existent. Finally, many employment-related trips are complex for low-income persons, often involving multiple destinations, including reaching childcare facilities and other services as part of the work trip. Section 3037 of TEA-21 required that JARC project selection be made through a national competition based on statutorily specified criteria. FTA conducted competitions and selected projects for funding.

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA-LU) of 2005 reauthorized federal transportation funding programs through Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2009. Under the SAFETEA-LU legislation the JARC program provides formula funding to support the development and maintenance of Job Access and Reverse Commute projects designed to transport welfare recipients and eligible low-income individuals to and from jobs and activities related to their employment. The amount of available FFY 2007/2008 JARC funds to program includes funding from FFY05/06, 06/07, 07/08 and 08/09. Over the full authorized 4-year program, over $1.1 M in federal funds are allocated to the two urbanized areas in the Capital District as shown below. The total program size will be determined by the type of projects, because operating subsidy projects have a higher match ratio (50/50) than capital projects (80/20). The table shows the range of possible program size – a mixture of capital and operating projects would provide a total program somewhere between $1.4 and created a new funding program, called New Freedom, to encourage services and facility improvements to address the transportation needs of persons with disabilities that go beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The features of the New Freedom Program are:

Funds are allocated through a formula based upon population of persons with disabilities.

Allocations go togo to designated recipients in areas over 200,000, to States for areas under 200,000 and non-urbanized areas; States may transfer funds to urbanized or non-urbanized area programs as long as funds are used for New Freedom Program purposes.
States and designated recipients must select grantees competitively.
Matching share requirements are flexible to encourage coordination with other federal programs that may provide transportation, such as Health and Human Services or Agriculture.
Projects must be included in or consistent with the locally-developed human service transportation coordinated plan
10 percent of funds may be used for planning, administration and technical assistance.

$2.3M.apportionment for the Capital District is $272,000.

The New Freedom Program grew out of the New Freedom Initiative introduced by the Administration under Executive Order 13217, “Community-Based Alternatives for Individuals with Disabilities,” on June 18, 2001. The Order states: “The United States is committed to community-based alternatives for individuals with disabilities and recognizes that such services advance the best interests of the United States” and calls upon the Federal government to assist States and localities to swiftly implement the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Olmstead v. L.C.

Individuals who are transportation-disadvantaged face different challenges in accessing services depending on whether they live in urban, rural, or suburban areas. The geographic dispersion of transportation-disadvantaged populations also creates challenges for human service programs hoping to deliver transportation for their passengers.

Over the years, in response to these challenges, Federal, State and local governments, and community-based organizations created specialized programs to meet particular transportation needs. At the Federal level alone, there are at least 62 separate programs, administered by eight Federal departments, and even more agencies, that provide special transportation services to individuals with disabilities, older adults, and people with low incomes. Most of these are human service programs that fund limited transportation services to provide eligible participants with access to particular services, such as job training, health care, senior centers, or rehabilitation programs.

The President has included funds for the New Freedom Program in the annual budget request to Congress since FY 2003; however, it was not until the enactment of SAFETEA–LU that funding was authorized by Congress. Funding was first appropriated for the transportation provision in FY 2006. The New Freedom Program is intended to fill the gaps between human service and public transportation services previously available and to facilitate the integration of individuals with disabilities into the workforce and full participation in the community. The New Freedom formula grant program seeks to reduce barriers to transportation services and expand the transportation mobility options available to people with disabilities beyond the requirements of the ADA of 1990.

The designated recipient of New Freedom funds in urbanized areas over 200,000 in population has the principal authority and responsibility for administering the New Freedom Program. In the Capital District, the “designated recipient” is the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA). The designated recipient is responsible for conducting the competitive selection process Iin cooperation with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which is the Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC), the designated recipient (CDTA) is responsible for conducting the competitive selection process and awarding grants to subrecipients.

CDTA’s and CDTC’s responsibuilituies include:

notifying eligible local entities of funding availability;
developing project selection criteria;
determining applicant eligibility;
conducting the competitive selection process
forwarding an annual program of projects (POP) and grant application to FTA;
ensuring that all subrecipients comply with Federal requirements;
documenting the the State’s or designated recipient’s procedures in a State Management Plan or a Program Management Plan as appropriate;
certifying that allocations of grants to subrecipients are distributed on a fair and equitable basis; and
certifying that all projects are derived from a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan developed through a process that consists of representatives of public, private, and non-profit transportation and human services providers with participation by the public.

The New Freedom formula grant program seeks to reduce barriers to transportation services and expand the transportation mobility options available to people with disabilities beyond the requirements of the ADA of 1990.

SAFETEA-LU requires that projects funded from the Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) Program be derived from a locally developed coordinated public transit human services transportation plan (“coordinated plan”). A coordinated plan is required to maximize the programs’ collective coverage by minimizing duplication of services.

The Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC) ,is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady Counties. CDTC,, with the aid of the Regional Transportation Coordination Committee, has developed the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan (CPTHTS) for the Capital District. This plan outlines a vision for improving mobility options for the disabled, aging, and low-income population subgroups living in the region, based on identified needs, gaps and barriers. Selection criteria for this solicitation were developed from the Coordinated Plan and will be used to prioritize project submissions. Those projects that directly address the identified needs, gaps, and barriers in the plan and serve people with disabilities will receive the highest priority for funding. The coordinated plan can be viewed or downloaded from CDTC’s website at

Up to $260180210,000 in New Freedom funds is available for programming under this solicitation (see Table below). The Saratoga Springs urbanized area receives a separate allocation (~$23,000/year) under the New Freedom program, but is covered by the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the Capital District and is part of this solicitation. (the Saratoga Springs Urban Area is part of planning area covered by CDTC, the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Capital District).

Proposed projects under the New Freedom solicitation, therefore, can be for entire region, using all funds available, or can be tailored to each of the two urbanized areas, as long as the projects are consistent with the locally developed coordinated plan. There is no cap per project submission (beyond the total amount available for the program); however, the evaluation committee reserves the right to approve components of project submissions to ensure that all of the projects funded are the best mix (in terms of meeting goals and objectives of the program) and to ensure cost effectiveness.

CAPITAL DISTRICT SAFETEA-LU NEW FREEDOM ALLOCATIONSFUNDS AVAILABLE

Federal funds only
FFY06 / FFY07 / FFY08 / FFY09 / Total ’06-‘09
Albany-Schenectady-Troy / $230,400 / $243,200 / $279,650 / $277,600 / $1,030,850
Saratoga / $28,000 / $28,800 / $31,200 / $32,800 / $120,800
Total / $258,400 / $272,000 / $310,850 / $310,400 / $1,151,650
Program Amount if all Capital projects (80/20)
FFY06 / FFY07 / FFY08 / FFY09 / Total ’06-‘09
Albany-Schenectady-Troy / $288,000 / $304,000 / $349,563 / $347,000 / $1,288,563
Saratoga / $35,000 / $36,000 / $39,000 / $41,000 / $151,000
Total / $323,000 / $340,000 / $388,563 / $388,000 / $1,439,563
Program Amount if all Operating projects (50/50)
FFY06 / FFY07 / FFY08 / FFY09 / Total ’06-‘09
Albany-Schenectady-Troy / $460,800 / $486,400 / $559,300 / $555,200 / $2,061,700
Saratoga / $56,000 / $57,600 / $62,400 / $65,600 / $241,600
Total / $516,800 / $544,000 / $621,700 / $620,800 / $2,303,300

and serve people with disabilities 29Sentence or paragraph about Cap District vs Saratoga SpringsArp

Note: A range of funding amounts is shown because one project submitted in response to the 2008 New Freedom solicitation is under review by FTA for eligibility. This project received a high evaluation score by the New Freedom project evaluation team and will be funded if FTA approves the project’s eligibility. If this project is deemed ineligible, that funding would become available for other potential projects.
for this solicitation was

CAPITAL DISTRICT SAFETEA-LU JARC ALLOCATIONS
Federal funds only
FFY06 / FFY07 / FFY08 / FFY09
Albany-Schenectady-Troy / $230,400 / $243,200 / $279,650 / $277,600 / $1,030,850
Saratoga / $28,000 / $28,800 / $31,200 / $32,800 / $120,800
Total / $258,400 / $272,000 / $310,850 / $310,400 / $1,151,650
Program Amount if all Capital projects (80/20)
FFY06 / FFY07 / FFY08 / FFY09
Albany-Schenectady-Troy / $288,000 / $304,000 / $349,563 / $347,000 / $1,288,563
Saratoga / $35,000 / $36,000 / $39,000 / $41,000 / $151,000
Total / $323,000 / $340,000 / $388,563 / $388,000 / $1,439,563
Program Amount if all Operating projects (50/50)
FFY06 / FFY07 / FFY08 / FFY09
Albany-Schenectady-Troy / $460,800 / $486,400 / $559,300 / $555,200 / $2,061,700
Saratoga / $56,000 / $57,600 / $62,400 / $65,600 / $241,600
Total / $516,800 / $544,000 / $621,700 / $620,800 / $2,303,300

developed from the Coordinated

The Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC), the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady Counties, with the aid of the Regional Transportation Coordination Committee, has developed the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan (CPTHTS) for the Capital District. This plan outlines a vision for improving mobility options for the disabled, aging, and low-income population subgroups living in the region, based on identified needs, gaps and barriers. Selection criteria were developed from the coordinated pPlan and will be used to prioritize project submissions. Those projects that directly address the identified needs, gaps, and barriers in the plan will receive the highest priority for funding. The coordinated plan can be viewed or downloaded from CDTC’s website at

DEADLINES FOR APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Applications for JARC New fFreedom funding must be submitted to the address below no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time FridayFriday, July 27OctoberNovemberDecemberMay 715299, 20072009. Applications received after that date and time will not be considered.

Six paper applications (original and five copies) must be submitted to the CDTC by July 27October 26November 9December 7May 1529, 2009, 2007. If your project is approved, CDTC willwillnot acceptrequire a copy of the electronic application in electronic formats. CDTC and a sub-committee of the RTCC will review, score and rank the applications, and then forward the information to the CDTC Policy Committee for approval. . Following approval by the CDTC’s Policy Planning Committee the selected projects will be sent to the CDTA to include in a grant application to the FTA for funding. Applications should be submitted mailed or delivered to:

Ms.DeborahStacey

CDTC

1 Park Place Main Floor

Albany, NY 12205

The information in this application is a public record. Applicants should not include information that may be regarded as confidential. The applicant will comply with the necessary FTA Certifications and Assurances if awarded for funding.

Disadvantaged, minority and women-owned business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit proposals and there will be no discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, national origin, disability or marital status in the award of the contract or any subcontract.

If selected for funding, the applicant will be required to submit appropriate background Certifications and Assurances, and other documentation necessary to meet the requirements of the FTA’s Urbanized Area Formula Grant Program (Section 5307 program under Title 1, United States Code). Additional FFY 2009 FTA Certifications and Assurances information can be found at:

Reporting requirements under nNew fFreedom can be found at

Sentence about non-discrimination.

PROJECT APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Projects selected for funding under this solicitation must benefit persons with disabilities living and working in the Capital District (Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady countiesand Saratoga county excluding the village of South Glens Falls and the Town of Moreau)counties). If selected for funding, the applicant will be required to submit appropriate background Certifications and Assurances, and other documentation necessary to meet the requirements of the FTA’s Urbanized Area Formula Grant Program (Section 5307 program under Title 1, United States Code).

Additional FFY 2006 2007 FTA Certifications and Assurances information can be found at:

Eligible Applicants:

JARC New Freedom is a formula grant program. Applicants may include private non-profit organizations,local government agencies, tribal governments, social services agencies, private and public transit operators, and non-profit organizations. state or local governmental authorities or operators of public transportation services including private operators of public transportation services The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) is the designated recipient[1] for New FreedomJARC in the Capital District, and is an eligible applicant for these funds. Applicants other than the “designated recipient” for JARC New Freedom must enter to an agreement with the designated recipient for funds as a sub-recipient[2] and must follow all federal reporting and

administrative guidelines (see FTA Circular C9050C9045.1)
which is attached to this solicitation). The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) is the designated recipient for JARC in the Capital District.

Designated Recipient: In large urbanized areas over 200,000 in population, an entity designated, in accordance with the planning process under 49 U.S.C. 5303, 5304, and 5306, by the chief executive officer of a State, responsible local officials, and publicly owned operators of public transportation, to receive and apportion amounts under the JARC program that is attributable to a transportation management area.

Subrecipient: Refers to a State or local governmental authority, non-profit organization, or operator of public transportation services that receives a grant under JARC indirectly through a recipient.

Eligible Use of Program Funds:

New Freedom Program funds are available for capital and operating expenses that support new public transportation services beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and new public transportation alternatives designed to assist individuals with disabilities with accessing transportation services, including transportation to and from jobs and employment support services. For the purpose of the New Freedom Program, “new” service is any service or activity that was not operational on August 10, 2005, and did not have an identified funding source as of August 10, 2005, as evidenced by inclusion in the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) or the STIP.

Eligible projects funded with New Freedom funds may continue to be eligible for New Freedom funding indefinitely as long as the project(s) continue to be part of the coordinated plan.

Both new public transportation services and new public transportation alternatives must (1) be targeted toward individuals with disabilities; and (2) meet the intent of the program by removing barriers to transportation and assisting persons with disabilities with transportation, including transportation to and from jobs and employment services. FTA will interpret eligibility of transit With regard to the requirement of “beyond the minimum requirements of the ADA”.

The Access to Jobs aspect of JARC refers to a project relating to the development and maintenance of transportation services designed to transport welfare recipients and eligible low income individuals to and from jobs and activities related to their employment. The Reverse Commute aspect of JARC refers to a public transportation project designed to transport residents of urbanized areas and other than urbanized areas to suburban employment opportunities. JARC program funds are intended to fund innovative and flexible programs that are designed to meet the transportation needs of individuals with limited incomes. Beginning in FFY 2007, Aall JARC New Freedom projects selected for funding must be derived fromaddress needs and/or gapsthat were identified the Locally Developed Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan (). The Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan for the Capital District recommends (in its Action Plan) that priority be given toJARC New Freedom projects that specifically continue those JARC activities that are currently underway-- trip planners at one-stops, a full-time coordinator (coordinates trip planner activities and acts as a liaison with area employers and Social Service Districts) and the Safety Net Brokerage. Therefore, JARC funds “bundle” two-threeseveral years of funds to allow multi-year project proposals and to provide an opportunity for applicants to have an adequate time period to determine project success. The Coordinated Plan for the Capital District recommends that priority be given to New Freedom projects that request operating assistance, with a 50/50 match, over capital projects that require an 80/20 match. Travel training and mobility management programs are specifically identified in the locally Developed Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan and would receive higher consideration than other proposed projects. Weekend and late night transportation service to the mobility disabled population is also identified as a need.