Transportation Workgroup
|
Anne LeClerc, Chair |
RI Public Transit Authority |
|
Carolyn Aspinwall |
East Bay Educational Collaborative |
|
Tony Bagaglia |
Dept. of Human Services, Office of Rehabilitation Services |
|
Chris Clarkin |
Child and Family Services |
|
Elaina Goldstein |
University of Rhode Island / Rhode to Independence Steering Committee |
|
Danielle Hetu |
South Shore Mental Health Center |
|
Jeanne Hunter |
Department of Human Services |
|
Marilyn Sayles |
Department of Elderly Affairs, Senior Workforce Development |
|
Maura Silvia |
Northern RI Educational Collaborative |
|
Mark Susa |
Accessing Community Transportation |
|
Dale Williams |
Work Opportunities Unlimited |
|
Alice Woods |
Southern RI Educational Collaborative |
|
Charles Zawacki |
Blackstone Valley ARC |
2003 Accomplishments
Joblinks Demonstration Grant and Deliverables
Most of the activity in 2003 centered around 6 priority goals identified early in the year. These goals were written into a grant application that RIPTA, with the Transportation Workgroup acting as an advisory board, was awarded, called the Joblinks Demonstration grant from the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA). Rhode Island was one of nine projects selected out of more than 70 applicants. CTAA is a national association committed to improving mobility for all people. It conducts research, provides technical assistance, offers educational programs and serves as an advocate in order to make coordinated community transportation available, affordable and accessible. The Joblinks grant's goal is to test various transportation strategies in support of local initiatives at Department of Labor One-Stop Centers and other job development activity centers, and to improve coordination between one-stops and transit.
Rhode Island's grant was geared to improving the quantity and quality of transit-related information available to the general public as well as the Department of Labor & Training and other job developers. Goals included the following:
1. Develop and distribute a guide to transit services for the state.
A Guide to the RIde Program was printed and a Guide to RIPTA Services is under development and expected to be printed in May 2004. This guide will improve and consolidate information about public transit. Content developed for this guide will also be integrated into RIPTA's website.
2. Develop, distribute and provide training in the use of a guide to mobility management for the state.
A Guide to Mobility Management was under development in 2003, and will be printed in the spring of 2004. It will include instructions for individualized transportation needs assessment, travel training skills development, and long-range mobility plan development. It will aid in integrating transportation assessments and plans into any individualized employment or education plans, and point to the relationship between transportation needs and employment and housing searches. It will provide sample mobility plans, contact telephone numbers, and other reference materials. The goal is that employment specialists, job training programs, family assistance programs, and others may use the guide to develop targeted intake and evaluation forms, to train staff to evaluate and address transportation needs, particularly in employment searches. One-Stop Centers and employment programs through the Department of Human Services are the priority targets of this guide.
3. Meet with each One-Stop Center to discuss transportation needs and barriers.
RIPTA attended some partner meetings at One-Stops and some Employer Service Network meetings. This goal requires more time and effort.
4. Develop a method for job developers to track met and unmet transportation needs and barriers. Collect data and evaluate at least annually to develop a picture of need in the state.
There was little progress on this goal in 2003. More activity is expected in 2004.
5. Open a dialogue with the business community about transportation needs of employees.
There was little progress on this goal in 2003. More activity is expected in 2004.
6. Develop a Geographic Information Systems database for use in planning employment, training, and transportation services.
This goal was not met because matching funding could not be obtained.
