2002
SOCIAL SERVICE TRANSPORTATION
ACTION PLAN UPDATE
SHASTA COUNTY
DESIGNATED CONSOLIDATED TRANSPORTATION SERVICE AGENCY (CTSA): The Shasta Senior Nutrition Program (SSNP) was designated the Consolidated Transit Agency (CTSA) for Shasta County effective January 1997. Since taking over as CTSA, SSNP has greatly improved coordination between the social service agencies that provide transportation services. Additionally, where needed, transportation service has been provided for the elderly and handicapped population. Although most programs take place in the urbanized area of Redding, most programs are available countywide.
STATUS OF PREVIOUS ACTION PLAN: The original "Action Plan for Social Service Transportation Coordination," and the social service agencies inventory upon which it was based, were prepared in 1981 in compliance with the Social Service Transportation Improvement Act, (Part 13, Section 15950-15982 of the California Government Code).
The Social Service Transportation Coordination Plan and Inventory for Shasta County was last updated in 1999.
The 1999 update of the Plan focuses on the programs of the Shasta Senior Nutrition Programs (SSNP) as the Consolidated Transportation Service Agency(CTSA) for Shasta County. The last two years have been very productive with regard to coordination of social service transit services. SSNP has been very active in promoting a high level of coordination and cooperation. The CTSA has become central to the coordination efforts between the existing fixed-route transit system and social service system. As one of the statutory members of the Social Service Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) , the CTSA assists in evaluating unmet transit needs and making a recommendation to the RTPA Board.
PROGRESS TOWARDS IMPLEMENTING THE ACTION PLAN:
Designate a Consolidated Transportation Service Agency for Shasta County, within the meaning of the term as established in the Social Service Transportation Improvement Act of 1979, and the administrative guidelines provided by the California Department of Transportation.
The Shasta Senior Nutrition Program Inc. was designated as the CTSA for Shasta County by the RTPA effective January 1, 1997.
Identify the numbers and distribution of the transportation disadvantaged social service agency client populations in Shasta County, and develop measures to make affordable, accessible transportation available to them.
The CTSA annually surveys current users and potential users of the social service transportation services by administering questionnaires at senior centers, other meeting areas and buses. The questionnaires are also provided to other social service agencies to survey their clients. The results are forwarded to the RTPA and used to evaluate the performance of the various transportation services during the annual Unmet Needs Process.
Identify and utilize, to the maximum extent possible, available sources of funding for social service transportation and identify and overcome, where possible, any obstacles created by categorical program funding.
The CTSA has actively worked to coordinate the grant applications for FTA 5310 vehicle and equipment. FTA 5310 applicants are required to get a letter from the CTSA proving attendance and participation at the monthly CTSA meeting and coordination with other transit providers. This has led to several successful collaborative projects including a transportation project for the frail elderly and joint use of a vehicle between SSNP and Shascade Community Services that occurred in 2000.
Ensure that local social service transportation services are coordinated to the maximum extent possible with existing fixed-route public transit service.
The CTSA has become central to the coordination efforts between the existing fixed-route transit system and social service system. As one of the statutory members of the Social Service Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) , the CTSA assists in evaluating unmet transit needs and making a recommendation to the RTPA Board. The CTSA is also a member of the RTPA Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) providing input and advice regarding transit and the needs of the elderly and disabled. They actively participate in the Regional Transportation Plan working Group addressing transit issues for the Regional Transportation Plan.
Monthly transportation provider meetings held by the CTSA are a forum where the social service, public transit, and for-profit transit agencies get together to air problems and come up with solutions. The attendees at the provider meetings have a network of local transit professionals that can be utilized to solve day-to-day operational problems such as borrowing a vehicle to fill in during a time of high demand or for a broken down vehicle. On a more long-term basis, many of the cooperative programs were initiated during these meetings. The CTSA also uses the meetings as an opportunity to glean information on transportation improvements to benefit the elderly, disabled and poor.
OBSTACLES ENCOUNTERED IN IMPLEMENTING THE ACTION PLAN:
None to report
ACTIONS TAKEN TO OVERCOME THE OBSTACLES:
None to report
OTHER PROPOSED ACTIONS NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT THE ACTION PLAN:
• Combined purchasing of necessary equipment so that some cost savings through larger number of unit purchases can be realized.
• Adequate training of vehicle drivers to ensure the safe operation of vehicles. Proper driver training should promote lower insurance costs and encourage use of the service.
• Centralized dispatching of vehicles so that efficient use of vehicles results.
• Centralized maintenance of vehicles so that adequate and routine vehicle maintenance scheduling is possible.
• Centralized administration of various social service transportation programs so that elimination of numerous duplicative and costly administrative organizations can occur. Centralized administration can provide more efficient and cost effective transportation services permitting social service agencies to respond to specific social needs.
• Identification and consolidation of all existing sources of funding for social service transportation services can provide more effective and cost efficient use of scarce resource dollars. Consolidation of categorical program funds can foster eventual elimination of unnecessary and unwarranted program constraints.