Transportation
The Beverly Foundation announced its 2011 STAR Search/STAR Awards program. STAR Awards of $15,000 and $20,000 will be given to at least ten organizations that respond to the survey. To be considered for an award, applicant organizations must meet eligibility criteria and complete an electronic application/survey.
To be eligible for a STAR Award, survey respondents must: (1) deliver transportation to senior passengers; (2) include volunteer drivers in transportation service delivery activities; (3) be in operation for at least two years; (4) be aware of the 5 A’s criteria for senior friendliness; and (5) demonstrate an ability to identify good practices in delivering transportation services to senior passengers. Previous STAR Award winners will be eligible for a cash award, and for-profit transportation services will be eligible for a non-cash award.
The 2011 STAR Search survey is planned for February 14 through February 28. Like STAR Search 2010, the 2011 survey will be web-based and administered through SurveyMonkey.com (an online survey tool). Starting February 14, look for links to the survey on the Beverly Foundation website www.beverlyfoundation.org and the STP Exchange website www.stpexchange.org. The survey will include demographic and senior transportation service questions plus several open-ended questions, one of which will ask applicants to present a brief history of their organization. Additional open-ended questions will ask applicants to discuss their transportation service delivery to older adults.
The Community Transportation Association (CTAA) is soliciting project applications for CTAA's Rural and Tribal Passenger Transportation Technical Assistance Programs. As you may know, these Programs enable us to offer free planning assistance to help rural and tribal communities create or improve transit services or develop facilities. The Programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and projects should emphasize the economic benefits provided by community transit. Within this overall objective, CTAA can provide a broad range of planning assistance for facility development, service improvements and expansion, system start-up, policy and procedure development, marketing, transportation coordination and training. Our technical assistance has helped establish a number of successful new transit systems around the country, and facilitated development of innovative transit centers. Eligibility guidelines for the Tribal Technical Assistance Program projects are simple: applications must be submitted by a tribal organization. Applications are due at CTAA by February 24, 2011 and projects will be selected by March 11, 2011.
The Accessible Transportation Coalitions Initiative
Easter Seals Project ACTION will select ten communities for the 2011 Accessible Transportation Coalitions Initiative. This one-year, facilitated process helps local and regional teams of 15 to 25 leaders to improve accessible transportation options for people with disabilities. The teams often include aging and senior transportation experts, and the plans developed can support older adult transportation services. Last year's participant Monita McGhee, Director, Dallas Area Agency on Aging, said "Having expert ATCI facilitators come to us, leading our local partners through two days of strategic planning, resulted in a course of action that built upon our community's unique needs and strengths. We continue to benefit from ongoing technical assistance provided by the ATCI team." Applications are due January 31. Easter Seals Project Action
The Department of Transportation Launces Resources for Tribes and Tribal Governments
On December 17, President Obama addressed the White House Tribal Nations conference, stressing the economic benefits of growing transportation infrastructure and public transportation options in Indian Country. The value of better access by Tribes to transportation networks is echoed by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the message extends beyond jobs and commerce to access to essential services and supports important to American Indian elders. DOT recently went live with an online information resource for tribes at www.dot.gov/tribal, which details grants to Tribes DOT and opportunities for peer-to-peer support and technical assistance.
National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST)
The NCST website offers extensive resources toward the advancement of transportation options for older adults who wish to live more independently within their communities. The site provides announcements, facts and tips, publications, special events, opportunities of others, and technical assistance for the aging and human service community, transit providers, and older adults and caregivers.
Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program
The goals of the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program are to enhance the access of public transportation on and around Indian reservations, assist in the maintenance, development, improvement, and use of public transportation, encourage and facilitate the most efficient use of all Federal funds used to provide passenger transportation, and help provide for the participation of private transportation providers in non-urbanized transportation.
Community Transportation Association - Tribal Transportation Links
