BELMONT COUNTY COORDINATED PUBLIC TRANSIT – HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION PLAN
PHASE II
PRESENTED TO BELMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION ...... I – 1
WHY A COORDINATED PUBLIC TRANSIT – HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION PLAN? ...... I – 1
II. POPULATION DATA AND TRIP INFORMATION ...... II – 1
POPULATION GROWTH ...... II – 2 DEFINITION OF THE DISABLED POPULATION ...... II – 3 SOURCES OF DATA ON THE DISABLED POPULATION ...... II – 5 ENUMERATION METHODOLOGY ...... II – 6 PROJECTIONS OF THE DISABLED POPULATION, 2005 - 2015 ...... II – 8 MAJOR TRIP GENERATORS/ORIGINS AND DESTINATIONS ...... II – 19
III. COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND INVENTORY OF EXISTING CONDITIONS ...... III – 1
OVERVIEW ...... III – 1 COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES ...... III – 2 INVENTORY OF EXISTING SERVICES ...... III – 3
IV. NEEDS ASSESSMENT ...... IV – 1
PHASE 1 ...... IV – 1 PHASE 2 ...... IV – 4 CHALLENGES TO COORDINATION ...... IV – 5
V. COORDINATION GOALS FOR IMPLEMENTATION ...... V – 1 VI. REFERENCE TABLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES AND POTENTIAL GRANT APPLICATIONS ...... VI – 1 VII. ADOPTION AND APPROVAL OF PLAN ...... VII – 1
APPENDIX
I. INTRODUCTION
This document is the Belmont County Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan (HSTP). Its function is to document evaluation of existing transportation providers and the unmet transportation needs/duplications in human service agency and public transportation service for the county. Findings from this document are intended to update Phase 1 of the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan (March 2009) and assist transportation stakeholders and providers to make progress toward the fulfillment of requirements for the United We Ride initiative and the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).
The intent of this document and the planning process that led to it is to create a guide for local decision-makers as they consider advances in the coordination of transportation resources.
Organization and operational strategies are recommended based upon the information and feedback generated during the data analysis and community outreach activities. Community outreach activities are outlined in the Appendix. Project steering committee members are invited to review the contents of this document and provide input that will assist in the development of a financially feasible implementation timeline and milestones.
This planning process was undertaken by Belomar Regional Council with financial assistance from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). ODOT awarded Belomar Regional Council a grant for completion of this coordinated transportation plan.
This HSTP document also meets the requirements for the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) coordinated transportation plan as set forth in SAFETEA-LU guidelines.
WHY A COORDINATED PUBLIC TRANSIT-HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION PLAN?
In August of 2005, Congress passed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation, Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), reauthorizing the surface transportation act. As part of this reauthorization, grantees under the Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310), Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) (Section 5316), and New Freedom Initiative (Section 5317) grant programs must meet certain requirements in order to receive funding for fiscal 2007 (October 1, 2006) and beyond.
One of the SAFETEA-LU requirements is that projects from the programs listed above must be part of a “locally developed Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan.” This Transportation Plan is required to be developed through a process that includes representatives of public, private, and non-profit transportation services, human services providers, and the general public.
Transportation coordination has been occurring across the nation because the benefits of coordination are clear. According to the Federal Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility’s (CCAM) United We Ride information on its website, nationally, $700 million could be saved if
I - 1 transportation providers would coordinate their individual resources which are dedicated to providing transportation. This conservative estimate is based on a study conducted by the National Academy of Science’s Transportation Research Board (TRB) but it highlights the fact that transportation resources (funding, people, vehicles and services) could be more effectively utilized to provide more transportation for communities.
Transportation is the vital link to jobs, medical care, and community support services. Without it, citizens cannot be productive because they do not have reliable access to employment centers; health care becomes more expensive as citizens are admitted to hospitals with serious health problems because they were without necessary resources to travel to preventative care appointments, etc. The lack of affordable and useable transportation options frustrates the ability of many citizens to achieve economic and personal independence (CCAM, 2006). Transportation coordination can help to provide more trips for agency clients and the general public, and link them to life-supporting employment and services.
Transportation coordination, while making sense from an efficiency and resource utilization standpoint, is also becoming a national mandate. During the last few years, the Federal Transit Administration CCAM developed a national campaign entitled “United We Ride,” to help promote transportation coordination. A “United We Ride” website has been posted as a resource for any organization with an interest in transportation of older adults, individuals with limited incomes, and persons with disabilities. The website contains “A Framework for Action” for local communities and state governments, a coordination planning tool, along with a multitude of other coordination resources. State “United We Ride” grants have also been awarded to encourage transportation coordination planning at the state level. This locally developed HSTP for Belmont County is a result of the national United We Ride campaign and efforts for coordination that originate at the Federal level and reach through to State Departments of Transportation and, finally, to local communities.
As indicated above, the U.S. Congress is also supporting the new emphasis on coordinated human services agency and public transportation efforts with the passage of SAFETEA-LU. Coordinated transportation is now an eligibility requirement for the following FTA funding grant programs:
Transportation for Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities (Section 5310) - This program (49 U.S.C. 5310) provides formula funding to States for the purpose of assisting private nonprofit groups in meeting the transportation needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities when the transportation service provided is unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate to meeting these needs. States apply for funds on behalf of local private non-profit agencies and certain public bodies. Capital projects are eligible for funding. Most funds are used to purchase vehicles, but acquisition of transportation services under contract, lease or other arrangements and state program administration are also eligible expenses.
Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) Program (Section 5316) - The purpose of this grant program is to develop transportation services designed to transport welfare recipients and people with low incomes to and from jobs and to develop transportation services for residents of urban centers and rural and suburban areas to suburban employment opportunities. Emphasis is placed
I - 2 on projects that use mass transportation services. Job Access grants are intended to provide new transit service to assist welfare recipients and other low-income individuals in getting to jobs, training, and child care. Reverse Commute grants are designed to develop transit services to transport workers to suburban job sites. Eligible recipients include local governmental authorities, agencies, and non-profit entities. Eligible activities for Job Access grants include capital and operating costs of equipment, facilities, and associated capital maintenance items related to providing access to jobs. Also included are the costs of promoting the use of transit by workers with nontraditional work schedules, promoting the use of transit vouchers, and promoting the use of employer-provided transportation including the transit benefits. For Reverse Commute grants, the following activities are eligible: operating costs, capital costs, and other costs associated with reverse commute by bus, train, carpool, vans, or other transit service.
New Freedom Program (Section 5317) – A new funding program for Federal Fiscal Year 2006, New Freedom is designed to encourage services and facility improvements to address the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities that go beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The New Freedom formula grant program is being designed to expand the transportation mobility options available to individuals with disabilities beyond the requirements of the ADA. Examples of projects and activities that might be funded under the program include, but are not limited to:
o Purchasing vehicles and supporting accessible taxi, ride-sharing, and vanpooling programs.
o Providing paratransit services beyond minimum requirements (3/4 mile to either side of a fixed route), including for routes that run seasonally.
o Making accessibility improvements to transit and intermodal stations not designated as key stations.
o Supporting voucher programs for transportation services offered by human service providers.
o Supporting volunteer driver and aide programs.
o Supporting mobility management and coordination programs among public transportation providers and other human service agencies providing transportation.
One of the prerequisites to apply for funding under the SAFETEA-LU programs is participation in the creation of a “locally developed Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan.” This HSTP is the first step for all of the organizations that participated in the plan toward satisfying that application requirement. The plan should become a living document so that it may be amended as new organizations join the effort in future years.
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II. POPULATION DATA AND TRIP INFORMATION
Belmont County (Belmont is French for “beautiful mountain”), established in 1801, is located in eastern Ohio along the Ohio River and is considered the “gateway” to the upper Ohio Valley. The county lies approximately 65 miles west of Pittsburgh, PA and 120 miles east of Columbus, OH. It is 537.35 sq. miles in size.
Exhibit II.1 Location Map of Belmont County in Ohio
The county is bordered on the north by Harrison and Jefferson counties, on the west by Guernsey and Noble counties, on the south by Monroe County, and on the east by the Ohio River and West Virginia.
Exhibit II.2 County Map of Ohio
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In Belmont County, there are several cities and villages of significant size with regard to population. These would include the largest city of Martins Ferry (2006 population of 6,804); the county seat, St. Clairsville (2006 population of 5,081); the village of Bellaire (2006 population of 4,699); the village of Barnesville (2006 population of 4,129); and the village of Shadyside (2006 population of 3,535).
Exhibit II.3 Map of Belmont County Townships & Major Cities/Towns
POPULATION GROWTH
The current population of Belmont County based on Census 2000 figures is 70,226 persons. The county’s population is expected to decrease significantly by 2030 according to population projections provided by the Ohio Department of Development, Office of Strategic Research:
• 2005: 69,200 persons • 2010: 68,030 persons • 2015: 67,600 persons • 2020: 66,810 persons • 2025: 66,320 persons • 2030: 65,340 persons
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By the year 2030, the county’s population will have decreased by 7 percent or 4,886 persons.
It is noted that Belmont County’s population has been decreasing since 1990. The county lost 1.2 percent of its population between 1990 and 2000.
Exhibit II.4 Historical and Projected Population Trends for the County 1990-2030
County 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 Belmont 71,070 70,226 69,200 68,030 67,600 66,810 66,320 65,340
Source: Ohio Department of Development, Office of Strategic Research
DEFINITION OF THE DISABLED POPULATION
Enumeration of the disabled population in any community presents challenges. First, there is a complex and lengthy definition in the implementing regulations. The definition of the disabled is found in 49 CFR Part 37.3. The definition of disability reads:
Disability means, with respect to an individual, a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment.
1. The phrase physical or mental impairment means:
(i) Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory including speech organs, cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genito-urinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin and endocrine; (ii) Any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities; (iii) The term physical or mental impairment includes, but is not limited to, such contagious or non-contagious diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech and hearing impairments; cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental
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retardation, emotional illness, specific learning disabilities, HIV disease, tuberculosis, drug addiction and alcoholism; (iv) The phrase physical or mental impairment does not include homosexuality or bisexuality.
2. The phrase major life activities means functions such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and work. 3. The phrase “has a record of such an impairment” means has a history of, or has been misclassified as having, a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. 4. The phrase “is regarded as having such an impairment” means: (i) Has a physical or mental impairment that does not substantially limit major life activities, but which is treated by a public or private entity as constituting such a limitation; (ii) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity only as a result of the attitudes of others toward such an impairment; or (iii) Has none of the impairments defined in paragraph (1) of this definition but is treated by a public or private entity as having such an impairment.
5. The term disability does not include: (i) Transvestism, transsexualism, pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism, gender identity disorders not resulting from physical impairments, or other sexual behavior disorders; (ii) Compulsive gambling, kleptomania, or pyromania; (iii) Psychoactive substance abuse disorders resulting from the current illegal use of drugs.
The definition, when applied to public transportation applications, is designed to permit a functional approach to disability determination rather than a strict categorical definition. In a functional approach, the mere presence of a condition that is typically thought to be disabling gives way to consideration of an individual’s abilities to perform various life functions. In short, an individual’s capabilities, rather than the mere presence of a medical condition, determines transportation disability.
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SOURCES OF DATA ON THE DISABLED POPULATION
The United States Bureau of the Census provides data on disability based on three (3) primary sources. Only one of these sources directly enumerates the disabled population in the county.
Decennial Census of the Population
The long-form questionnaire used in the Decennial Census of the Population has included questions on “disability” since 1970. The questions have changed and evolved with each decade. In 1970, questions were asked about “work disability”. In 1980, questions about work disability and the ability to use public transportation were included. In 1990, questions about work disability, the ability to go outside the home alone and the ability to take care of personal needs were posed. Finally, Census 2000 posed the most extensive set of questions, with some focus on issues that enable some interpretation as to the number of individuals that may or may not meet the definition included in 49 CFR Part 37.3.
As can be seen with the changes that have occurred from census to census, there are issues in compatibility with each decade. This is one inherent disadvantage with the use of this data source. Second, the tables reporting results on disability do not take into account multi-domains. In other words, the categories are not mutually exclusive. For example, an individual can have both a “going outside the home” disability as well as an “employment” disability. This can result in overestimation of the disabled population.
Current Population Survey (CPS)
The Current Population Survey (CPS) identifies persons who are out of the labor force because of a disability and, in each March survey since 1980, identifies persons who have a health problem that “prevents them from working or limits the kind or amount of work they can do.”
Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP)
The Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) is a national household survey that began in 1984. The SIPP is characterized by an extensive set of disability questions; generally, the SIPP is the preferred source for examining most disability issues. The reason for this preference is the similarities between questions posed on the SIPP survey and the ADA definition of disability.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) defines disability as a “physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities”. For persons 15 years old and over, the SIPP disability questions cover limitations in functional activities (seeing, hearing, speaking, lifting and carrying, using stairs, and walking); in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) such as getting around inside the home, getting in or out of a bed or chair, bathing, dressing, eating and toileting; and in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) such as going outside the home, keeping track of money or bills, preparing meals, doing light housework, and using the telephone. The SIPP also obtains information on the use of
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wheelchairs and crutches, canes, or walkers; the presence of certain conditions related to mental functioning, the presence of a work disability, and the disability status of children.
In summary, the CPS provides information only on work disability. The Decennial Census of Population relates to only a few components of disability and there is difficulty determining a specific count or enumeration of individuals within a given census tract or block group. The SIPP provides extensive data and, more importantly, addresses multi-dimensional elements of disability. The major drawback is the fact that despite the sample is drawn from more than 32,000 households, the Bureau cautions users who apply the various incidence rates of disability to levels of geography below the regional level. Use of SIPP data may or may not generate statistical confidence levels of 0.90 or greater when applied to the county or urban level.
ENUMERATION METHODOLOGY
Two methodologies using different data sources were used in the development of an estimated count of disabled persons. The process will result in two (2) estimates, or a range, of the disabled population.
Census-Based Approach
Direct tabulations of data from tables in the 2000 Census Summary File 3 on disability are reported. When available, this total is reported by age cohort. Census-based age breakdowns generally distinguish between working age adults and older adults. Census data, based on the 2000 Decennial Census of Population have been tabulated for the county in Exhibit II.5.
As noted previously, Census 2000 data provides an enumeration of a specific type of problem, but due to prospect of multiple disabilities, there is no cumulative number that can be developed from this source. Generally speaking, the category of “outside the home disability” tends to be the single best factor in looking at persons with disabilities who may need public transportation or complementary paratransit services. Based on Exhibit II.5, there are a total of 5,270 persons in this category in Belmont County.
II - 6 Exhibit II-5 Enumeration of the Disabled Population in Belmont County, 2000
Ages 5-15 Ages 16-64 Ages 65+ Outside Employme Outside Geographic Total Sensory Physical Mental Self-Care Sensory Physical Mental Self-Care Home nt Sensory Physical Mental Self-Care Home Geographic Pop Disability Disability Disability Disability Disability Disability DisabilitDisability Disability Disability Disability Disability Disability Disability Disability
Belmont County ##### 131 88 542 78 1,293 3,987 2,230 1,075 2,515 5,004 1,610 3,920 1,260 1,190 2,755
Notes: (1) Sensory disability means blindness, deafness, or a severe vision or hearing impairment. (2) Physical disability means a condition that substantially limits one or more basic physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs, reaching, lifting, or carrying. (3) Mental disability means having difficulties in learning, remembering or concentrating. (4) Self-care disability means having difficulties in dressing, bathing, or getting around inside the home. (5) Outside the home disability means having difficulties going outside the home alone to shop or visit a doctor's office. (6) Employment disability means having difficulties working at a job or business. (7) Disability categories in any age cohort are not mutually exclusive.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000. II - 7
Imputed Approach
Using the indices or incidence rates for specific disabilities derived from the SIPP (2002), an imputed estimate of the number of individuals with disabilities, by age cohort, has been calculated for the county as a whole for 2000. These estimates are found in Exhibit II.6.
Data collected in the SIPP do permit consideration of persons with multiple disabilities. Moreover, the definitions employed can be directly related to the concepts in 49 CFR Part 37.3 definitions with respect to “activities of daily life.”
Exhibit II.6 also provides a summary of the number of persons with one or more activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living for which assistance was needed. Using the criteria that only one major limitation in activities of daily life is necessary to trigger ADA eligibility for complementary paratransit services and that it is also a strong indicator of transit dependency, this procedure yields an estimate of 3,623 ADA eligible individuals for the County.
PROJECTIONS OF THE DISABLED POPULATION, 2005-2015
There are no known existing data sources that enumerate the existing disabled population and project the growth or decline of this population into the future for the County. Generally, the overall population is projected and then some assessment of the future incidence rates of various disabilities is used to generate an estimate of the disabled population.
As noted above, population projections (2005-2030) of the total population and for age cohorts for the County were obtained from the Ohio Department of Development, Office of Strategic Research.
Two (2) significant factors dictate this data need. First, Census 2000 data clearly reflect an increasing incidence of disability (all types) by age. Thus, any estimate of the disabled population must take the age characteristics of the population into account. Second, there are significant trends occurring in the United States relating to the aging of the population. For example, nationally, the two (2) age cohorts with the largest percentage of growth over the last decade were the 50-54 year old cohort and the 45-49 year old cohort. People in these two (2) age groups were primarily born during the post-WWII “baby boom,” defined by the
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Exhibit II-6 Estimated Count of the ADA Eligible Population in Belmont County, 2000 Ages 15-24 Years Ages 25-64 Years Ages 65 Years and Over Total County Belmont Belmont Belmont Ages Ages Ages Total Disability Status Percent County Percent County Percent County 15-24 Yrs. 25-64 Yrs. 65+ Yrs. All Ages
Total Population 8401 36766 12758 8401 36766 12758 57925
Disability Status With a Disability 0.208 1747 0.163 5993 0.523 6672 1747 5993 6672 14413 Severe 0.137 1151 0.108 3971 0.369 4708 1151 3971 4708 9829 Not Severe 0.07 588 0.055 2022 0.154 1965 588 2022 1965 4575
Seeing/Hearing Disability With a Disability 0.067 563 0.048 1765 0.205 2615 563 1765 2615 4943 Severe 0.014 118 0.009 331 0.044 561 118 331 561 1010 Not Severe 0.053 445 0.039 1434 0.161 2054 445 1434 2054 3933
Walking/Using Stairs With a Disability 0.114 958 0.08 2941 0.382 4874 958 2941 4874 8773 Severe 0.059 496 0.036 1324 0.221 2820 496 1324 2820 4639 Not Severe 0.055 462 0.044 1618 0.161 2054 462 1618 2054 4134 Had Difficulty Walking 0.094 790 0.065 2390 0.318 4057 790 2390 4057 7237 Severe 0.051 428 0.031 1140 0.195 2488 428 1140 2488 4056 Not Severe 0.043 361 0.034 1250 0.123 1569 361 1250 1569 3181 Had Difficulty Using Stairs 0.092 773 0.065 2390 0.312 3980 773 2390 3980 7143 Severe 0.031 260 0.018 662 0.119 1518 260 662 1518 2440 Not Severe 0.061 512 0.046 1691 0.193 2462 512 1691 2462 4666 Used a Wheelchair 0.012 101 0.007 257 0.045 574 101 257 574 932 Used a Cane/Crutches/Walker 0.041 344 0.022 809 0.169 2156 344 809 2156 3309
With an Activities of Daily Life Limitation 0.036 302 0.025 919 0.123 1569 302 919 1569 2791 Needed Personal Assistance 0.02 168 0.013 478 0.071 906 168 478 906 1552 Did not Need Personal Assistance 0.016 134 0.012 441 0.052 663 134 441 663 1239
Number of ADLs or IADLs for which assistance was needed One or more 0.048 403 0.031 1140 0.163 2080 403 1140 2080 3623
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Census Bureau as persons born from 1946 through 1964. As communities approach the year 2010, these baby boomers will begin turning 65 years of age. Indeed, it is projected that the number of older adults will be more than double than their current numbers.
Further, the Administration on Aging (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) reports that, based on a comprehensive survey of older adults, longevity is increasing and younger seniors are healthier than in all previously measured time in our history. Quality of life issues and an individual’s desire to live independently will put increasing pressure on existing transit services to provide mobility to this population. This has great significance on the potential need to provide public transit and complementary paratransit services.
Methodology
To accomplish the task of projecting the number of persons with disabilities for 2005, 2010 and 2015 for Belmont County, the consultant used age cohort projection data provided by the Ohio Department of Development Office of Strategic Research and plugged them into the SIPP disabilities incidence rate tables used to estimate the disabled population for the year 2000 above.
Based on this analysis, the number of individuals in the County who are projected to be disabled, defined as an individual with at least one activity of daily living for which assistance is required, is expected to decrease to 3,606 persons in 2005, a difference of only 17 persons from 2000. In 2010, the total number of individuals needing assistance with at least one activity of daily living is projected at 3,511 persons (2.63 percent decline, 2005-2010). The total number of persons needing assistance with at least one activity of daily living in 2015 is projected to be 3,580, an increase of 2 percent from 2010. Overall, the disabled population remains relatively stable over the fifteen year period examined (2000-2015). Exhibits II.7, II.8 and II.9 provide the population projections by age cohort for the County and the estimates of the disabled population for 2005, 2010 and 2015, respectively.
Adults Age 65 and Older
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the County has a total senior (age 65 and older) population of 12,758 persons or 18.2 percent of the county’s population. This is substantially higher than the senior population figure of 13.3 percent for the State of Ohio and for the United States (12.4%).
The population projections by age found in Exhibits II.7, II.8 and II.9 indicate that the population aged 65 years and older will remain fairly stable between 2005 and 2015 for the county, unlike other areas of the State where the senior population is often projected to double. The county’s 65+ population is only projected to change from 12,758 persons in 2000 to 12,370 persons in 2015.
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Exhibit II-7 Estimated Count of the ADA Eligible Population in Belmont County, 2005 Ages 15-24 Years Ages 25-64 Years Ages 65 Years and Over Total County Belmont Belmont Belmont Ages Ages Ages Total Disability Status Percent County Percent County Percent County 15-24 Yrs. 25-64 Yrs. 65+ Yrs. All Ages
Total Population 10440 35700 12260 10440 35700 12260 58400
Disability Status With a Disability 0.208 2172 0.163 5819 0.523 6412 2172 5819 6412 14403 Severe 0.137 1430 0.108 3856 0.369 4524 1430 3856 4524 9810 Not Severe 0.07 731 0.055 1964 0.154 1888 731 1964 1888 4582
Seeing/Hearing Disability With a Disability 0.067 699 0.048 1714 0.205 2513 699 1714 2513 4926 Severe 0.014 146 0.009 321 0.044 539 146 321 539 1007 Not Severe 0.053 553 0.039 1392 0.161 1974 553 1392 1974 3919
Walking/Using Stairs With a Disability 0.114 1190 0.08 2856 0.382 4683 1190 2856 4683 8729 Severe 0.059 616 0.036 1285 0.221 2709 616 1285 2709 4611 Not Severe 0.055 574 0.044 1571 0.161 1974 574 1571 1974 4119 Had Difficulty Walking 0.094 981 0.065 2321 0.318 3899 981 2321 3899 7201 Severe 0.051 532 0.031 1107 0.195 2391 532 1107 2391 4030 Not Severe 0.043 449 0.034 1214 0.123 1508 449 1214 1508 3171 Had Difficulty Using Stairs 0.092 960 0.065 2321 0.312 3825 960 2321 3825 7106 Severe 0.031 324 0.018 643 0.119 1459 324 643 1459 2425 Not Severe 0.061 637 0.046 1642 0.193 2366 637 1642 2366 4645 Used a Wheelchair 0.012 125 0.007 250 0.045 552 125 250 552 927 Used a Cane/Crutches/Walker 0.041 428 0.022 785 0.169 2072 428 785 2072 3285
With an Activities of Daily Life Limitation 0.036 376 0.025 893 0.123 1508 376 893 1508 2776 Needed Personal Assistance 0.02 209 0.013 464 0.071 870 209 464 870 1543 Did not Need Personal Assistance 0.016 167 0.012 428 0.052 638 167 428 638 1233
Number of ADLs or IADLs for which assistance was needed One or more 0.048 501 0.031 1107 0.163 1998 501 1107 1998 3606 II -1
Exhibit II-8 Estimated Count of the ADA Eligible Population in Belmont County, 2010 Ages 15-24 Years Ages 25-64 Years Ages 65 Years and Over Total County Belmont Belmont Belmont Ages Ages Ages Total Disability Status Percent County Percent County Percent County 15-24 Yrs. 25-64 Yrs. 65+ Yrs. All Ages Total Population 10010 36460 11660 10010 36460 11660 58130
Disability Status With a Disability 0.208 2082 0.163 5943 0.523 6098 2082 5943 6098 14123 Severe 0.137 1371 0.108 3938 0.369 4303 1371 3938 4303 9612 Not Severe 0.07 701 0.055 2005 0.154 1796 701 2005 1796 4502
Seeing/Hearing Disability With a Disability 0.067 671 0.048 1750 0.205 2390 671 1750 2390 4811 Severe 0.014 140 0.009 328 0.044 513 140 328 513 981 Not Severe 0.053 531 0.039 1422 0.161 1877 531 1422 1877 3830
Walking/Using Stairs With a Disability 0.114 1141 0.08 2917 0.382 4454 1141 2917 4454 8512 Severe 0.059 591 0.036 1313 0.221 2577 591 1313 2577 4480 Not Severe 0.055 551 0.044 1604 0.161 1877 551 1604 1877 4032 Had Difficulty Walking 0.094 941 0.065 2370 0.318 3708 941 2370 3708 7019 Severe 0.051 511 0.031 1130 0.195 2274 511 1130 2274 3914 Not Severe 0.043 430 0.034 1240 0.123 1434 430 1240 1434 3104 Had Difficulty Using Stairs 0.092 921 0.065 2370 0.312 3638 921 2370 3638 6929 Severe 0.031 310 0.018 656 0.119 1388 310 656 1388 2354 Not Severe 0.061 611 0.046 1677 0.193 2250 611 1677 2250 4538 Used a Wheelchair 0.012 120 0.007 255 0.045 525 120 255 525 900 Used a Cane/Crutches/Walker 0.041 410 0.022 802 0.169 1971 410 802 1971 3183
With an Activities of Daily Life Limitation 0.036 360 0.025 912 0.123 1434 360 912 1434 2706 Needed Personal Assistance 0.02 200 0.013 474 0.071 828 200 474 828 1502 Did not Need Personal Assistance 0.016 160 0.012 438 0.052 606 160 438 606 1204
Number of ADLs or IADLs for which assistance was needed One or more 0.048 480 0.031 1130 0.163 1901 480 1130 1901 3511 II - 12
Exhibit II-9 Estimated Count of the ADA Eligible Population in Belmont County, 2015 Ages 15-24 Years Ages 25-64 Years Ages 65 Years and Over Total County Belmont Belmont Belmont Ages Ages Ages Total Disability Status Percent County Percent County Percent County 15-24 Yrs. 25-64 Yrs. 65+ Yrs. All Ages
Total Population 9340 35980 12370 9340 35980 12370 57690
Disability Status With a Disability 0.208 1943 0.163 5865 0.523 6470 1943 5865 6470 14277 Severe 0.137 1280 0.108 3886 0.369 4565 1280 3886 4565 9730 Not Severe 0.07 654 0.055 1979 0.154 1905 654 1979 1905 4538
Seeing/Hearing Disability With a Disability 0.067 626 0.048 1727 0.205 2536 626 1727 2536 4889 Severe 0.014 131 0.009 324 0.044 544 131 324 544 999 Not Severe 0.053 495 0.039 1403 0.161 1992 495 1403 1992 3890
Walking/Using Stairs With a Disability 0.114 1065 0.08 2878 0.382 4725 1065 2878 4725 8669 Severe 0.059 551 0.036 1295 0.221 2734 551 1295 2734 4580 Not Severe 0.055 514 0.044 1583 0.161 1992 514 1583 1992 4088 Had Difficulty Walking 0.094 878 0.065 2339 0.318 3934 878 2339 3934 7150 Severe 0.051 476 0.031 1115 0.195 2412 476 1115 2412 4004 Not Severe 0.043 402 0.034 1223 0.123 1522 402 1223 1522 3146 Had Difficulty Using Stairs 0.092 859 0.065 2339 0.312 3859 859 2339 3859 7057 Severe 0.031 290 0.018 648 0.119 1472 290 648 1472 2409 Not Severe 0.061 570 0.046 1655 0.193 2387 570 1655 2387 4612 Used a Wheelchair 0.012 112 0.007 252 0.045 557 112 252 557 921 Used a Cane/Crutches/Walker 0.041 383 0.022 792 0.169 2091 383 792 2091 3265
With an Activities of Daily Life Limitation 0.036 336 0.025 900 0.123 1522 336 900 1522 2757 Needed Personal Assistance 0.02 187 0.013 468 0.071 878 187 468 878 1533 Did not Need Personal Assistance 0.016 149 0.012 432 0.052 643 149 432 643 1224
Number of ADLs or IADLs for which assistance was needed One or more 0.048 448 0.031 1115 0.163 2016 448 1115 2016 3580 II - 13
Households Below Poverty Level
The U.S. Census Bureau reported in 2000 that there were 28,363 total households in Belmont County. Of those households, approximately 4,336 households (15.3 percent) were living below the Federal poverty level. This is a substantially higher level of households below the poverty level compared to the State of Ohio (10.7 percent) and to the United States (11.8 percent of households).
Zero Vehicle Households
The number of vehicles available to a housing unit also is used as an indicator of demand for transportation service. There are 2,820 housing units in the county that have no available vehicle. This is 10 percent of all the occupied housing units in the county which is a slightly higher percentage compared to the percentage of zero-vehicle households for the State of Ohio (8.6 percent) and slightly lower than the percentage for the United States (10.3 percent).
Labor Force
Belmont County’s labor force was estimated by the Ohio Department of Development to be 32,500 workers in 2006. Over the last ten (10) years, the labor force has only grown by 1,000 workers. The labor force in 1996 was 31,500 persons.
Exhibit II.10 Labor Force Estimates for Belmont County – 1996-2006
Labor Year Force 1996 31,500 1997 31,900 1998 32,400 1999 32,300 2000 31,000 2001 30,900 2002 31,600 2003 31,700 2004 32,000 2005 32,400 2006 32,500
II - 14 Holloway Flushing Yorkville
Martins Ferry
St. Clairsville Brookside Bridgeport Morristown Fairview
Neffs Belmont Bethesda Bellaire
Barnesville
Shadyside
Wilson Powhatan Point
Blockgroups 6.655% - 11.58% Exhibit II.11: Population Age 65 and Over
II-1 5 11.59% - 15.30% 15.31% - 19.24% 19.25% - 25.70% Belmont County Coordinated Public Transit 25.71% - 35.64% Human Services Transportation Plan Holloway Flushing Yorkville
Martins Ferry
St. Clairsville Brookside Bridgeport Morristown Fairview
Neffs Belmont Bethesda Bellaire
Barnesville
Shadyside
Wilson Powhatan Point
Blockgroups 4.132% - 8.271% Exhibit II.12: Households Below Poverty
II-1 6 8.272% - 13.59% 13.60% - 18.90% 18.91% - 28.82% Belmont County Coordinated Public Transit 28.83% - 44.86% Human Services Transportation Plan Holloway Flushing Yorkville
Martins Ferry
St. Clairsville Brookside Bridgeport Morristown Fairview
Neffs Belmont Bethesda Bellaire
Barnesville
Shadyside
Wilson Powhatan Point
Blockgroups 0% - 4.389% Exhibit II.13: Zero Vehicle Households
II-1 7 4.390% - 8.850% 8.851% - 15.36% 15.37% - 25.79% Belmont County Coordinated Public Transit 25.80% - 39.41% Human Services Transportation Plan
Exhibit II.14 illustrates a comparison of historic unemployment rates between Belmont County, the State of Ohio and the United States. It is noted that the county’s unemployment rates are consistently higher than the rates for Ohio and the United States.
Exhibit II.14 Historic County, State and National Unemployment Rates 2000-2006
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 Unemployment Rate Unemployment 1 0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
Belmont County Ohio United States
Source: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Office of Workforce Development
Major Employers
Exhibit II.15 is a list of the known major employers in Belmont County, according to information provided by the Ohio Department of Development and county economic development websites.
Exhibit II.15 Major Employers in Belmont County
• Barnesville Hospital Association • Belmont Community Hospital • Belmont County Government • Belmont County Technical College • Commercial Vehicle Group/Mayflower Corporation • East Ohio Regional Hospital • Kroger Company • Ohio Valley Coal Company • State of Ohio • Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. • Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation
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Journey to Work
The mean travel time to work for residents of Belmont County was 23.5 minutes according to the 2000 U.S. Census. This mean commute time is similar to the commute time for the State of Ohio (22.9 minutes) and the United States (25.5 minutes). This low commute time indicates that a majority of the workers in Belmont County probably live close to where they work and are not traveling too far outside of the County to work.
Exhibit II.16 indicates the commuting characteristics of Belmont County residents. It is noted that approximately 84.1 percent of the labor force drove alone to work, only 9.5 percent carpooled, while less than 1 percent used public transportation.
Exhibit II.16 Means of Commuting to Work
Number Pct. Dist Total Workers Age 16 and Over 27,889 100.00% Travel To Work Car, Truck, or Van 26,110 93.6% Traveled Alone 23,456 84.1% Carpooled 2,654 9.5% Used Public Transportation 201 0.7% Motorcycle, Bicycle, Walked, Other 836 3.0% Worked At Home 742 2.7% Average Travel Time (Minutes) 23.5 Source: US Census Bureau
MAJOR TRIP GENERATORS/ORIGINS AND DESTINATIONS
The term “trip generators” is used to indicate where a large number of trips originate or end. These trip generators include residential facilities, medical facilities, employment centers, commercial business centers, educational institutions, and other important trip destinations.
Medical and Nursing Facilities
Medical and nursing facilities both within and outside of the county are another of the key destinations for residents. Exhibit II.17 at the end of this chapter illustrates the locations of those facilities. Facility names are listed below.
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• Eastern Ohio Regional Hospital - 90 North 4th Street, Martins Ferry, OH 43935 • Barnesville Hospital – 639 W. Main Street, Barnesville, OH 43713 • Belmont Community Hospital – 4697 Harrison Street, Bellaire, OH 43906 • BHC – Fox Run Hospital – 67670 Traco Drive, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 • Wheeling Hospital – 1 Medical Park, Wheeling, WV 26003 • Oaks Group Home (Assisted Living) – 46137 National Road, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 • Belmont Manor (Assisted Living) – 51999 Guirino Drive, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 • Country Club Retirement Center – 55801 Conne-mara Drive, Bellaire, OH 43906 • Forest Hill Retirement Community – 100 Reservoir Road, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 • Hadzima Care Home – 73100 Stock Drive, Dillonvale, OH 43917 • House of Hearts – 110 N. Market Street, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 • Walton Retirement Home – 1254 East Main Street, Barnesville, OH 43713 • Woodland Acres Adult Care Facility – 70900 Crescent Road, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 • Belmont County General Health District – 68501 Bannock Road, S.R. 331, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 • Heartland-Lansing Nursing Center – 68222 Commercial Drive, Bridgeport, OH 43912 • Shadyside Care Center – 60583 S.R. 7, Shadyside, OH 43947 • Barnesville Health Care Center – 400 Carrie Avenue, Barnesville, OH 43713 • Crestview Health Care Center – 68737 Bannock Road, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 • Park Health Center – 100 Pine Avenue, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 • WIC Program Offices – 45240 National Road West, St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Educational Facilities
Belmont County and the surrounding region are home to a multitude of higher educational facilities which are another major destination for transit users. Exhibit II.18 illustrates the locations of Education Facilities. Educational facilities include the following institutions:
• Ohio University Eastern (OUE) - The Eastern Campus is one of five (5) regional campuses of the University serving the residents of Southeastern Ohio. The campus is located on a hilltop off of Exit 213 on Interstate 70, near St.Clairsville, Ohio. The Campus has grown to over 1100 students. • Belmont Technical College • Bethany College • West Liberty State College • West Virginia Northern Community College • Wheeling Jesuit University • Belmont/Harrison Vocational School District - The school provides vocational education to 425 students at the St. Clairsville facility (Belmont County) and 110 students at the Harrison County facility. The school provides vocational career education and training for high school students. • Franciscan University at Steubenville • Jefferson Community College
Belmont County also has seven (7) school districts:
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• Barnesville Exempted Village School District • Bellaire Local • Belmont County Educational Service Center • Bridgeport Exempted Village • Martins Ferry City • Shadyside Local • St. Clairsville-Richland City • Union Local High School.
Within these districts, eighteen (18) elementary, four (4) middle and seven (7) high schools are in operation. The Diocese of Steubenville oversees the parochial school system, which operates four (4) elementary and one central high school in the County. There are several private schools located in the County.
Belmont County’s public libraries provide a coordinated network of services and library materials to every part of the County. The Martins Ferry Public Library serves as the county extension library in Martins Ferry, OH. Six (6) branch libraries are located in Bethesda, Bridgeport, Flushing, Neffs, Powhatan Point and Shadyside. Additionally, the Barnesville Public Library, the Bellaire Public Library, and the St. Clairsville Public Library provide materials and services within their extended communities.
Government Facilities and Commercial Centers
Exhibit II.19 provides a geographic view of the location for the following government facilities and commercial centers.
• Belmont County Offices – 101 W. Main Street, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 • Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services – 310 Fox-Shannon Place, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 • Mental Health Recovery Board – 99 North Sugar Street, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 • Oakview Juvenile Residential Center – 67701 Oakview Road, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 • County Court, Eastern Division – 400 West 26th Street, Suite 100, Bellaire, OH 43906 • County Court, Northern Division – 401 Walnut Street, Martins Ferry, OH 43935 • County Court, Western Division – 147 W. Main Street, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 • Belmont County Adult Probation - 103 N. Market St., St. Clairsville, OH 43950
II - 21 Holloway Flushing Yorkville
Martins Ferry
40 St. Clairsville Brookside Bridgeport Morristown Fairview 70 470
Neffs Belmont Bethesda Bellaire
Barnesville
Shadyside
Somerton 7
Wilson Powhatan Point
Exhibit II.17: Medical and Nursing Facilities
II-2 2 Medical Facilities Nursing/Assisted Living Homes Belmont County Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan Holloway Flushing Yorkville
Martins Ferry
40 St. Clairsville Brookside Bridgeport Morristown Fairview 70 470
Neffs Belmont Bethesda Bellaire
Barnesville
Shadyside
Somerton 7
Wilson Powhatan Point
Exhibit II.18: Education Facilities II-2 3 Educational Facilities Belmont County Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan Holloway Flushing Yorkville
Martins Ferry
40 St. Clairsville Brookside Bridgeport Morristown Fairview 70 470
Neffs Belmont Bethesda Bellaire
Barnesville
Shadyside
Somerton 7
Wilson Powhatan Point
Exhibit II.19: Government Facilities II-2 4 Government Facilities Belmont County Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan
III. COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND INVENTORY OF EXISTING CONDITIONS
OVERVIEW
An initial step in coordination of existing transportation and expanding to improve service is to complete an inventory of existing resources. RLS & Associates made several attempts to contact transportation providers, nonprofit organizations, private organizations, older adult facilities, human service agencies, and the general public throughout Belmont County during the planning process. The response rate from local organizations determines the comprehensiveness of the inventory. Therefore, this document is not a comprehensive source of all of the organizations serving Belmont County residents.
The following summaries include a description of local outreach activities completed for this plan, and transportation services provided by the organizations that have participated in the planning process to date.
An understanding of vehicle utilization and financial information is necessary prior to implementation of new coordinated approaches to service for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with low incomes. The summary table at the end of this chapter provides an overview of the vehicle inventories, hours of service, passenger eligibility, and funding sources for each of the participating organizations (where information was provided by those organizations).
ODOT’s criteria for eligible applicants to the Section 5316 and 5317 programs is as follows:
• Public entities providing public transit services; • Private, nonprofit entities designated by county commissioners to provide public transit services; or, • Public entities that are recipients of the Ohio Coordination Program.
Criteria for eligible applicants to Section 5310 are as follows:
• Private, nonprofit (501(c) (3)) corporations; • Public bodies identified by the state as lead agencies in a coordination project; or, • Public bodies which certify that no private, nonprofit corporations exist within their jurisdiction for the provision of elderly and disabled transportation.
Organizations that participated in this planning process but do not have an operating status to qualify as eligible applicants for grant funding may find it appropriate to partner, or contract, with an eligible applicant in order to achieve the coordinated transportation goals.
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COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
February 25, 2008 – Phase 1 Project Kick-off Meeting for General Public
The project kick-off meeting was hosted by Belomar Regional Council on February 25, 2008 at the Community Room at the Ohio Valley Mall. The meeting was open to the general public and all transportation stakeholders. A public notice for the meeting was published in the Times Leader newspaper on February 19, 2008. Copies of the public notice, meeting invitation, agenda, invitation mailing list, and sign-in sheets are provided in the Appendix.
Meeting invitations were mailed to 48 individuals. The following organizations were represented at the project kick-off meeting.
• Brookside Village Council • Brookside Mayor • Community Action Commission of Belmont County • Bridgeport/Barnsville Manor • National Church Residences • Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services • Park Health Center • Eastern Ohio RTA • Community Mental Health Services • Stone House Apartments • Belomar Regional Council
Belco Works was unable to attend the meeting. However, information was provided by that organization at a later date.
Coordination Assessment Tool
The coordination assessment tool was distributed to 143 individuals representing local governments, human service agencies, older adult facilities, private organizations, individuals with low-incomes, schools, and faith based organizations. Each organization was invited to complete the survey. Questions for the assessment tool were based upon the United We Ride Framework for Action. The assessment tool/survey was intended to provide an opportunity for organizations to describe their services and provide input about the unmet transportation needs and gaps in service for older adults, individuals with low incomes, and individuals with disabilities. A sample of the survey instrument is provided in the Appendix. Survey results are provided in the Inventory of Services section of this chapter.
March 18, 2008 – Local Coordinated Transportation Planning Meeting
A local meeting was conducted at the Community Room at the Ohio Valley Mall on March 18, 2008 for local stakeholders and community representatives. The meeting was open to the general public. The purpose of the meeting was to review the purpose of this project and discuss the benefits of transportation that should be achieved, and the changes that should be avoided
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through coordination. The aspects of existing services that should be preserved or eliminated through the implementation of coordination strategies were also discussed. Results of the meeting are provided in Chapter IV. A meeting agenda and sign-in sheet are provided in the Appendix. The following organizations were represented at the local meeting:
• Community Action Commission of Belmont County • Belmont Dodge Crysler Jeep & Chamber of Commerce • Village of Barnsville • National Church Residence • Barnsville Mannor • Bridgeport Mannor • Barnsville Taxi Service • Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services • Connections • Bel-o-Mar Regional Council • Belmont County Department of Development • Belmont Senior Services • Community Mental Health Services • Belco Works/Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities • Eastern Ohio RTA
One-on-One Interviews
One-on-one interviews were conducted with several local organizations throughout the planning process in an effort to obtain more detailed information about the existing service structures and unmet consumer needs for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and individuals earning low incomes.
Public Opinion
A public survey instrument was designed and distributed through select participating organizations that represent older adults, individuals with disabilities, and individuals earning low incomes. The survey was designed to obtain input from the general public about the existing transportation services and to identify gaps in transportation that is currently being provided in Belmont County.
Approximately 200 surveys were distributed through the selected human service organizations as well as the Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville. Results of the surveys were considered during the development of goals and strategies. A copy of the survey instrument and summary of results are included in the Appendix.
INVENTORY OF EXISTING SERVICES
The following summaries reflect the survey and/or interview results from organizations that participated in the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan. For each organization listed, an attempt was made to determine the agency’s eligibility as an applicant for
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FTA Sections 5310, 5316, or 5317 funding based on identification of the organization’s legal operating status, or designation as a public transportation provider. Any of the following organizations, would still be responsible for developing an eligible project and submitting an application, which would meet the applicable Federal and State requirements for each program in order to receive funding.
Summary of Services
National Church Residences is a nonprofit agency that contracts with Lutheran Social Services to be the service coordinator for the Stone House Place in Bridgeport. It provides social services, and informational/referral services for residents. Specifically, the residents of the community include individuals with disabilities, older adults, and individuals receiving Medicaid.
Stone House Place does not provide any direct transportation services. However, the complex makes referrals to other agencies for residents’ transportation needs and provides information on available transportation services in the community. Residents are referred to Advantage Van (public paratransit service) and Belmont Senior Services. The complex has 46 consumers that have recently needed transportation. All of these consumers have a disability, or are Medicaid recipients or older adults.
The National Church Residences indicated that the greatest constraints to mobility in the area are: limited service area, limited services times, high cost of service, high fares and mobility issues. The three target population groups (persons with disabilities, older adults, and low income) greatest unmet needs are greater geographic coverage, extended hours, and eligibility for both trips and consumers. Currently, it is participating in the coordination efforts by providing a service coordinator for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
The National Church Residences indicated the most significant improvements needed to enhance mobility is as follows:
• Decrease the advance reservation requirement from two weeks to forty-eight hours for transportation to doctor appointments. • More affordable or no cost transportation for older adults and individuals with disabilities. • More transportation for shopping and other personal reasons such as hair appointments. • More accommodations for wheelchairs and scooters.
The National Church Residences indicated the local and State officials should support coordination through additional grants and funding.
Community Action Commission (CAC) of Belmont County is a private, non-profit organization that provides social services for the residents of Belmont County. Consumers are primarily individuals with disabilities, older adults, agency/program consumers and low-income Medicaid recipients.
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Four (4) agency-owned vans, including two (2) that are wheelchair accessible operate a daily demand response service. Transportation consumers must be income or age eligible to access services. The agency requests a 72- hour advance reservation, but will accommodate less notice if possible. Consumers may use the service once a week with the exception of dialysis patients. Dialysis patients may use the service as often as required for medical purposes. The majority of the trip destinations are in Belmont County and medical facilities in Wheeling, West Virginia. However, the agency has transported consumers to Columbus, Morgantown, West Virginia; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The organization employs one individual that is dedicated 100 percent to transportation.
Community Action Commission of Belmont County has a $105,000 (est.) annual transportation budget. Funding for transportation is derived from multiple sources which include Title XX, Community Service Block Grant (CSBG), a contract with Community Mental Health and other small miscellaneous contracts.
In total, the organization has approximately 308 consumers with transportation needs. The majority of these consumers qualify as low income. In addition to the agency-sponsored transportation, consumers most commonly use public transit and senior services to meet their transportation needs. The CAC indicated that the greatest constraints to increased mobility are limited service area, limited service times, limited eligibility and funding shortfalls.
Coordination involvement on the part of the agency includes sharing service information, policies, and procedures with other agencies, contracting with other social service agencies, co- mingling of consumers from different contracts and occasionally, providing a trip for another agency. Community Action Commission has a strong interest in additional coordination activities within Belmont County and surrounding areas. The agency indicated the greatest unmet needs for individuals with low incomes are extended hours, greater geographic coverage, expanded eligibility, and employment transportation. The CAC’s greatest challenges to coordinating mobility services are billing and accounting issues, resistance among providers, restrictions placed on the use of vehicles, and liability insurance.
Barnesville Taxi Service LLC is a taxi company based out of Barnesville, Ohio. It provides transportation services for the general public in Belmont, Monroe, Noble, Guernsey, and Harrison counties. It is a private, for-profit company and the fleet does not include wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Barnesville Taxi Service provides transportation to approximately 116 individuals each month. A total of 1,000 round trips are provided annually.
Barnesville Taxi Service has a contract with Belmont County to provide transportation for Belmont County Department of Job and Family Service and Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities (BCBDD) on a limited basis. The company also contracts with managed care providers to provide trips that include destinations to Columbus and Cleveland.
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Fares for the general public and the Belmont County contract are as follows:
Fares: One-Way Within Barnesville Outside of Barnesville $5.00 $1.75 per mile with a wait time charge of $10.00 per hour
The company would like to be involved with a coordination plan and activities. The greatest challenge for Barnesville Taxi Service to implementing coordination in the area is the resistance from transportation providers to share resources.
Park Health Center is a county operated nursing facility that provides transportation, health care, social services, nutrition and recreational service for residents. Specifically, the consumers of these services include individuals with disabilities, older adults, people with low-incomes, and Medicaid recipients.
Approximately 60 residents have transportation needs. The transportation aide, which is also the driver, schedules the residents’ medical appointments. On occasion, the nursing home contracts with Neff’s Emergency Transport to provide a trip. The medical trips include in-state destinations to Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati while out-of-state destinations include Morgantown and Wheeling, West Virginia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Park Health Center Activities Department provides recreational transportation for the residents. The nursing home provides two or three trips per day for medical related purposes. All the consumers transported require wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Park Health Center coordinates transportation with the Veteran’s Administration (VA) for providing veteran’s trip to the Pittsburgh Veteran’s hospital. Belco Crafts, a shelter workshop, provides employment related trips for two of the Park Health Center residents.
The Park Health Center administrator is strongly interested in coordination. The agency indicated that, due to the fragile and wheelchair bound passengers, an aide is needed on the vehicle. It would like to be involved in a coordinated transportation effort to share information that can result in coordination for long distance trips with other providers.
Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services (BCDJFS) administers Ohio Works First (OWF), Medicaid, child support, children services, and workforce investment programs. The department serves all of Belmont County. Individuals that are eligible for any of these programs are eligible for in-house transportation services or may receive referrals to other transportation providers. Individuals may receive transportation services as stated in the Belmont County’s Prevention, Retention and Contingency (PRC) Plan, TANF Transportation Work Allowance, Title XX Transportation and Medicaid Transportation. Approximately, 375 DJFS consumers need transportation.
Connections is the One Stop employment center operated by Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services. Partners at Connections include BCDJFS, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, Veterans Employment Services, Senior
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Employment, Community Action of Belmont County, Mid-East Career and Technology Centers, and Belmont Technical College. These partners provide services to job seekers and businesses. Services for job seekers include WIA training assistance, lists of job openings, free Internet access for job search, Labor Market Information, training provider and financial aid information, career assessment and many other services. Services for businesses include a source to post jobs and find qualified applicants, Labor Market Information, a place to interview, a computer- training lab and more. Connections serve all job seekers regardless of income and income eligible youth.
Belmont County DJFS indicated that the greatest constraint to increased mobility in the area is limited service area, service times, eligibility, trip purposes, high service costs, and funding shortfalls. The greatest unmet need is extended hours.
Coordination involvement on the part of the agency includes sharing service information, policies, and procedures with other agencies, purchasing transportation services, and past participation on a coordination committee. The department has a strong interest in additional coordination activities within Belmont County. The agency indicated the greatest challenges to coordinating mobility services are resistance among organizations to share resources and information and unique characteristics of consumer populations. The department has no plans to expand or enhance transportation due to limited funding.
Lansing Apartments is a housing complex that is subsidized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The complex has 92 units for older adults and individuals with disabilities and 34 units for families with low incomes. A service coordinator is employed through the Senior Independence Program, which is a HUD program. The Service Coordinator is an advocate for the older adults and residents that have disabilities. The service coordinator links residents with other social services including transportation. The complex has 126 residents with transportation needs.
The residents are referred to the Committee on Aging Transportation, Community Action Commission of Belmont County, Ohio Valley Regional Transit Authority, and Wheeling Hospital. Belco Crafts, Incorporated provides all transportation needs for consumers residing in the complex that are eligible for Belco Crafts services. According to the Service Coordinator, the greatest constraints to increased mobility are; limited service areas and hours of service for transportation providers, consumer eligibility and trip purpose restrictions, and high fares. In addition, the two-to-three weeks advance notice as required by the Committee on Aging for trips to doctors’ appointments limits the residents’ mobility.
The Service Coordinator requested the public transit vehicle make a stop at the complex in order for the older adults and individuals with disabilities to access public transit. The current bus stop is approximately quarter of mile from the complex.
The Complex participates in coordination through sharing information with other agencies. The complex has a moderate interest in coordination. Funding is greatest challenge for implementing coordination in the area.
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Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities (BCBDD) funds or provides services to 322 adults, ages 22 and older, including senior citizens. Self-determination is the Board’s guiding principle in coordinating services for people with developmental disabilities. Self- determination gives people with disabilities choice and control over their lives. In many cases, their needs are met and satisfaction achieved through community resources. The Board supports their goals to expand or develop vocational, residential, recreational, and other opportunities in the community.
Transportation services are critical to the achievement of these goals for people with disabilities. Indeed, transportation services help people with disabilities and older adults become or remain productive and active members of the community. The Board’s fleet contains 10 light transit vehicles that travel nearly 1,600 miles per day serving individuals with disabilities and older adults who live across Belmont County. The county contains many rural regions where public transportation services are not available. This means the Board provides or funds transportation services to work, medical appointments, meetings, polling locations, social events and other activities across Belmont County.
The Belmont County Board of Developmental Disabilities participates in the following coordination efforts:
• Educates individuals about public transportation by referring them to OVRTA and Barnesville Taxi Service; • Provides drivers and vehicles or permits drivers from other agencies to operate BCBDD- owned vehicles. Agreements for this coordinated effort are held between BCBDD and the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, Belmont County Emergency Management Association, Country Club Retirement Center, Eastern Ohio Housing Developmental Corporation, Sunrise Acres Ranch, Paramount Support Services, ResCare, and Belco Works; • Provides or purchases services under contract with Belmont County Sheriff’s Office, Country Club Retirement Center, and Paramount Support Services; • Provides back up service to Belmont County Emergency Management Association; • Cooperative agreement with the Emergency Management Association in providing for the sale of fuel; • Shared vehicle storage with Belmont County Community Action Commission; and, • Shared costs of vehicle insurance with Belmont County Risk Sharing Authority.
Another way the Board meets the transportation needs of the people it serves is through the Specialized Transportation program. By acquiring grant vehicles through this program, the Board has been able to expand transportation services to those served and maintain services by replacing old vehicles with high mileage.
The Board of Developmental Disabilities welcomes collaboration and a coordinated approach between county agencies to meet the transportation needs of Belmont County citizens. BCBDD supports the development of a coordinated transportation structure where information, scheduling, and dispatching duties are shared among all participating organizations.
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Belmont County Senior Services is a private, nonprofit organization serving older adults in Belmont County. Senior Services operates seven (7) senior centers. Senior services operates a transportation department with a fleet of vehicles designated for consumer transportation.
Belmont County Veterans’ Services utilizes a services coordinator and provides transportation within the county and to out-of-county destinations for Veterans.
Eastern Ohio Regional Transportation Authority (EORTA) is the public transportation provider for Belmont and Jefferson counties. The EORTA services are operated by the Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority in Wheeling, West Virginia. Belmont and Jefferson Counties are part of the Wheeling, WV urbanized area.
EORTA operates four (4) fixed routes (Blaine and Mall; Shadyside; Martins Ferry/Yorkville; and Martins Ferry/Rayland). A route map is provided in Exhibit III.1. Service hours are approximately 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The fares to ride the fixed route service are $1.30 for regular riders and $0.65 for the elderly and disabled. Bus passes are available for $42.00 for regular riders and for $21.00 for the elderly and disabled and students.
EORTA also operates an ADA complementary paratransit service within 1.5 miles of its fixed routes. This service is called AdVANtage and operates during the same hours as the fixed route service. Service is curb-to-curb, advanced reservation (one day advance notice required) and is open to persons who qualify as paratransit eligible under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The fare for this service is $2.60 per person. Personal care attendants ride for free.
EORTA has six (6) active fleet buses and two (2) vans which are used for the paratransit service. Types of vehicles include 35 ft. Nova RTS buses, under 30 ft. Pacer GCII buses and Ford converted vans.
The transit authority provided 116,912 one-way passenger trips on its fixed route service from October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007. Of those trips, 38,016 were senior citizens or 32.5% of its ridership and 573 were persons in wheelchairs. EORTA also provided 4,123 trips on its AdVANtage paratransit service for persons with disabilities. There are approximately 380 eligible users with EORTA’s service area for the paratransit service.
Other community transportation services which EORTA staff noted that passengers use include the Belmont County CAC, the Belmont County Council on Aging, Belmont County MR/DD and a taxi company in Wheeling.
EORTA identified that the greatest constraints to increased mobility for its transit system are a limited service area and time schedule, a funding shortfall and the high cost of providing service. The greatest transportation needs for persons with disabilities, older adults and low-income persons are greater geographic coverage and better hours of service.
As part of its coordination efforts, EORTA currently shares information, policies and procedures with other agencies and accepts trip tokens from Belmont County Department of Job and Family
III - 9 Exhibit III-1: EORTA/OVRTA Transit Map
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Services. EORTA staff plan to lead and/or participate in some type of county coordination committee or council.
Significant improvements needed to enhance coordination and improve mobility in Belmont County include finding a coordination “champion”; overcoming the inertia to maintain the status quo; and having a willingness to mix at least a portion of various client groups.
Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) would be a route to Belmont Technical College and other educational facilities. This route could include stops at BCDJFS, Belco Works, malls, industrial parks, and the prison.
EORTA is also interested in information about joint procurement of tires opportunities that could be achieved through coordination of services. Joint procurement could potentially reduce expenses associated with operation of transportation for all organizations that participate.
Community Mental Health Services (CMHS) is a private non-profit agency located at 68353 Bannock Road in St. Clairsville. The service area includes the Counties of Belmont, Harrison, and Monroe. The agency provides health care, counseling, day treatment, diagnosis/evaluation, residential and information/referral services for adults, children, and adolescents. Residential services include Four Oaks, a group home in St. Clairsville, which provides a structured residential program for adult residents transitioning to independent living in the community. In addition, Commodore Courts, located in Barnesville, provides independent living apartments for adults.
Community Mental Health operates one van (purchased through Whitesides) for the group home and outings. It also operates two vans for adult partial programs. Transportation is provided via a flex route, advanced reservation schedule for agency clients only. Case managers or Community Mental Health drivers provide transportation for consumers. Additionally, contract transportation providers are hired through a common broker to provide transportation services to CMHS clients. Funding for the transportation service is through the Medicaid-funded adult hospitalization program.
During the school year, districts bring students to Community Mental Health for programs. But, during Summer months school districts cannot provide that transportation. Agency consumers (children) also utilize the Belmont County CAC for transportation services along the riverfront daily at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Community Mental Health notes that service during the Summer months for children in outlying areas of Belmont County is a significant unmet need.
Furthermore, the organization notes that transportation to psychological and medical appointments is a barrier for many individuals with low incomes. Community Mental Health case managers often work overtime to provide this much needed transportation because no other resources are available for the consumers.
The greatest constraints to increased mobility are limited service area for public transit and limited service area and times for local non-profit agencies. According to CMHS, the greatest unmet transportation need for individuals with disabilities is greater geographic coverage.
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The agency has a strong interest in coordinating transportation services. The greatest challenges for them to implement coordination are liability/insurance concerns and billing/accounting issues. CMHS cited the most significant improvements needed to enhance coordination in Belmont County are a central location, improved communication and equal access.
Neffs Non-Emergency Transport is a transportation service operated by Neffs Volunteer Fire Department. The Fire Department started operating non-emergency, demand response transportation service in 2005. The service area includes all of Belmont County. Trip purposes are primarily limited to medical appointments and non-emergency hospital visits. Last year, the organization provided over 5,000 non-emergency trips.
Neffs receives reimbursement from consumer insurance companies, Medicaid, directly from the consumer, or a contract with Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services. The majority of service consists of referrals from nursing homes or the Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services.
Neffs realizes that many consumers need transportation to grocery stores and other personal appointments, but they have no affordable transportation options for these trip purposes. If additional funding were available, Neffs indicated that affordable transportation in the rural areas of Belmont County to grocery stores and personal appointments should be implemented.
Ohio Hills Health Services is a private non-profit organization which provides comprehensive and preventative health care services to Belmont, Monroe and Harrison County residents. Health services offered encompass internal medicine, family practice, preventative care, patient education, shots for tots, case management and financial assistance. Their clients include individuals with disabilities, older adults, low-income individuals, and other agency clients. Service hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Ohio Hills has a facility located at 101 East Main Street in Barnesville, Ohio which specifically serves the Barnesville area in Belmont County. The Executive Director of Ohio Hills estimates that approximately 600 of their clients in Barnesville require transportation services. This number includes 50 individuals with disabilities, 100 older adults, 200 low-income individuals, 200 Medicaid recipients, and 50 other agency program clients.
Ohio Hills does not provide transportation directly to its clients but provides them with information about and referrals to other transportation providers. The most commonly used transportation options by clients include Belmont County Community Action Commission, the Senior Citizens Center, Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services, and a local taxi company. The local taxis appear to be the most useful transportation option for individuals with disabilities, older adults and low-income individuals. According to the Executive Director of the organization, the greatest constraints to increased mobility are; limited service area and times and high fares for taxi services; limited service area, times, eligibility and funding for area non-profit services; and limited eligibility and trip purposes for local human service agencies.
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According to agency personnel, the greatest unmet transportation need in Belmont County for all groups (individuals with disabilities, older adults, low-income) was the need for greater geographic coverage of services.
Ohio Hills Health Services currently shares information, policies, and procedures with other agencies and coordinates with Belmont County CAC. The greatest challenge to implementing coordination/mobility improvement strategies for Ohio Hills is the unique characteristics of its client population.
Ohio Hills Health Services Building 101 East Main Street, Barnesville, Ohio
Summary Table
The following summary tables provide a brief overview of transportation provided by the organizations discussed in this chapter.
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Name Service Passenger Service Description Hours of Fleet Funding Sources Type Eligibility Service Information for Transportation National Church Senior Individuals with Provide HUD subsidized N/A No Vehicles Community based Residences – residential disabilities, older housing, advocacy, and nonprofit Stone House facility, social adults, low- information/referral, Apartments service income/Medicaid recipients, Information and Referral service for residents
Lansing HUD Individuals with Provide senior housing, N/A No Vehicles HUD subsidized and Apartment subsidized disabilities, older social services, Senior Independence Complex housing adults, low- information/referral, Program through HUD complex income/Medicaid recipients, Information and Referral service for older adults and individuals with disabilities III -14
Name Service Passenger Service Description Hours of Fleet Funding Sources Type Eligibility Service Information for Transportation
Community Demand Older adults, One trip per week with the Mon.-Fri.: Non-accessible: Operating Revenue: Action response low-income, exception of dialysis 7AM-4: 30PM 2 vans Community Service Commission of agency/program patients. Trip purposes are Block Grant, Title XX, Belmont County clients. for medical or social Wheelchair minimal Medicaid and services. accessible: contracts. 2 vans
Barnesville Taxi Taxi Service General Public, Provides Taxi services to Mon.-Fri.: Non-accessible: Private, for profit Service LLC not accessible Belmont, Monroe, Noble, 8AM-5:00PM 5 sedans Guernsey, and Harrison Monitors 1 minivans counties. telephone and will provide after hours same day service on a call by call basis
After Hours and Weekends: Upon special request
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Name Service Passenger Service Description Hours of Fleet Funding Sources Type Eligibility Service Information for Transportation
Park Health County Residents of an Provides transportation for Medical Wheelchair Center Operated nursing home consumers to/from transportation- Accessible: Nursing residential facilities for Mon.-Fri.: 2 vans Facility medical appointments. 6AM-4PM Provides recreational Recreational – transportation for residents. Varies
Belmont County Social Service Ohio Works First Directly operate human Direct Service 5 minivans Local Government Department of Agency individuals and services agency Hours - Mon.- department Job and Family Medicaid transportation services and Fri.: Services recipients purchases transportation 7AM-4: 30 PM service from other social service agencies. Provide gasoline vouchers to consumers for transportation on a case-by- case basis. Belmont County Human Consumers – Directly operate consumer Hours vary. 4 accessible 16 Section 5310; Title XX; Board of MRDD Service Individuals with transportation- Demand General passenger/2 Grants; Donations; Agency Disabilities. Response and Fixed Route. Service is wheelchair Agency Funds; from: capacity vehicles. Community Action 6AM- 10PM Commission Belmont County Senior Center Older Adults Directly operate Hours very. Title IIIB-Area Agency Senior Services transportation on Aging; local Tax Levy Belmont County Veterans’ Veterans Directly operate Hours vary. Volunteers Veterans’ Services Veterans’ Services transportation. Services III -16
Name Service Passenger Service Description Hours of Fleet Funding Sources Type Eligibility Service Information for Transportation
Eastern Ohio Public General Public Fixed Route and Mon.-Sat.: 6 buses Federal & State Public RTA Transportation Paratransit. 6AM-6PM 2 wheelchair Transit Assistance; accessible vans. State Elderly & Disabled Assistance; Dedicated Property Tax 1.5 mills; and, Passenger Fares. Community Human Agency Directly operate demand Hours vary. 3 vans Mental Health Board & Mental Health Service Consumers response & flexible route Medicaid Agency & (children and transportation. Independent adults) Contract with other Living Facility organizations for consumer transportation. Neffs Non- Non- General Public is Directly operate demand Hours vary. 3 accessible vans. Medicaid; Consumer Emergency emergency eligible for response non-emergency 5 Ambulance Insurance; BCJDFS Transport Medical medical trips in medical transportation. contracts. Transportation Belmont County. Primarily, referrals from nursing homes or BCDJFS. Ohio Hills Preventive Individuals with N/A Mon.-Fri. None. Private, nonprofit Health Services Health Care Disabilities, 8:30AM-5PM serving multiple Building Services Older Adults, counties. Individuals with low incomes. III -17
IV. NEEDS ASSESSMENT
PHASE 1
This is where the action of coordinating transportation resources begins. Discussions during the Phase 1 local meetings focused on identifying the current unmet transportation needs or gaps that exist in the existing selection of services. During meetings and interviews, participants outlined several aspects of transportation that should be preserved; changes that should be avoided; and, service that should be achieved. Through the group discussion atmosphere, organizations were able to share their individual assessments of transportation needs, and hear about needs from the perspective of other agencies. The following outline provides the foundation for action provided by stakeholders in Belmont County.
Preserve
Coordinating resources will bring about improvements to transportation in the area. Aspects of the current services that stakeholders want to preserve when coordination efforts are implemented are outlined below.
• Existing Public Transportation Service Provided by EORTA – EORTA fixed route and complimentary paratransit provides a valuable service for the area. Coordination efforts should enhance the service provided by EORTA, while preserving the effective service aspects of the system. • CAC Summer Program Transportation – The contract for the CAC Summer Program is valuable and should be preserved. The CAC would like to see the program expanded so that consumers with low incomes that live in outlying areas can also be served. • Referral Process – The simplicity of the current referral processes should be preserved. • Consumer Confidentiality – Some aspects of consumer information must remain private per HIPPA regulations. Other consumer confidentiality issues are consumer preference. The ability to make certain information confidential should be preserved in any coordinated transportation system. • Taxi Service – Cost effective contracts established with the taxi provider to operate dialysis and BCBDD trips should be maintained during the coordination efforts. • Service to the Ohio Valley Mall – It is important to preserve the public transportation service for the Ohio Valley Mall to support opportunities for employment and shopping. This service is valuable to older adults, individuals with disabilities, individuals with low incomes, and the general public. • Flexibility – It is important to preserve the ability for consumers and agencies to schedule demand response trips with short advance notice, and also to use the fixed route services. • Transportation for Dialysis – It is important to preserve the available transportation options to and from dialysis treatments.
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Eliminate
There are aspects of current services that must be preserved in a successful coordination effort, and, of course, there are also aspects that should be eliminated. The aspects for elimination are outlined below.
• Barriers to Cross-County Service – Transportation providers and consumers would like to implement a coordinated transportation effort that allows providers to transport passengers across county boundaries and to out-of-county destinations for any trip purpose. • Case Managers Providing Transportation – Many organizations indicated that case managers spend time providing consumer transportation, which takes them away from the primary mission. In some instances, case managers are paid over-time because they must provide consumer transportation. • Overlap in Service – Transportation providers would like to implement a route that operates on a schedule and could be utilized for multiple trip purposes. The route and schedule should be developed so as to reduce duplications in service provided by multiple organizations. Ultimately, organizations hope to reduce fuel costs by reducing duplicate trips with this route. • Transportation Barriers to Employment – Transportation providers and human service agencies indicated a need to expand transportation in an effort to serve employment locations within Belmont County and outside of the county. The current operating hours and geographic area of service are barriers to employment related transportation. • Gaps in Communication Between Providers - Organizations would like to achieve an improved system for communicating the service hours, service area, schedule, and consumer eligibility. Improved communication will improve the referral process and ultimately reduce duplications in service. • Restrictions on Funding and Vehicles – Organizations would like to educate transportation funders and service providers about the possibilities for coordinating vehicle schedules, sharing vehicles, and sharing trips that are not restricted by funding requirements. They would also like to educate funders about the real and increasing needs to overcome the restrictions that limit sharing of resources or cross-boundary trips. • Excessive Advance Reservation Requirements – Currently, certain medical trips must be scheduled weeks in advance. Organizations would like to reduce the advance-reservation requirement to a more reasonable and flexible level so that consumers can better utilize services that are available to them. • Managed Care Broker System – Local stakeholders emphasize the importance of avoiding any managed care broker systems in Belmont County.
Achieve - Goals
The participating organizations indicated several goals for the coordinated effort. Goals that organizations would like to achieve through coordination are listed below.
• Retain Jobs for Current Transportation Staff – Coordination efforts to reduce duplications should be done with consideration of retaining the transportation related jobs (i.e., schedulers, dispatchers, drivers) for employees of each participating organization.
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• More Transportation for Appointments, Quality of Life, and Visits to Family/Friends and Nursing Homes – Coordinated transportation efforts should expand upon the availability of service for general quality of life (i.e., grocery stores, shopping), and personal, non-medical appointments. • Reduce Vehicle Maintenance Costs – Coordination efforts should include a plan for sharing vehicle maintenance services and/or facilities to reduce the overall preventive maintenance costs for participating organizations. • Reduce Insurance Costs – Organizations would like to explore opportunities for joint procurement of insurance. • More Service with Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles – There is a need for more wheelchair accessible vehicles in Belmont County to serve individuals with disabilities and older adults. • Ability for Individuals to “Age in Place” – Organizations would like to improve services for older adults so that they can remain in their homes and live independently for as long as possible. • Reduce Wait Times – Individuals are unable to wait for extended periods of time for return trips after medical appointments. Organizations would like to achieve coordination efforts that would reduce wait times for return trips. • Transportation for Anyone, Regardless of Age – Individuals who have low incomes but do not meet the minimum age eligibility requirement for human service agency transportation providers sometimes fall through the gaps in service. Coordination efforts should include an affordable transportation option for individuals who do not qualify for older adult transportation. • Voucher Programs – Organizations would like to achieve a voucher program to provide transportation for individuals with low incomes. • User-Friendly Service – The coordinated transportation effort should be easy to use and not intimidating for current transportation passengers and new passengers. • Access to Education Facilities and Employment – Transportation providers recognize a growing need to provide transportation to employment and education facilities in Belmont County and the surrounding areas. • Centralized Access to Information – Organizations would like to achieve a centralized, ‘one stop’ resource for information about each transportation provider’s eligibility requirements, hours of operation, and service area. • Centralized Dispatching – Organizations would like to explore the possibility of implementing a central dispatch center. The dispatch center would schedule and dispatch trips for all participating organizations. • Greater Geographic Coverage – More transportation options for the outlying areas of Belmont County are needed. Currently, the rural areas are underserved.
Avoid
Finally, there were a few points to specifically avoid when developing the coordinated efforts. Those points are outlined below.
• Duplications of Service – While some duplications are necessary due to unique consumer situations, it is important that all unnecessary duplications in service are eliminated and avoided through coordination efforts.
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• Turf Issues – Organizations would like to avoid creating resistance among transportation providers, human service agencies, and local government organizations during discussions of sharing resources to achieve goals. • Reductions in the Trusting Relationship with Consumers – Consumers are accustomed to special attention and care. It is important that the level of individual attention to the consumers remains a top priority during any coordination of services. In particular, many older and/or frail individuals trust particular drivers and schedulers. Such trusting relationships are important to specialized transportation and must be maintained.
PHASE 2
Because of the gap in time between Phase 1 and Phase 2 of this Coordinated Human Services- Public Transportation Plan, a second local meeting was conducted in Belmont County. The meeting was open to the general public and was held at the Community Room at the Ohio Valley Mall. Notices for the meeting were printed in The Times Leader newspaper on July 3, 2009. Meeting announcements and a list of meeting attendees are included in the Appendix.
During the meeting, the facilitator reviewed the findings from Phase 1 and invited participants to provide feedback and updates. Meeting participants agreed that the unmet transportation needs documented during Phase 1 remain relevant. Next, the meeting participants were asked to utilize the list of unmet transportation needs and gaps in service and to prioritize their goals for meeting needs and filling gaps through coordination. The overriding goal for the stakeholders is for all coordinated transportation participants to be willing to coordinate. To show that they can be efficient, save money, open new doors, and show leadership.
The following eight (8) priorities were established during the public outreach process:
1. Expand service hours to support employment, medical services, personal appointments, and general quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities, individuals with low incomes, and the general public in Belmont County. 2. Improve communications between transportation providers. 3. Improve accessibility of services for older adults and people with disabilities by expanding the number of wheelchair accessible vehicles and offering a passenger aide to assist frail passengers while they are using coordinated and public transportation. 4. Improve transportation options that support employment opportunities in Belmont County and the surrounding areas by implementing an affordable service to Belmont Technical College, other educational facilities, Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services, Belco Works (BCBDD), shopping malls, industrial parks, and the prison. 5. Create a centralized resource for scheduling, dispatching, and information referrals. 6. Work with surrounding counties to improve regional transportation options and reduce costs associated with providing long distance trips. 7. Explore and pursue joint procurement opportunities. 8. Expand the service area for public transportation by implementing a coordinated service that will serve the rural areas and small communities of Belmont County.
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Further discussion of these priorities and the goals and strategies to achieve them are provided in Chapter V of this document.
CHALLENGES TO COORDINATION
While there are challenges to implementing coordination among varied transportation providers, services, and funding sources, it is important to note that transportation coordination is being successfully implemented throughout the country, including in Ohio. Therefore, issues such as conflicting or restrictive State and Federal guidelines for the use of funding and vehicles, insurance and liability, and unique needs presented by the different populations served, to name a few, should challenge, but not stop, a coordination effort. There are many resources available to assist communities as they work together to coordinate transportation. FTA’s Framework for Action and ODOT’s Handbook for Coordinating Transportation Services and A Guide for Implementing Coordinated Transportation Systems are just a few examples. FTA’s Framework for Action is available at www.unitedweride.gov, while the ODOT publications are available at www.dot.state.oh.us/ptranst; click on Coordination.
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V. COORDINATION GOALS FOR IMPLEMENTATION
Goals and strategies for implementation should include the necessary steps to provide a foundation for overcoming challenges and provide some implementation time frame projections for implementing coordination in the near future. Goals and strategies should also outline parties responsible for implementation, cost/funding information, staffing implications, ridership implications, and performance measurements. Performance measurements should reflect how the strategy will improve the quality of life for public transit and human service agency consumers.
During this planning process, the local transportation providers agreed upon and established goals for transportation service that will satisfy the identified unmet transportation needs and gaps in service. It is the objective of these community representatives to improve the quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities, individuals with low incomes, and the general public in Belmont County with transportation service that is cost effective and consumer friendly. The following list provides a summary of the transportation goals established through the planning process.
Goal #1 – Improve communication between participating organizations in Belmont County.
Goal #2 – Enhance transportation to support employment, medical services, and general quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities, individuals with low incomes, and the general public in Belmont County.
Goal #3 – Improve accessibility to transportation options for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Goal #4 – Implement transportation options that improve employment opportunities for individuals with low incomes in Belmont County and the surrounding areas.
Goal #5 – Create a centralized resource for scheduling and dispatching coordinated transportation for older adults, people with disabilities, and individuals with low incomes.
Goal #6 – Provide an affordable transportation structure for out-of-county trips and service to outlying areas of Belmont County that are currently underserved.
Goal #7 – Explore and pursue joint procurement opportunities.
V - 1 Goal 1: Improve communication between participating organizations in Belmont County. Objective/Strategy Time Frame Responsible Performance Measure Priority Party/ Implementation Budget/Costs 1.1: Establish a Coordination Ongoing and Lead Coordination committee is High Committee to create, organize, and meet bi- Responsibility: If created. follow-up on major goals and monthly at hired, a Mobility timeframes. first. Manager (MM) Stakeholders commit to Eventually will lead the active participation in the The Coordination Committee will reduce committee and all coordination committee. provide the leadership in Belmont meetings to participating County to promote implementation of semi-annual. organizations will Working group agrees on a goals and strategies addressed in this actively plan to achieve major goals plan as well as future goals that participate. and sets timeframes for develop. Otherwise, a lead accomplishing them. agency must be designated.
Costs: Time involved in participating in the committee. 1.2: Hire a qualified Mobility Mid Term Lead Decide upon the appropriate Medium Manager (MM) to lead Responsibility: agency to hire and house the implementation of coordination To be determined MM. efforts. by the Coordination Job description developed Mobility Management is an approach Committee. (work with ODOT, Office to managing and delivering a network of Transit) for a template. of coordinated transportation services. Costs: Salary and Duties for the MM should be clearly administrative Qualified MM hired. determined and included in a job expenses for the description, prior to hiring. A MM MM.
V does not schedule or dispatch trips, he -
2 or she promotes information sharing and facilitates opportunities for
coordinated transportation.
1.3: Utilize the MM position to gather Ongoing Lead Number of human service Medium data and plan more efficient usage of Responsibility: transportation vehicles existing human service vehicles, MM (if hired) being coordinated increased. employees, services, facilities, and under the direction technologies. of the hiring Number of organizations agency and participating in coordinated advised by the plan increased. Coordination Committee. Number of passenger trips increased. Costs: None. 1.4: Strengthen and increase number Ongoing Lead Increase in number of High of inter-agency relationships. Responsibility: agencies participating. Coordination Committee will More agencies represented advise the MM (if at coordinated hired). MM will transportation working gradually take group meetings. responsibility for developing relationships.
Costs: None. 1.5: Develop Near Term Lead Number of MOUs or High Memorandums/Contracts with all Responsibility: contracts developed. coordination committee members. Coordination The MOU will include the specific committee members Number of shared coordination responsibilities of each and MM (if hired). schedules. member such as: sharing trip schedules; sharing trips; public Cost: Staff time outreach; promoting coordination involved in efforts to local officials and potential preparing and
V funders. negotiating MOUs. -
3 1.6: Select and use Internet Near Term Lead Number of coordination Medium technology to share transportation Responsibility: electronic-newsletters
information between participating Coordination distributed annually. organizations. Email, newsletters, Committee and MM links on a website, Twitter, and could organize and Number of riders. Facebook are commonly used methods research. of communication between Transportation Coordinated Transportation. transportation providers that are low- providers must website (or link on existing cost or free. provide the input. website/Facebook) created, maintained with current The information sharing process could Cost: Time/Labor information, and utilized. be open to the public if social network to develop sites like Twitter or Facebook are informational utilized. The public would have the materials. option to read and interact. 1.7: Participate in Municipal, County, Ongoing Lead Transit is represented at all High and Regional planning activities to Responsibility: significant municipal maintain transit presence on new All participating planning meetings. projects and keep all local and regional organizations. organizations informed about Transit is included in plans coordination opportunities. Costs: None. for new municipal planning projects. Organizations that serve older adults, individual with disabilities, and people with low incomes will be included.
1.8: Develop a central call number Near Term Lead Organization elects to Medium (toll free) for information and referral Responsibility: operate the information and purposes for anyone in Belmont Coordination referral service. County who needs transportation. Committee members and MM Toll-free number installed (if hired) will and implemented. organize. A designated Toll-free number advertised organization must to the public. operate the
V information and Number of trips provided -
4 referral service. annually by each participating organization.
Cost: Cost of toll free number. 1.9: Purchase compatible scheduling Mid Term Lead Transportation providers Medium and dispatching software packages to Responsibility: explore potential software improve compatibility between Participating packages. ODOT, Office of organizations and promote information transportation Transit will offer guidance sharing. providers. to initiate the process of interviewing and evaluating Costs: Varies vendors. depending upon software packages Transportation providers being purchased. purchase compatible software packages.
Number of trips provided as organizations become more efficient with scheduling and dispatching software.
Number of trips shared.
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Goal 2: Enhance transportation to support employment, medical services, and general quality of life for older adults, individuals with disabilities, people with low incomes, and the general public in Belmont County. Objective/Strategy Time Frame Responsible Party/ Performance Measure Priority Implementation Budget/Costs 2.1: Establish a user forum to Near Term Lead Responsibility: User forum established and High identify and address transit and Coordination used by riders and mobility issues. The forum could Committee members stakeholders. be a series of small local meeting and MM (if hired). opportunities, and/or a blog for Number of individuals riders to write their issues and Cost: Staff time giving input. transportation providers to respond. involved in organizing and Rider satisfaction with the facilitating forum and provider’s response to their documenting and issues. responding to rider and potential rider input. 2.2: Establish a sub-committee of Mid Term Lead Responsibility: Sub-committee is High the Coordination Committee and Coordination established and assign members with the Committee Sub- responsibilities are assigned. responsibility and authority to committee and MM. analyze the network of existing A complete inventory of public and human service agency Costs: No cost if provider service area, peak providers in Belmont County. The planning, analysis, hours of service, eligibility, sub-committee will negotiate with and negotiations are driver training, seating providers to establish new transfer completed by the capacity, and number of points and passenger sharing sub-committee. vehicles is developed. opportunities. Negotiations for passengers The sub-committee will focus on to safely transfer or for expanding the network of agencies to share trips transportation options to better ensue.
V serve older adults, individuals with -
6 disabilities, people with low Public transportation incomes, as well as the general services are expanded into
public. additional rural areas and communities in Belmont County.
2.3: Implement a new network of Mid Term Lead Responsibility: Number of transportation Medium transportation services that covers Sub-committee (see providers participating in all of Belmont County. strategy 2.2) and all the network of services. participating Recommendations for the transportation Common fare structure or transportation service network will providers. accounting procedure be based upon findings from the implemented. sub-committee that was discussed Costs: To be in Strategy 2.2 (above). determined. Costs Number of passengers will vary depending served by coordinated upon the scope of transportation. services developed. Number of new passengers served.
Number of people who now have access to public or human service agency transportation.
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2.4: Create DVD to educate Near Term Lead Responsibility: Number of DVDs High potential passengers on how to use EORTA distributed. fixed route buses. Distribute the DVD to local human service Cost: $500 and Percent of increased agencies, older adult facilities, more depending ridership. churches, schools, etc. upon the number and quality of DVDs. Customers understand how to utilize fixed route service (as expressed in rider surveys). 2.5: Promote employer sponsored Ongoing Lead Responsibility: Number of employers High transit benefits. MM and offering transit benefits or Coordination subsidies to employees. Designate a sub-committee to Committee will prepare resource materials and work together to Number of employers presentations and meet with local educate employers. visited and educated about employers to teach them about the transit benefits each quarter. tax incentives and other programs Costs: $800 or more available to them and their for preparing and Number of employees employees if they participate in printing receiving transit benefits public and/or coordinated informational through coordination with transportation. materials and their employer. brochures. Also, time involved for outreach and information sharing. 2.6: Establish a Belmont County Mid Term Lead Responsibility: A lead organization and Medium vanpool/carpool program for people MM (if hired) and a project manager is with low incomes and the general lead organization established. public. that volunteers to organize information A website (or link to current The program could be expanded for the vanpool or transportation website) into surrounding counties if demand carpool program. and/or phone number where exists. Alternatively, a interested parties can join
V volunteer employer the carpool or vanpool. -
8 may also implement a vanpool program Number of vehicles
for his or her purchased for the vanpool employees. or carpool program.
Cost: May include Number of participants in purchase of vehicles the carpool or vanpool and administration program. of the program.
2.7: Expand hours of service for Near Term Lead Responsibility: Demand for extended hours High existing public and human service Designated of service is verified. agency transportation to support coordination partner people with low incomes, people to provide early Extended hours of service with disabilities, and older adults morning and late are provided in Belmont who require transportation early in evening County. the morning or late in the evening transportation. for non-traditional work shifts or Number of trips provided. medical appointments. Cost: Varies depending upon the Customer satisfaction. scope of service (i.e., hours of Number of individuals using service, number of expanded service for access vehicles, operating to employment or medical expenses). services to improve their quality of life. 2.8: Expand the service area for Near Term Lead Responsibility: Geographic area for service High transportation service provided to Participating expansion is identified. people with low incomes, transportation individuals with disabilities, older providers. Number of people with low adults, and the general public. incomes, individuals with Costs: Varies disabilities, and older adults depending upon served by the expanded level of service area service area. expansion. Customer satisfaction.
V -
9 Customer quality of life in Belmont County.
Goal 3: Improve accessibility to transportation options for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Objective/Strategy Time Frame Responsible Performance Measure Priority Party 3.1: Increase the number of Mid Term Lead Number of ADA accessible Medium Americans with Disabilities Act Responsibility: vehicles available in (ADA) accessible vehicles including Transportation Belmont County. taxicabs and vans. providers.
Costs: To be determined. 3.2: Expand the eligibility Near Term Lead Number of new eligible trip High requirements and eligible trip Responsibility: purposes for older adults, purposes on participating human All participating individuals with disabilities, service agency and senior services transportation people with low incomes, provider vehicles to encourage trip providers. MM (if and the general public. sharing among participating hired) will organizations that serve individuals coordinate and Number of trips provided. with disabilities, people with low facilitate incomes, and older adults. discussions. Passenger satisfaction as demonstrated in survey Costs: To Be input. Determined. 3.3: Make a travel assistant/aide Mid Term Lead Service quality for Medium available upon request to assist Responsibility: individuals with disabilities. passengers with boarding and Coordination disembarking fixed route and Committee Number of trips (counted as deviated routes (where available). members that one-way) provided with the serve the needs of use of a travel assistant/aide. Use of a travel assistant/aide will older adults and enable the driver to focus on the individuals with Number of trips provided safety of all passengers while the disabilities. for frail older adults and
V travel assistant/aide focuses on the individuals with disabilities.
- individual who needs extra Cost: Salary and 10 assistance; particularly for frail older training for the adults and individuals with passenger
disabilities. assistant/aide
3.4: Provide more EORTA routes Mid Term Lead Service area changes for High and paratransit services with Responsibility: EORTA. increased frequency and service EORTA area. Frequency of headways. Costs: To be determined based Percent ridership on upon level of paratransit is increased. service increase. Public and rider satisfaction. V - 11
Goal 4: Implement transportation options that improve employment opportunities for people with low incomes in Belmont County and the surrounding areas. Objective/Strategy Time Frame Responsible Party Performance Measure Priority 4.1: Develop a demand response Mid Term Lead Conduct a survey and Medium (or on-demand) feeder service into Responsibility: analysis to determine the EORTA fixed routes that would EORTA and human most appropriate places and enable passengers to transfer from service agency and times to implement a feeder EORTA routes to a demand taxi service service. response vehicle (which could be providers. operated by a different Negotiations occur between organization) that would take them Cost: To be EORTA and other area to/from their final destination. determined based transportation providers to upon the hours and explore the potential to Evaluate the specific demand and level of service coordinate schedules and need for implementing coordinated provided. provide a feeder service for feeder service that connects EORTA. EORTA routes to Belmont Technical College and other Fully allocated cost of education providers, industrial providing the feeder service parks, shopping malls, the prison, is established. Belco Works, and other employers. A sustainable funding source to support feeder service is secured.
Feeder service is implemented. 4.2: Establish a regional Mid Term Lead Sub-committee is created Medium transportation sub-committee within Responsibility: and members agree to the Coordination Committee (i.e., Coordination actively participate. with representation from the Committee and
V Economic Development office, Job Transportation Number of people using
- and Family Services, and other Providers. public and coordinated 12 community organizations with transportation to get to and similar missions). Costs: Staff time to from work.
participate in the This committee will gather committee. New and ongoing information about employment employment related related transportation challenges by transportation issues are participating in board meetings, discussed at each planning meetings, and other Coordination Committee forums. The sub-committee will meeting. report to the Coordination Committee and MM. 4.3: Preserve and expand existing Ongoing Lead Number of new partnerships High partnerships and coordination Responsibility: established. between Belmont County MM and transportation providers and public transportation Number of new coordination and human service agency providers. efforts between transportation transportation providers in providers. surrounding counties. Cost: Staff time involved to Productivity of service that Develop a communication network coordinate and resulted from new that enables sharing of information share information relationships (i.e., passengers about employment related per hour/mile, or transportation opportunities and operating/maintenance/capital gaps throughout the region. cost savings). 4.4: Increase involvement with Ongoing Lead Meetings are held with Medium chambers of commerce, industrial Responsibility: industry leaders, chambers of parks, and local governmental and MM (if hired) and commerce, and local planning bodies in an effort to Coordination governments and planning educate them about the possibilities Committee organization representatives of improving economic members (Sub- and designated coordinated development and access to committee) transportation provider. resources throughout the region through coordinated transportation. Costs: Costs Number of new organizations associated with that sign MOUs or contracts
V networking time. and strengthen the
- coordination effort through 13 their involvement.
Number of organizations assisting with public outreach and information distribution. 4.5: Monroe County Public Ongoing Lead Feeder service to the MCPT High Transportation (MCPT) provides a Responsibility: route serving Belmont regularly scheduled service to Coordination Technical College is initiated. Belmont Technical College. Committee Coordination partners in Belmont members, Belmont Number of passengers County will discuss opportunities County utilizing the feeder service for developing a feeder service transportation and transferring to/from the (operated by a Belmont County providers, and MM MCPT route. human service agency, private (if hired). provider, or EORTA) to connect Number of passengers using with the MCPT route. Costs: Operating the service for education costs for providing and/or employment. the feeder service. 4.6: Conduct a feasibility study for Mid Term Lead A lead organization and Medium a vanpool/carpool program. If the Responsibility: project manager is program is determined to be Mobility Manager established. feasible, establish a regional/multi- (if hired) and a lead county vanpool/carpool program for organization that A website and/or phone people with low incomes and the volunteers to number to join the carpool or general public. organize vanpool is established and information for the advertised. vanpool/carpool program. Number of vehicles Alternatively, a purchased for the volunteer employer vanpool/carpool program. may also implement a vanpool program Number of participants in the for his or her carpool/vanpool program. employees.
V
- Cost: To Be 14 Determined by scope of services.
4.7: Implement a Guaranteed Ride Mid Term Lead Guaranteed Ride Home Home Program for employees that Responsibility: The program is implemented. use the carpool/vanpool program or organization that take public transportation regularly administers the Number of commuters that (i.e., at least twice a week) to vanpool/carpool utilize the carpool/vanpool employment sites that are within a program should program. pre-determined service area. organize the guaranteed ride Number of commuters that A guaranteed ride home program home program. utilize the guaranteed ride provides commuters with a free home service. (subsidized) ride home in case of an Cost: Cost for unexpected emergency. subsidized vouchers provided to consumers who utilize the program. 4.8: Implement a voucher program Mid Term Lead Matching funds for the High for people with low incomes to Responsibility: voucher program are utilize public and coordinated Coordination obtained. transportation services, or carpools Committee for transportation to work or members with a Eligibility requirements and employment related trip purposes mission to provide trip purpose requirements for (i.e., education or job training). service to people the voucher program are with low incomes. documented.
Cost: Expense of Number of people using purchasing vouchers for transportation to transportation employment, job training, or vouchers will be education. controlled by the Customer satisfaction (as number and price of measured by comment forms, the purchased surveys, etc.). vouchers.
V Number of people who are -
15 able to maintain gainful employment after joining the program.
Goal 5: Create a centralized resource for scheduling, dispatching, and information referrals. Objective Time Frame Responsible Party Performance Measure Priority 5.1: Standardize transportation Mid Term Lead Responsibility: Policies and procedures Low policies and procedures among Coordination are shared and developed. participating organizations to ensure Committee members. consistency with passengers and MM (if hired) will Policies and procedures promote compatibility with billing facilitate the process. are implemented. and eligibility requirements. Costs: Staff time Number of coordinated Develop a list of the policies and involved. trips provided. procedures that could be standardized by all organizations. Customer satisfaction. Revise as appropriate. Sample policies and procedures could include the following:
-No-shows; -Cancellations; -Accident/Incident procedures; -Vehicle evacuation procedures; -Seatbelts; -Car seats; -Inclement weather; and, -Americans with Disabilities Act policies (wheelchair assistance, oxygen, riding on lifts, etc.).
5.2: Conduct a Feasibility Study to Long Term Lead Responsibility: Decision on lead Low determine the most appropriate Transportation organization to conduct approach to organization and providers and the study or hire an management for coordinated Coordination organization to conduct transportation in Belmont County Committee members the study.
V (and/or the region). should designate a
- local organization to Study is completed and an 16 conduct the study or organizational approach is hire an outside selected by the
organization to committee. conduct the study, if appropriate.
Cost: Varies depending upon the method for conducting the study (i.e., performed in- house or by an outside organization).
5.3: Depending upon the findings Long Term Lead Responsibility: Central telephone number Low from Strategy 5.2 (above), create a Coordination is established. brokerage or consolidate dispatching Committee, MM (if and scheduling, and information hired), and human Qualified referrals for human service agency service agency Scheduler/Dispatcher is transportation by establishing a transportation hired and trained. single telephone number that a providers. person can call to schedule a trip. Number of callers served. The scheduler decides the best Costs: Costs provider for the trip. associated with Number of trips provided establishing a using the consolidated Staff the telephone line with a person telephone number and dispatching, scheduling, rather than an answering machine or salary for the and information referral answering service. Scheduler/Dispatcher. service.
The scheduler/dispatcher must be a neutral party that will not show favoritism toward a single participating organization. This will
V promote fair distribution of trip
- assignments. 17
Goal 6: Provide an affordable transportation structure for out-of-county trips and service to outlying areas of Belmont County that are currently underserved. Objective/Strategy Time Frame Responsible Performance Measure Priority Party 6.1: Share and discuss day-to-day Mid Term Lead Number of organizations High schedules for participating local Responsibility: that share schedule human service agency and public MM (if hired) and information and attempt to transportation providers in Belmont Coordination plan coordination of long- County with the goal to share long- Committee distance trips. distance, out-of-county trips. members. Number of empty seats on Sharing trips will spread the cost of Cost: Staff time out-of-county trips. providing the trip among multiple involved in sharing organizations so that no single and updating Number of out-of-county organization bears the full expense. schedules. rips shared between multiple agencies. 6.2: Coordinate schedules with Near Term Lead Number of Belmont County High Harrison County Rural Transit for Responsibility: residents picked up/dropped trips that are coming in to Belmont Belmont County off by Harrison County County. Discuss with Harrison human service Rural Transit. County Rural Transit the possibility agency of that provider picking- coordination Customer satisfaction. up/dropping-off individuals in partners initiate Belmont County to fill empty seats conversations with Timeline for periodic on their vehicles that are scheduled Harrison County maintenance inspections at to provide service to the shopping Rural Transit. each pedestrian facility at areas and medical offices in St. and near bus stops is Clairsville. The coordination would Costs: To be established. be especially beneficial to older determined based adults, individuals with disabilities on agreements for and people with low incomes living coordinated in the outlying communities and service that
V rural areas of Belmont County. develop. -
18 6.3: Discuss coordination with Near Term Lead Method for sharing trips is Medium Harrison County Rural Transit, such Responsibility: established and MOU is as coordinating trips to Pittsburgh Belmont County agreed upon.
for both Belmont and Harrison human service County older adult residents, agency Number of coordinated individuals with disabilities, and transportation passenger trips to Pittsburgh people with low incomes. providers and the for Belmont and Harrison MM (if hired). County residents. Harrison County Rural Transit and Belmont County human service Cost: Staff time Customer satisfaction. agencies could alternate providing involved in these coordinated trips. Through scheduling the such coordination, transportation coordinated trips. opportunities for residents increase Operating costs and transportation providers can associated with provide more service options within providing the trips. existing financial constraints. 6.4: Coordinate with Monroe Near Term Lead Method for sharing trips is High County Public Transportation Responsibility: established and MOU is (MCPT) on trips that MCPT Belmont County agreed upon. provides from Monroe County to human service destinations in Belmont County. agency Number of coordinated Coordinate this service primarily for transportation passenger trips provided. older adults, individuals with providers and the disabilities, and people with low MM (if hired). Customer satisfaction. incomes. Cost: Staff time Discuss the opportunities to involved in coordinate schedules with MCPT so coordinating the that Belmont County residents can schedules. fill empty seats on the vehicles Operating costs for already scheduled to travel through providing the trip. Belmont County. Or, add vehicles or trips to the existing service at a level that meets demand for both
V counties.
- 19
Goal 7: Explore and pursue joint training, maintenance, and procurement opportunities. Objective/Strategy Time Frame Responsible Performance Measure Priority Party 7.1: Coordinate and standardize Mid Term Lead Number of staff trained Medium driver training and driver/mechanic Responsibility: through coordinated training hiring requirements. In this regard, Coordination efforts. if agencies and public transportation Committee providers need to share drivers or members that Number of complaints about mechanics, everyone will have the provide transportation staff same basic qualifications and transportation. (establish base line of past training. This also ensures a data for comparison). minimum level of quality service Cost: Staff time and maintenance throughout the involved. Training Number of county. Driver training will also be may involve incidents/accidents properly coordinated with neighboring expenses if handled. counties to save costs. qualified in-house trainers are not Number of pre-trip Share a training schedule so that all available. inspections properly transportation providers in the performed. coordination effort can take advantage of the training for their new hires and existing employees. 7.2: Create a local or regional Near Term Lead Participating transportation High insurance pool for the purpose of Responsibility: providers share their addressing the problem of escalating Participating insurance requirements, and unavailable vehicle insurance, transportation fleet information, eligibility which is a major obstacle in the providers and information, and training provision of coordinated public and Coordination information with the MM. human service agency Committee transportation. members. MM (if MM prepares a summary of hired) will compile insurance requirements for Discuss the goals for sharing trips, information to to be presented to the
V vehicles and/or staff and meet with provide to the potential insurance
- potential insurance vendors as a potential insurance providers. 20 collaborative effort to negotiate companies. coverage at a fair price. Transportation providers
Cost: Time meet with potential involved in insurance companies as a gathering and collaborative effort. compiling information and Insurance agreement that meeting with allows for trip, vehicle, and insurance staff sharing is purchased. providers.
V - 21
VI. REFERENCE TABLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES AND POTENTIAL GRANT APPLICATIONS
The following table outlines the strategies and objectives designated to achieve the locally identified transportation goals that are intended to meet local unmet transportation needs, reduce duplication, and improve coordination of human service agency and transportation provider resources. The table includes all strategies and designates those strategies that are currently designed for implementation with the assistance of a grant from the Transportation for Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities (Section 5310), Job Access and Reverse Commute (Section 5316), or New Freedom (Section 5317). Page numbers are provided in Exhibit VI.1 for quick reference to detailed information of each objective.
Please also note that each grant application for Section 5310, 5316, or 5317 will be considered individually to determine if the proposed activities to be supported by the grant adequately meet the requirements of the intended funding program. Grant applications for strategies that do not meet the intended requirements of the Federal SAFETEA-LU grant program will not be awarded, regardless of the designated eligibility in this report.
The implementation timeframe for each strategy ranges from the date of this report through 2014. It is noted that the Coordination Committee should update this plan on an annual basis and as new coordinated transportation strategies and objectives are developed.
VI - 1
Exhibit VI-1: Implementation Key
Goal #1: Improve communication between participating organizations in Belmont County.
Job Access Strategy Priority or Specialized & Reverse New Page Identification Implementation Vehicles Commute Freedom Number Number Strategy Description Timeframe (5310) (5316) (5317)
Establish a Coordination Committee to create, organize, and follow-up on V - 2 1.1 major goals and timeframes. Ongoing
Hire a qualified Mobility Manager (MM) to lead implementation of V - 2,3 1.2 coordination efforts. Mid Term XX Utilize the MM position to gather data and plan more efficient usage of existing human service vehicles, employees, services, facilities, and V - 3 1.3 technologies. Ongoing X
V - 3 1.4 Strengthen and increase number of inter-agency relationships Ongoing X Develop Memorandums/Contracts with all coordination committee members. The MOU will include the specific coordination responsibilities of each member such as: sharing trip schedules; sharing trips; public outreach; promoting coordination efforts to local officials and V - 3 1.5 potential funders. Near Term X
Select and use Internet technology to share transportation information V - 3,4 1.6 between participating organizations. Near Term X Participate in Municipal, County, and Regional planning activities to maintain transit presence on new projects and keep all local and regional V - 4 1.7 organizations informed about coordination opportunities. Ongoing
Develop a central call number (toll free) for information and referral V - 4,5 1.8 purposes for anyone in Belmont County who needs transportation. Near Term X X
VI Purchase compatible scheduling and dispatching software packages to improve compatibility between organizations and promote information -
2 V - 5 1.9 sharing. Mid Term X Exhibit VI-1: Implementation Key
Goal #2: Enhance transportation to support employment, medical services, and general quality of life for older adults, individuals with disabilities, people with low incomes, and the general public in Belmont County.
Job Access Strategy Priority or Specialized & Reverse New Page Identification Implementation Vehicles Commute Freedom Number Number Strategy Description Timeframe (5310) (5316) (5317) Establish a user forum to identify and address transit and mobility issues. The forum could be a series of small local meeting opportunities, and/or a blog for riders to write their issues and transportation providers to V - 6 2.1 respond. Near Term X Establish a sub-committee of the Coordination Committee and assign members with the responsibility and authority to analyze the network of V - 6,7 2.2 existing public and human service agency providers in Belmont County. Mid Term
Implement a new network of transportation services that covers all of V - 7 2.3 Belmont County. Mid Term X Create DVD to educate potential passengers on how to use fixed route buses. Distribute the DVD to local human service agencies, older adult V - 8 2.4 facilities, churches, schools, etc. Near Term X X
V - 8 2.5 Promote employer sponsored transit benefits. Ongoing X
Establish a Belmont County vanpool/carpool program for people with low V - 8,9 2.6 incomes and the general public. Mid Term X Expand hours of service for existing public and human service agency transportation to support people with low incomes, individuals with disabilities, and older adults who require transportation early in the morning or late in the evening for non-traditional work shifts or medical V - 9 2.7 appointments. Near Term XXX VI - 3 Exhibit VI-1: Implementation Key
Expand the service area for transportation service provided to people with low incomes, individuals with disabilities, older adults, and the general V - 9 2.8 public. Near Term XXX
Goal #3: Improve accessibility to transportation options for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Job Access Strategy Priority or Specialized & Reverse New Page Identification Implementation Vehicles Commute Freedom Number Number Strategy Description Timeframe (5310) (5316) (5317)
Increase the number of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible V - 10 3.1 vehicles including taxicabs and vans. Mid Term XX Expand the eligibility requirements and eligible trip purposes on participating human service agency and senior services provider vehicles to encourage trip sharing among participating organizations that serve V - 10 3.2 individuals with disabilities, people with low incomes, and older adults. Near Term X Make a travel assistant/aide available upon request to assist passengers with boarding and disembarking fixed route and deviated routes (where V - 10,11 3.3 available). Mid Term X
Provide more EORTA routes and paratransit services with increased V - 11 3.4 frequency and service area. Mid Term XX
Goal #4: Implement transportation options that improve employment opportunities for people with low incomes in Belmont County and the surrounding areas.
Job Access Strategy Priority or Specialized & Reverse New VI Page Identification Implementation Vehicles Commute Freedom
- Number Number Strategy Description Timeframe (5310) (5316) (5317) 4 Exhibit VI-1: Implementation Key
Develop a demand response (or on-demand) feeder service into EORTA fixed routes that would enable passengers to transfer from EORTA routes to a demand response vehicle (which could be operated by a different V - 12 4.1 organization) that would take them to/from their final destination. Mid Term XX Establish a regional transportation sub-committee within the Coordination Committee (i.e., with representation from the Economic Development office, Job and Family Services, and other community organizations with V - 12,13 4.2 similar missions). Mid Term Preserve and expand existing partnerships and coordination between Belmont County transportation providers and public and human service V - 13 4.3 agency transportation providers in surrounding counties. Ongoing X Increase involvement with chambers of commerce, industrial parks, and local governmental and planning bodies in an effort to educate them about the possibilities of improving economic development and access to V - 13,14 4.4 resources throughout the region through coordinated transportation. Ongoing Monroe County Public Transportation (MCPT) provides a regularly scheduled service to Belmont Technical College. Coordination partners in Belmont County will discuss opportunities for developing a feeder service (operated by a Belmont County human service agency, private V - 14 4.5 provider, or EORTA) to connect with the MCPT route. Ongoing XX Conduct a feasibility study for a vanpool/carpool program. If the program is determined to be feasible, establish a regional/multi-county vanpool/carpool program for people with low incomes and the general V - 14 4.6 public. Mid Term Implement a Guaranteed Ride Home Program for employees that use the carpool/vanpool program or take public transportation regularly (i.e., at least twice a week) to employment sites that are within a pre-determined V - 15 4.7 service area. Mid Term XX Implement a voucher program for people with low incomes to utilize public and coordinated transportation services, or carpools for transportation to work or employment related trip purposes (i.e., V - 15 4.8 education or job training). Mid Term X VI - 5 Exhibit VI-1: Implementation Key
Goal #5: Create a centralized resource for scheduling and dispatching coordinated transportation.
Job Access Strategy Priority or Specialized & Reverse New Page Identification Implementation Vehicles Commute Freedom Number Number Strategy Description Timeframe (5310) (5316) (5317) Standardize transportation policies and procedures among participating organizations to ensure consistency with passengers and promote V - 16 5.1 compatibility with billing and eligibility requirements. Mid Term Conduct a Feasibility Study to determine the most appropriate approach to organization and management for coordinated transportation in V - 16,17 5.2 Belmont County (and/or the region). Long Term
Depending upon the findings from Strategy 5.2 (above), create a brokerage or consolidate dispatching and scheduling, and information referrals for human service agency transportation by establishing a single V - 17 5.3 telephone number that a person can call to schedule a trip. Long Term XX
Goal #6: Provide an affordable transportation structure for out-of- county trips and service to outlying areas of Belmont County that are currently underserved.
Job Access Strategy Priority or Specialized & Reverse New Page Identification Implementation Vehicles Commute Freedom Number Number Strategy Description Timeframe (5310) (5316) (5317) Share and discuss day-to-day schedules for participating local human service agency and public transportation providers in Belmont County V - 18 6.1 with the goal to share long-distance, out-of-county trips Mid Term VI Coordinate schedules with Harrison County Rural Transit for trips that are -
6 V - 18 6.2 coming in to Belmont County. Near Term Exhibit VI-1: Implementation Key
Discuss coordination with Harrison County Rural Transit, such as coordinating trips to Pittsburgh for both Belmont and Harrison County older adult residents, individuals with disabilities, and people with low V - 18,19 6.3 incomes. Near Term X Coordinate with Monroe County Public Transportation (MCPT) on trips that MCPT provides from Monroe County to destinations in Belmont V - 19 6.4 County. Near Term X
Goal #7: Explore and pursue joint procurement opportunities.
Job Access Strategy Priority or Specialized & Reverse New Page Identification Implementation Vehicles Commute Freedom Number Number Strategy Description Timeframe (5310) (5316) (5317)
Coordinate and standardize driver training and driver/mechanic hiring V - 20 7.1 requirements. Mid Term Create a local or regional insurance pool for the purpose of addressing the problem of escalating and unavailable vehicle insurance, which is a major obstacle in the provision of coordinated public and human service agency V - 20,21 7.2 transportation. Near Term VI - 7
APPENDIX
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A-1: Outreach Documentation ...... A - 1 A-2: Newspaper Notice of Public Meeting (Phase 1) ...... A - 3 A-3: Invitation to 1st Local Meeting (Phase 1) ...... A - 4 A-4: February Meeting Agenda ...... A - 5 A-5: February Meeting Sign-in Sheet ...... A - 7 A-6: Invitation to 2nd Local Meeting (Phase 1) ...... A - 8 A-7: Meeting Agenda ...... A - 9 A-8: Meeting Sign-in Sheet ...... A - 10 A-9: Stakeholder Survey ...... A - 12 A-10: Public Opinion Survey and Summary of Results ...... A - 22 A-11: Newspaper Notice of Public Meeting (Phase 2) ...... A - 26 A-12: Invitation to Phase 2 Local Meeting ...... A - 27 A-13: Phase 2 Local Meeting Sign-in Sheet ...... A - 28 A-14: Participation Spreadsheet ...... A - 31
A-1: Outreach Documentation Summary
FOCUS GROUPS
Date(s) & Locations Held: February 25, 2008 Community Room at the Ohio Valley Mall
March 18, 2008 Community Room at the Ohio Valley Mall
July 13, 2009 Community Room at the Ohio Valley Mall Date(s) Invitations Were Distributed: X U.S. Mail __February 14, 2008 & March 7, 2008_& June 25, 2009______ Web Posting _ E-mail ______ Other (please specify) X Newspaper Notice __February 19, 2008 July 3, 2009 Radio/TV PSAs ______ Distributed in local community/senior centers, etc. X Information was provided in alternative formats, upon request. X Events were open to all individuals, including hearing impaired. X Interpreters available upon request.
# of Attendees (by location & date) ____12______Ohio Valley Mall, February 25, 2008_ ____14______Ohio Valley Mall, March 18, 2008______15______Ohio Valley Mall, July 13, 2009___
X Invitation letter and mailing list attached. X Copies of flyers, brochures, etc. X Copy of Public Notice from each newspaper attached Copy of e-mail invitation and mailing list attached. X Sign-in Sheets attached. Copy of web posting (if available). X Focus Group Summary Attached (See Chapter IV)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Date(s) & Locations Held: ______
Date(s) Notice(s) Were Published: ______
XEvents were open to all individuals, Copy of web posting (if available). including hearing impaired. Copies of flyers, brochures, etc. attached along Copy of Public Notice attached along with with distribution locations. a list of newspapers in which it appeared. # of Attendees ______ Sign-in Sheets Attached
A - 1
Minutes Attached SURVEYS
Date(s) Surveys Were Distributed: X U.S. Mail _March 7, 2008 ______ Web Posting E-mail _ ____ XOther (please specify) Public surveys were distributed July 2009 Newspaper Notice ______ Radio/TV PSAs ______X Distributed in local community/senior centers, etc. _March 30, 2008_& July 2009__ X Information was provided in alternative formats, upon request. No. of Stakeholder Surveys Distributed: _140______No. of Stakeholder Surveys Returned: __10______No. of Public Surveys Distributed: 200 X Listing of Stakeholder Survey Recipients attached
OTHER OUTREACH EFFORTS
X Flyers or Surveys in X Senior Centers X Community Centers X City/County Offices Other Teleconferences X Miscellaneous Meetings, Conferences, etc. (please specify)
One-on-one interviews were conducted on February 25, 2008 and March 18, 2008 with the major human service agency and public transportation providers in Belmont County.
X Other (please specify) Telephone interviews were conducted to follow-up with transportation providers and/or human service agencies that did not complete a survey or participate in a local meeting, if those organizations were noted by the plan steering committee members.
If other activities include meetings, conferences, etc., please indicate the following information for each event:
Date(s) & Locations Held: February 25, 2008 One-on-one interviews with transportation providers and human service agency representatives.
March 18, 2008-March 31, 2008 _Telephone interviews were conducted .
Date(s) Invitations Were Distributed: Invitations by telephone and in person – February 20, February 25, and March 18-31, 2008.
# of Attendees (by location & date) ___4_ Community Room at the Ohio Valley Mall February 25, 2008 3 Belco Works, Inc March 18, 2008
X Summary Included in Chapters III and IV.
A - 2
A-2: Newspaper Notice of Public Meeting – Published on February 19, 2008
Notice of Public Meeting
In August of 2005, Congress passed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), reauthorizing the surface transportation act. As part of this reauthorization, grantees under the New Freedom Initiative (5317), Job Access and Reverse Commute (5316) and the Elderly and Disabled Transportation Program (5310) must meet certain requirements in order to receive funding for fiscal year 2007 (beginning 10/01/06) and beyond.
One of the SAFETEA-LU requirements is that projects from the programs listed above must be part of a “locally developed coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan.” This plan is required to be developed through a process that includes representatives of public, private, and non-profit transportation services, human service providers and the general public.
The Bel-O-Mar Regional Council and RLS & Associates, Inc. are in the process of preparing the coordinated plan for Belmont County. All agencies and individuals who have an interest in public transit and/or human services transportation are encouraged to participate in the development of the plan for Belmont County. Agencies planning on applying for funding under the Section 5310, 5316, or 5317 program anytime within the next four years, must participate in plan development and meetings.
An initial “kick-off” meeting will be held on Monday, February 25, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the Community Room at the Ohio Valley Mall near St. Clairsville, Ohio. The Community Room is located near the main entrance on the west or rear side of the mall. At this meeting, representatives of RLS & Associates will provide an overview of the plan development process and obtain information on existing transportation services operating in the area. Information will also be sought concerning local transportation needs.
All interested parties are encouraged to attend the initial meeting. For those unable to attend the meeting, written comments may be sent to: Transportation Director, Bel-O-Mar Regional Council, P.O. Box 2086, Wheeling, WV 26003. Written comments must be received by March 5, 2008. To be placed on the mailing list for future notices, please call 304-242-1800.
A - 3
A-3: Invitation to February Meeting
Belomar Regional Council (304) 242-1800 FAX: (304) 242-2437 Email: [email protected] LOCATION: 105 BRIDGE STREET PLAZA TTY/TDD 1-800-982-8771 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 2086 WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA 26003-0290
MEMORANDUM
TO: Bel-O-Mar Members from Belmont County
FROM: Bob Muransky, Transportation Study Director
SUBJECT: Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan For Belmont County
DATE: February 14, 2008
Bel-O-Mar and RLS & Associates, Inc. are in the process of preparing a “locally developed coordinated public transit - human services transportation plan” for Belmont County. This plan is a requirement under the federal surface transportation act, SAFETEA-LU, for the receipt of federal funding provided through specific programs of the Federal Transit Administration.
The project “kick-off” meeting has been scheduled for Monday, February 25, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the Community Room at the Ohio Valley Mall. The Community Room is located near the main entrance on the west or rear side of the mall. This location is accessible for individuals using a wheelchair and materials are available in alternate formats upon request.
Your attendance at the meeting and participation in the development of the plan are encouraged. The input you will provide for the plan will ensure that it is a product that meets our goal of improving transportation options in Belmont County.
Enclosed is a copy of a public notice which will be published in the local newspapers on Tuesday, February 19, 2008. We encourage you to share this information with all appropriate individuals.
Please contact Heather Delbert or LuAnn Kennedy at 304-242-1800 by noon, Friday, February 22nd, if you plan to attend.
We hope to see you on February 25th.
B.M. BM/lk
A - 4
A-4: Agenda BELMONT COUNTY COORDINATED HUMAN SERVICE PUBLIC TRANSIT PLAN PROJECT KICK-OFF AND COORDINATED HUMAN SERVICES-PUBLIC TRANSIT TRANSPORTATION GOALS DEVELOPMENT MEETING AGENDA
February 25, 2008 At Community Room at the Ohio Valley Mall
¾ Sign-in
¾ Welcome
¾ Review of the Project Scope of Work Presentation of Project Requirements RLS & Associates, Inc.
¾ Discussion of 2008-2013 applicants for Section 5310, 5316, and 5317 grants Discussion of existing plans to apply for Section 5310 (Specialized Vehicles), 5316 (Job Access/Reverse Commute), or 5317 (New Freedom Initiative), 2008 through 2013.
¾ Discussion of Local Area Unmet Transportation Needs and Gaps in Service: Discuss existing transportation resources and the gaps that exist. Discuss transportation goals. Discuss potential strategies to fill gaps in service – strategies must be associated with Federal Section 5310, Section 5316, and/or Section 5317 programs/grants.
¾ Prioritize Transportation Goals Prioritize implementation of strategies/alternatives Create a timeline for implementation of strategies/alternatives
¾ Next Steps
A - 5
A-5: Coordinated Public Transit-Human Service Transportation Plan FOR BELMONT COUNTY
FEBRUARY 25, 2008 SIGN-IN SHEET Please Print. NAME& AGENCY AGENCY ADDRESS TELEPHONE E-MAIL 875 NATIONAL RD. ROGER W. STEWART BRIDGEPORT, OHIO 43912 PHONE 635-0558 BROOKSIDE VILLAGE COUNCIL FAX SAME AS ABOVE ROBERT W. THOMAS Phone 635-0558 BROOKSIDE MAYOR FAX TOM HVIZDOS 21 S. HURON ST. [email protected] EORTA WHEELING WV, 26003 Phone 232-2190
FAX CARMEN RHOADES 54385 NATIONAL RD [email protected] STONE HOUSE APTS BRIDGEPORT, OH 43912 Phone 633-1120
FAX JANE KALONICK 68353 BANNOCK RD [email protected] CMHS Phone 695-9344
FAX JACK CERA 310 FOX SHANNON PLACE [email protected] BELMONT CDJFS ST. C 43950 PHONE 633-5627
FAX A - 6
A – 5: Coordinated Public Transit-Human Service Transportation Plan FOR BELMONT COUNTY FEBRUARY 25, 2008 SIGN-IN SHEET NAME& AGENCY AGENCY ADDRESS TELEPHONE E-MAIL ALLAN KETZELL II 875 NATIONAL RD BROOKSIDE VILLAGE COUNCIL BRIDGEPORT, OH PHONE 635-0558
FAX GARY OBLOY 153 ½ WEST MAIN ST. [email protected] COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OH 43950 Phone 695-0293 BELMONT COUNTY FAX PEGGY MEOLA 485 NORTH ST. [email protected] BRIDGEPORT/BARNSVILLE MANOR BARNSVILLE, OH 43713 Phone 417-6167 NATIONAL CHURCH RESIDENCES FAX
DWAYNE PIELECH 310 FOX SHANNON PLACE [email protected] BELMONT CO. DEPT OF JOB AND ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OH 43950 Phone 695-1075 FAMILY SERVICES FAX JOELLEN ROSHAK 100 PINE AVE. PARK HEALTH CENTER ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OH 43950 Phone 695-4925
FAX BOB MURANSKY & JAMES BENNER BELOMAR REGIONAL COUNCIL PHONE
A - 7
A-6: Invitation to March Meeting
Announcing a Coordinated Public Transit- Human Services Transportation Plan Meeting!
Please Plan to Attend… Of specific concern is transportation for older adults, individuals with disabilities, individuals with low incomes, and the general public. Strategies to address transportation needs and gaps in services will be addressed.
• Everyone interested in coordinating transportation should attend. • Everyone planning to apply for grant funding under Section 5310, 5316, and 5317 must participate in the planning process. • The General Public is encouraged to attend.
The meeting will be facilitated by RLS & Associates, Inc. for Belomar Regional Council Date: 03/18/2008 Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Address: Community Room at the Ohio Valley Mall
For information about the meeting or questions regarding building/room accessibility and other special accommodations, please contact Laura Brown at (937) 242-7136 or by e-mail [email protected]
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A-7: BELMONT COUNTY COORDINATED PUBLIC TRANSIT-HUMAN SERVICE TRANSPORTATION PLAN MARCH, 2008 AGENDA ¾ Registration
¾ Introductions and Welcome • Purpose and Overview o United We Ride o Review of Survey Instrument
¾ Discussion • What are we trying to achieve through coordination? • What are we trying to preserve through coordination? • What are we trying to avoid through coordination? • What are we trying to eliminate through coordination?
¾ Identify What Actions Must Take Place to Coordinate • Goals of this Session o Identify Existing Unmet Need for Transportation o Identify Existing Services o Identify Service Gaps and/or Duplication of Existing Service o Discuss Possible Concepts for Improving Mobility Options through Coordination
BREAK
¾ Rating Implementation of the Action Items o Identify existing foundation for the Action – Does Support Already Exist? o Identify financial feasibility of the Action o Will this Action lay the foundation for future Action? o Is progress possible within the next 6 months? ¾ Identify Strengths and Weaknesses for Implementation of Each Action Item
¾ Next Steps ¾ Adjourn
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A-8: Coordinated Public Transit-Human Service Transportation Plan March 2008 SIGN-IN SHEET Please Print. NAME& AGENCY AGENCY ADDRESS TELEPHONE E-MAIL SUSAN STOBBS 153 ½ WEST MAIN ST. [email protected] COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSION OF ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OH 43950 PHONE 695-0293 BELMONT COUNTY FAX BILL STEEDLE 780 EAST MAIN ST. [email protected] BELMONT DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP & BARNSVILLE, OH 43713 Phone 425-1966 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT FAX ROGER DEAL 126 E. CHURCH ST. [email protected] VILLAGE OF BARNSVILLE BARNSVILLE, OH 43713 Phone 425-1880
FAX PEGGY MEOLA, SC 485 NORTH ST. [email protected] NATIONAL CHURCH RESIDENCE BARNSVILLE, OH 43713 Phone 425-2016 BARNSVILLE MANOR & BRIDGEPORT MANOR FAX
AARON K WILDMAN 611 BOND AVE. BARNSVILLE TAXI SERVICE BARNSVILLE, OH 43713 Phone 425-9900
FAX JACK CERA 310 FOX SHANNON PLACE [email protected] BCDJFS & CONNECTIONS ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OH 43950 PHONE 633-5627
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10 FAX
Coordinated Public Transit-Human Service Transportation Plan MARCH 2008
SIGN-IN SHEET Please Print. NAME& AGENCY AGENCY ADDRESS TELEPHONE E-MAIL BOB MURANSKY P.O. BOX 2086 [email protected] BEL-O-MAR REGIONAL COUNCIL WHEELING WV, 26003 PHONE 242-1800
FAX JAMES BENNER P.O. BOX 2086 [email protected] BEL-O-MAR REGIONAL COUNCIL WHEELING WV, 26003 PHONE 242-1800
FAX KATHY HARDING & TIM JOHNSON NATIONAL ROAD [email protected] BELMONT SENIOR SERVICES ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OH 43950 Phone 695-4142 [email protected]
FAX JANE KALONICK 68353 BANNOCK RD. [email protected] CMHS ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OH Phone 695-9344
FAX BILL WEST 340 FOX SHANNON PLACE [email protected] BCBDD/BELCO WORKS ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OH Phone 695-7420
FAX TOM HVIZDOS C/O 21 S. HURON ST. [email protected] EORTA WHEELING, WV 26003 PHONE 232-2190
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A-9: Stakeholder Survey Assessing Coordination at the Local Level
Objective: To develop, test and finalize an assessment process to gauge and evaluate coordination status. Use assessment tool to evaluate current coordination efforts in Belmont County and develop an understanding of coordination perspectives and priorities in these areas. Please fax the completed survey to This assessment tool is designed to help us examine three (937) 299-1055 or email aspects of county-wide or regional coordination efforts: it to • Document and Assess Current Status – Inventory [email protected] existing community transportation services and the type/extent of on-going coordination efforts; and assess service redundancies, gaps and unmet needs; • Identify Opportunities – Identify new and upcoming transportation and coordination projects, initiatives and opportunities for improved coordination; and • Identify and Assess Challenges – Assess organizational, political, funding, and service delivery challenges that might thwart prospective coordination efforts.
PART I: ORGANIZATION CHARACTERISTICS AND SERVICES PROVIDED
1. Contact and Organization Information Name: Title: Organization: Address: City: Zip: Contact Phone: Fax Contact E-mail: Agency Website:
2. Type of Organization Publicly Sponsored Transit Agency Social Service Agency – Public Faith Based Organization Social Service Agency – Nonprofit Neighborhood Center Municipal Office on Aging Taxi/Wheelchair/Stretcher Service Nonprofit Senior Center Other:
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3. Major Functions/Services (please select all that apply) Transportation Diagnosis/Evaluation Health Care Job Placement Social Services Residential Facilities Nutrition Income Assistance Counseling Screening Day Treatment Information/Referral Job Training Recreation/Social Employment Homemaker/Chore Rehabilitation Services Other
4. What is your organizational structure? Local government department or unit (city or county) Transportation authority Private, non-profit organization Private, for-profit organization Other:
5. Who are your clients/customers who need transportation? (Check all that apply) Persons with disabilities; qualifiers Older adults Low-income / Medicaid recipients Agency/program clients General Public Other:
6. Estimate the number of your clients/customers who need transportation? Persons with disabilities; Number ____ Older adults; Number _____ Low-income: Number _____ Medicaid recipients: Number ____ Agency/program clients; Number _____ General Public; Number____ Other; Number ____ TOTAL Number ____
7. Geographic Service Area Regional (Specify Counties): Countywide (Specify County): Specific Municipalities (Specify): Other (Specify):
8. Involvement in Transportation or Transportation Assistance Fund transportation programs Directly operate public transportation services Hire contractors to provide public transportation services Directly operate human service agency transportation services Hire contractors to provide human service agency transportation services Arrange/provide volunteer driver and/or escort services Reimburse/subsidize transit/taxi fares/personal car mileage Other:
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Provide information referral services
9. Other Existing Community Transportation Services? (Please list the transportation other than your organization that is most commonly used by your consumers or you.) Organization Type of Customers Service Area Service Times Service
PART II: IDENTIFYING COORDINATION OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES 10. List the Three Most Useful Transportation Options (for persons with disabilities, older adults, persons with low-income) Service PWD Older Adults Low-Income Other Public Transit ADA Paratransit Taxis Human Service Agency
11. Identify the Greatest Constraints/Obstacles to Increased Mobility Service Limited Limited Limited Limited Funding High High Other Service Service Eligibility Trip Shortfall Service Fare Area Times Purposes Cost s Public Transit Taxis Non- profit services ADA Paratran sit (if appropri ate) Human Service Agency
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12. What are the greatest unmet needs in Belmont County for each population group? Unmet need Persons Older Adults Low-Income Other w/Disabilities Greater geographic coverage (including cross boundary/ jurisdictional service) Better hours Expand client/trip elig. (other)
13. What is your Current, Planned, or Former involvement in coordination (indicate C or P or F in boxes) Lead/Participate on a Coordination Committee/Council (see also below) Share service information, policies, procedures with other agencies Provide information to a centralized directory of community transportation services Will occasionally serve a trip for another agency Regularly share vehicles, staff, and/or training resources Participate in joint purchasing Purchase from/sell transportation service to other agencies Utilize same contractors and allow co-mingling of sponsored clients from different contracts Have consolidated call center, operational, and/or maintenance functions with other organizations Purchase service through a common broker Other: None
14. Please Rate your organization Governing Board’s Interest in Coordination Little interest Strong interest
1 2 3 4 5
15. Please Rate the Perceived Interest in Coordination within the region (In particular, the interest from Elected Officials, Agency Administrators, Other Leaders) Little interest Strong interest
1 2 3 4 5
16. List the Coordination Organizations or Committees Formed/Forming in Community Yes; Name: Participating organizations:
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Yes, but disbanded. Reason: No
17. What are the Challenges to Implementing Coordination/Mobility Improvement Strategies (Mark the Greatest Challenge) Statutory barriers to pooling funds Restrictions placed on the use of vehicles Liability/insurance concerns Turf issues among providers Billing/accounting issues Unique characteristics of client populations Other (Define): ______
18. Please List at least three of the most significant improvements needed to enhance coordination and/or improve mobility in Belmont County.
19. What Transportation Providers are Under-Utilized in the Belmont County? Organization Type of Customers Service Area Service Times Service
20. What are your agency’s plans to expand or enhance transportation services in the County/Region?
21. Ideas for how County, Municipal, or State organizations/officials could better support local coordination efforts
If you provide funding for transportation or transportation services please complete PART III of this Assessment.
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If you DO NOT provide funding for transportation or transportation services, you have finished the Assessment Tool. Thank you for your assistance.
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PART III: COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES & FUNDING INVENTORY 22. Type of Transportation Provided Fixed route transit (fixed path, fixed schedule, with designated stops) Flex route transit (deviations permitted off fixed path or between fixed, scheduled stops) Subscription service (determined by residences of customers/program participants and daily/regular trips to/from same location (e.g., agency, school, program site or medical provider) Demand response (includes casual appointments and subscription service) Other: ______
23. Eligibility Certification Required for Transportation? Yes Eligibility requirements: ____ No Notes: ______
24. Type of Trip Purposes Allowed Any trip purpose Agency program only Medical Shopping Recreational Employment/Training Other: ______
25. Additional Trip Eligibility / Service Availability Qualifiers None (anywhere/anytime) Only within this specific area: Only on these days and at these times: (specify below) Other:
Mon Tues Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Transportation service ______begins: ______
Transportation service ______ends: ______
26. Reservation Requirements There are no advance reservation requirements. Clients/customers must make an advance reservation (e.g., by telephone, fax, internet, arrangement through a third party, etc) _____ day(s) in advance
27. Fleet Size (Please complete the inventory and utilization information on the last page) Number of non-accessible vehicles: __ sedans/wagons | ___ minivans | ___ vans | ___ buses | ___ total Number of w/c accessible vehicles: __ sedans/wagons | ___ minivans | ___ vans | ___ buses | ___ total
28. Annual Ridership (Please estimate the typical number of individual passengers served through transportation per day/week/month or year if you do not track one-way trips.) Number of total one-way passenger trips per year (CY/FY 200__): trips
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Number of wheelchair trips per year (CY/FY 200__): wheelchair trips Check if ridership figures are estimates Notes:
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29. Operating Revenues Category Yes/No Actual, FY 2006 Transportation Operating Revenues – List Individually a) Fare revenues (cash); fare structure: ______b) Fare revenues (ticket/tokens purchased by third parties for customers) c) Passenger donations d) City government appropriations e) County government appropriate f) State government appropriation (s85.21) g) Grants directly received 1) FTA Section 5307 2) FTA Section 5311 3) FTA Section 5316 (JARC) 4) FTA Section 5317 (New Freedom) 5) STRAP 6) Title III (Older Americans Act) 7) Title XIX (Medicaid) 8) Other (List) 9) Other (List) h) Contributions from charitable foundations, etc. i) Other miscellaneous fundraising j) Other, not listed above (Explain) Total Transportation Revenues – Total
Capital Revenues Category Actual, FY 2006 Transportation Capital Revenues – List Individually a) FTA 1) FTA Section 5307 2) FTA Section 5309 3) FTA Section 5310 4) FTA Section 5317 (New Freedom) 5) FTA Other (list) b) Governmental Revenues c) Passenger Donations 1) State 2) County (list county) 3) City (list city) d) Fundraising e) Contributions from Charitable Foundations, etc. f) Other, not listed above (Explain) Total Transportation Capital Revenues – Total
Operating Expenses Category Actual, FY 2006 Transportation Operating Expenses – Total a) Administration b) Operations c) Maintenance d) Contracted Services: Contractor(s): ______Rate structure(s): ______e) Total
Notes:
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30. Service Reductions/Non-Expansion Are there services you formerly provided but had to cut due to operational or funding challenges? Or, are there expansions to service that are needed or desired but which you cannot provide? Why?
Please complete the vehicle inventory table on the following page. Include the hours of the day that each vehicle is typically in operation. For example, if the vehicle is available for demand response 24-hours a day, please only mark the hours that the vehicle is commonly utilized (peak hours).
Thank you for your cooperation
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A-10: Public Opinion Survey Belmont County Transportation Services Survey
Dear Belmont County Resident, Please take the time to fill out this survey about transportation services in Belmont County. The survey applies to all types of transportation including the bus service, human service agency vans, CAC, senior center vans, or a taxi.
1. What is your current mode of transportation? (Check all that apply)
__ I own a car ___ EORTA/OVRTA ___ I use a service provided by a senor center ___ I use a service provided by a public agency ___ I walk to get where I need to go ___ I ride with friends ___ I ride in a taxi to get where I need to go ___ I use a service provided by a retirement or nursing home
2. If you were to use transportation other than your personal vehicle, which would you prefer to use? (Check the best answer)
___ A service I could call to schedule to pick up near my home and drop me off near where I want to go. ___ A service that could pick me up at my home and drop me off exactly where I want to go. ___ A bus system similar to the EORTA/OVRTA. ___ I would not use transportation other than my vehicle.
3. What is your primary need/use for transportation? (Check all that apply)
___ Work ___ Primary, Middle, High, or Career Center ___ College A ___ Doctor/Hospital/Pharmacy visits -
22 ___ Social Services visit ___ Shopping ___ Social Outings
___ Other, please specify______
4. If you do not use any transportation other than your personal vehicle or a ride from friends/family, why not? (Check all that apply)
___ The cost of using the bus, taxi, human service agency, or senior center transportation is too expensive. ___ The hours of available bus, taxi, human service agency, or senor center transportation service are too limited. ___ The bus routes do not meet my destination needs. ___ It is more convenient for me not to use the bus or human service agency or senior center transportation. ___ I have no reason to use the current bus, human service agency, or senior center transportation. ___ Other, please specify______
5. Does any type of public transportation serve the area in which you work and/or live (include bus, taxi, senior center, human service agency, other)? (Check the best answer) ___ Yes ___ No ___ Not Sure 6. Are you satisfied with the level of transportation service in the area where you work and/or live (include bus, taxi, senior center, human service agency)? (Check the best answer) ___ Yes ___ No, please specify why______Not Sure
7. Do you know where to get on an EORTA/OVRTA bus? ___ Yes ___ No
8. Do you know how to schedule a trip with a human service agency, senior center transportation service provider, or taxi?
___ Yes ___ No A -
23 9. If using any type of transportation other than your personal vehicle, which days and hours would be most beneficial to you? Mark and X in each box that applies.
Time Mon. Tue. Wed. Thur. Fri. Sat. Sun. 5-7AM 7-10AM 10AM-12PM 12-3PM 3-6PM 6-9PM 9-12PM
10. What is your age? ______Years
11. In which zip code do you reside? ______
12. What is the nearest town/community to where you live?
______
13. Are you currently employed?
___ Yes ___ No
14. What are your daily work shift hours?
____:____ to ____:____
15. What is your total annual household income?
(1) Less than $5,000 (2) $5,000 to $9,999 (3) $10,000 to $14,999 A (4) $15,000 to $19,999 (5) $20,000 to $24,999 -
24 (6) $25,000 to $34,999 (7) $35,000 to $49,999 (8) $50,000 to $74,999 (9) $75,000 or more
A-10 (Continued): Summary of Public Survey Results
Total Number of Public Surveys Distributed: 200 Total Public Survey Responses: 37
Method of Distribution: Surveys were distributed to the public at the Ohio Valley Mall on July 13, 2009. Stakeholders for the project also distributed surveys to consumers and patrons during the month of July 2009.
Average Age of Survey Respondent: 45 Years
Annual Household Income Distribution of Survey Respondent: Less than $5,000: 42% $5,000 to $9,999: 23% $10,000 to $14,999: 27% $15,000 to $19,999: 4% $20,000 to $24,999: 4%
Current Mode of Transportation for Survey Respondents: Personal Vehicle: 57% Ride with a Friend: 39% Use a Service Provided by a Public Agency: 4%
Preferred Mode of Transportation other than Personal Vehicle or Friend: Call to schedule a pick up near my home and drop me off near where I want to go: 30% Pick up at my home and drop me off exactly where I want to go: 43% Similar to the EORTA/OVRTA: 3% I would not use transportation other than my vehicle: 24%
If you do not use transportation, why not: Cost of service: 12% Hours of available service do not meet my needs: 19% Bus routes do not meet my needs: 4% Transportation schedules are inconvenient: 12% No reason to use the bus or agency: 42% Other transportation: 11%
Does any type of public or agency transportation serve the area where you live: Yes: 60% No: 16% Not Sure: 24%
Do you know how to schedule public transportation or human service agency transportation: Yes: 44% No: 56%
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A-11: Public Meeting/Workshop Notice Posted July 3, 2009
Notice of Public Meeting
In August of 2005, Congress passed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), reauthorizing the surface transportation act. As part of this reauthorization, grantees under the New Freedom Initiative (5317), Job Access and Reverse Commute (5316), and the Elderly and Disabled Transportation Program (5310) must meet certain requirements in order to receive funding.
One of the SAFETEA-LU requirements is that projects from the programs listed above must be part of a “locally developed coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan.” This plan is required to be developed through a process that includes representatives of public, private, and non-profit transportation services, human service providers and the general public.
Agencies planning on applying for funding under section 5310, 5316, or 5317 must participate in plan development and meetings to be eligible. All agencies and individuals who have an interest in public transit and/or human services transportation are encouraged to participate in the development of the plan for Belmont County.
Belmont County has completed a portion of this plan and is in the process of updating it. The workshop to finalize Belmont County’s goals and strategies for the plan will be held on Monday, July 13, 2009 between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM at the Community Room in the Ohio Valley Mall near St. Clairsville, Ohio. The Community Room is located near the main entrance on the west or rear side of the mall. At this meeting the facilitators will provide a review of the transportation needs expressed by participating agencies in 2007, update those needs, and finalize the goals and objectives for local organizations to coordinate services and meet needs.
All interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting. Please RSVP to [email protected] or call Zach at (937) 299-5007.
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A-12: Invitation to Phase 2 Public Meeting Belmont County Commissioners Invite You to Attend The Coordinated Human Services- Public Transit Transportation Plan-Phase II Workshop!
Topics: -- Goals and Objectives for filling transportation gaps and meeting needs such as additional vehicles and coordinated services in Belmont County. -- Grant eligibility for: Section 5310: Transportation for Elderly People and People with Disabilities Section 5316: Job Access and Reverse Commute Section 5317: New Freedom Initiative
Goals established in 2007 to address transportation needs and gaps in services will be reviewed and updated. Attendance at prior meetings is not a pre-requisite.
Who Should Attend? Everyone planning to apply for grant funding under Section 5310, 5316, and 5317 must participate in the planning process. Human service agencies, non-profits, churches, schools, public and private transportation providers, transit riders, and Everyone interested in using or coordinating transportation and bringing more transportation opportunities to Belmont County.
Meeting is open to the public and we encourage your attendance!
The meeting will be facilitated by RLS & Associates, Inc. for Belmont County Commissioners Date: 07/13/2009 Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Address: Community Room at the Ohio Valley Mall
Please RSVP by 07/09/09
For information about the meeting or questions regarding building/room accessibility and other special accommodations, please contact Laura Brown at (937) 242-7136 or by e-mail [email protected]
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A-13: Phase 2 Public Meeting Sign-in Sheet July 13, 2009 Ohio Valley Mall, Community Room
Name Organization Address E-mail Phone Number Address: [email protected] 740-633-2876 Phil Wallace, Mayor City of Martins Ferry _355 5th St__ (doesn’t work) Cell: City: _Martins Ferry_ 740-296-0011
Zip: __43935_ Address: Michele- 740-695-5441 Michele Nardo Tri-County Help Center _104 ½ N. Marietta St___ [email protected]
City: St. Clairsville_ (doesn’t work)
Zip: _43950__ Address: [email protected] 304-232-2190 Tom Huizdos Eastern Ohio RTA __21 S. Huron St____ (doesn’t work) City: _Wheeling, WV___
Zip: __26003__ Address: [email protected] 740-695-4142 Kathy Hording Belmont Senior Services _45240 National Rd___ (doesn’t work) City: __St. Clairsville__
Zip: _43950__ Address: [email protected] 740-695-4142 Tim H. Johnson Belmont Senior Services _45240 National Rd___
City: __St. Clairsville__
A Zip: _43950__
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Name Organization Address E-mail Phone Number Address: [email protected] 740-699-4152 Stanley Stein City of Martins Ferry _ 35 S. 5th St__
City: _Martins Ferry _
Zip: _43935__ Address: [email protected] 740-695-0407 Steve Williams Belmont County Board _330 Fox Shannon Place __ Ext. 340 of Developmental City: _St. Clairsville _ Disabilities
Zip: _43950__ Address: [email protected] 740-695-0407 Pamela McCort BCBDD _330 Fox Shannon Place __ Ext. 335
City: _St. Clairsville _
Zip: _43950__ Address: 740-695-0233 Rick Helms BCBDD _330 Fox Shannon Place __
City: _St. Clairsville _
Zip: _43950__ Address: [email protected] 740-526-0540 Brent Kovalski Paramount Support _68138 Vineyard Rd __ Services (doesn’t work) City: _St. Clairsville _
Zip: _43950__ A - 29
Name Organization Address E-mail Phone Number Address: 740-699-2155 Ginny Favede Belmont County _ Courthouse__ Commissioner City: _St. Clairsville _
Zip: _43950__ Address: 740-425-9900 Aaron K. Wildman Barnesville Taxi Service _ 611 Bond ave__
City: _Barnesville _
Zip: _43713__ Address: [email protected] 740-695-1075 Dwayne Pieledt Belmont County DJFS _ 310 Fox Shannon Place__ Ext. 1100
City: _St. Clairsville _
Zip: _43950__ Address: [email protected] 740-633-5627 Jack Cera BCDJFS _ 310 Fox Shannon Place__
City: _St. Clairsville _
Zip: _43950__ Address: [email protected] 740-417-6167 Pegay Meola Barnesville Manie & _ 405 North St__ Bridegport Manor (doesn’t work) City: _Barnesville _
Zip: _43713__ A - 30
A-14: Participation Spreadsheet Invited to Participate in Completed Participated in Meetings and Stakeholder Attended Local Stakeholder One-on-One Contact Organization/Agency Survey Meeting(s) Survey Interview AARP Senior Community Service Employment Program Yes Alternative Residences Two, Inc Yes Associated Home Health Yes Assumption Catholic Church Yes Barnesville Church of the Nazarene Yes Barnesville Commons Apartments Yes Barnesville Elementary School Yes Randy J. Lucas, Superintendent Barnesville Exempt Village School District Yes Barnesville Health Care Center Yes Barnesville High School Yes Barnesville Hospital Yes Barnesville Hospital Home Health Yes Barnesville Independent Elementary School Yes Barnesville Manor Yes Yes Yes Barnesville Middle School Yes Barnesville Taxi Service Yes Yes Yes Beacon House Yes Bel-Capre Apartments Yes Bob Muransky Bel-O-Mar Regional Council Yes Yes Yes Mr Bill West Belco Crafts Yes Yes Yes Yes John E. Stinoski, Superintendent Bellaire Local School District Yes Ms. Karen Titonis Bellaire Senior Center Yes Belmont Career Center Yes Belmont County Chamber of Commerce Yes Yes Belmont Community Hospital Yes Mr Gordie Longshaw, President Belmont County Commission, Belmont County Courthouse Yes Mr Mark Thomas, Commissioner Belmont County Commission, Belmont County Courthouse Yes Mr Charles R. Probst, Jr., Commissioner Belmont County Commission, Belmont County Courthouse Yes Mr Dwayne Pielech, Director Belmont County Dept. of Job and Family Services Yes Yes Yes Yes Fred Bennett Belmont County Engineer, Belmont County Engineer Yes Belmont County Fair Housing Commission Yes Belmont County Health Department Yes Belmont County Park Health Center Yes Belmont County Society for Crippled Children and Adults Yes Sue Douglass Belmont County CIC/DOD Yes Yes Belmont Heights Apartments Yes Belmont Manor Nursing Home Yes Belmont Metropolitan Housing Authority Yes Mr Tim Johnson Belmont Senior Services Yes Yes Belmont Technical College Yes Bethesda Branch Library Yes Mr Charles G Claypool, President Bethesda Senior Citizens, Inc. Yes Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Upper Ohio Valley Yes
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A-14: Participation Spreadsheet
Bridgeport Branch Library Yes Mark H. Matz, Superintendent Bridgeport Exempt Village School District Yes Bridgeport Manor Yes Yes Yes Brookside Village Council Yes Yes Calcutta Health Care Center Yes Calvary Presbyterian Church Yes Cape View Yes Carnes Senior Apartments Yes CHCC Home Health Care Yes Church Alive Yes Church of Christ Yes Mr. Stanley Stein City of Martins Ferry Yes Mr Phil Wallace, Mayor City of Martins Ferry Yes Mr Robert Vincenzo, Mayor City of St. Clairsville Yes Ms Susan Stobbs Community Action Commission of Belmont County, Inc. Yes Yes Yes JJ Boroski Community Mental Health Services Yes Mr Richard Hurley Community Mental Health Services Yes Ms Jane Kalonick, BCAP Coordinator Community Mental Health Services Yes Yes Yes Connections of Belmont County Yes Yes Cornerstone Assembly of God Yes Cumberland Pointe Care Center Yes Ms Penny Narigon East Ohio Regional Hospital Yes Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center Yes Enduracare Yes Extras Support Staffing Yes Family Visitation Center Tri-County Help Center, Inc. Yes First Baptist Church SBC Yes First Presbyterian Church Yes Forest Hill Retirement Community Yes Fox Run Hospital Yes Fun Growing Development Center Yes Glenwood Village Yes Health America Yes Heartland-Lansing Yes Homecare Yes House of Hearts Yes Interim Healthcare Yes Jaycee Manor Yes Kid's Streets, LLC Yes Kontogiannis Terrace Yes Lansing Limited Yes Mark H Kennedy Retirement Park Yes Nick Stankovich, Superintendent Martins Ferry School District Yes Ms Lois Kwiatkowski Martins Ferry Senior Center Yes Medi-Home Health Agency Yes National Church Residences Yes Yes Nancys Kids Stop Yes Neffs Non-emergency Transport No Yes
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A-14: Participation Spreadsheet
Nichols Townhouses Yes North Point Consulting and Behavioral Health Services Yes Ohio Dept. of Job and Family Services Yes Ohio Hills Health Services (OHHS) Yes Yes Ohio University Eastern Yes Olney Friends School Yes Mr Thomas Hvizdos, Executive Director OVRTA/EORTA Yes Yes Yes Yes Park Health Center Yes Yes Parkview Yes Plumbly Townhouses Yes Powhatan Point Branch Library Yes Mrs Anna Urbanek, Director Powhatan Senior Center Yes Shadyside Care Center Yes Shadyside Garden Apartments Yes Terry Brinker, Superintendent Shadyside Local School District Yes St Clairsville Elementary School Yes St Clairsville High School Yes St Nicholas Orthodox church Yes St. Clairsville Council of Churches Christ the King Yes St. Clairsville Public Library Yes F. William W. Zanders, Superintendent St. Clairsville-Richland City School District Yes Stillwater Friends Meeting Yes Stone House Place Yes Yes The Georgian Pillars Bed and Breakfast Yes The Salvation Army Yes Thoburn United Methodist Church Yes H. K. Glasgow, Superintendent Union Local School District Yes Superintendent Union Local School District, Administrative Offices Yes United Methodiest Church Yes United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley Yes Mr Thomas Michelli, Mayor Village of Barnesville Yes Yes Mr Roger Deal, Village Administrator Village of Barnesville Yes Mr Vince Difabrizio, Mayor Village of Bellaire Yes Mr Richard Thompson, Mayor Village of Belmont Yes Mr Scott Blake, Mayor Village of Bethesda Yes Mr John J Callarik, Mayor Village of Bridgeport Yes Ms Carolyn Tennyson, Councilperson Village of Bridgeport Yes Mr Robert Thomas Jr, Mayor Village of Brookside Yes Ms Barbara Bashline, Mayor Village of Flushing Yes Mr Mark Foster, Mayor Village of Holloway Yes Mr Robert Thomas Jr, Mayor Village of Morristown Yes Mr Ryan Lee, Mayor Village of Powhatan Point Yes Mr Bob Newhart, Mayor Village of Shadyside Yes Walton Home Yes Mr Michael Sabota Wheeling Yellow Cab Company Yes Yellow Cab of Moundsville Yes Mr Joseph Campbell, Sr Yes Bill Thomas, EORTA Chairman Yes
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