[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 9, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11726-11728]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4609]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Technical Assistance Needs in Human Service Transportation 
Coordination

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice is soliciting comment on technical assistance 
needs in human service transportation coordination.

DATES: Comments must be submitted by June 15, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Comments are to be submitted via fax or electronic format. 
Comments may be faxed to Elizabeth Solomon, United We Ride Office, at 
202-366-3136. Comments submitted in electronic form may be sent to 
[email protected]

[[Page 11727]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Solomon at 202-366-0242; 
FAX: 202-366-3136.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Personal mobility is something easily taken 
for granted. For many people, this means merely starting the car or 
walking to the subway. However, an increasing number of Americans are 
unable to get to work, run errands, or access medical care simply 
because they do not have reliable transportation. In 2000, the number 
of older adults was more than 30 million, and is expected to double by 
2030. To date, almost 54 million people were reported to have 
disabilities. Many are individuals who cannot operate a vehicle because 
of medical conditions, disabilities, or other limitations. In addition, 
there are others who are unable to afford their own automobile, or live 
in areas without public transportation options. ``Human service 
transportation'' means meeting the basic, day-to-day mobility needs of 
transportation-disadvantaged populations, especially individuals with 
low-incomes, people with disabilities, and older Americans. The family 
of human service transportation services supported by Federal programs 
includes much more than dedicated buses or vans. It includes programs 
that reimburse consumers for taxi or public transportation use, provide 
bus tokens, purchase or modify private vehicles, reimburse consumers 
for gas and vehicle operating costs, operate school bus service, and 
provide technical assistance for transportation planning.
    There are many reasons to be concerned about human service 
transportation today. Specifically, the lack of transportation affects 
an individual's independence and opportunity. However, human service 
transportation is not just about improving individual lives, it is 
about improving all facets of our economy, culture, and society that 
rely on transportation systems to work effectively at the community 
level. When transportation does not work, other things--our healthcare 
system, our economy, and our civic culture--cannot work at their best, 
either. Reliable transportation is both a prerequisite for a healthy 
economy and often the first step toward independence and opportunity 
for people with low incomes, older adults, and people with 
disabilities. Individuals who are transportation-disadvantaged face 
different challenges in accessing services depending on whether they 
live in urban, rural, or suburban areas. The geographic dispersion of 
transportation-disadvantaged populations also creates challenges for 
human service programs hoping to deliver transportation for their 
consumers.
    In recognition of the fundamental importance of human service 
transportation and the continuing need to enhance coordination to 
maximize mobility, President Bush issued Executive Order 13330 on Human 
Service Transportation, in February 2004, directing 10 Federal 
departments and agencies to work together to ensure that transportation 
services are seamless, comprehensive and accessible. The Executive 
Order includes establishing a new Interagency Transportation 
Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM). Specifically, the 
CCAM is tasked with seeking ways to simplify access to transportation 
services for persons with disabilities, persons with lower incomes, and 
older adults. The Executive Order requires that CCAM work together to 
provide the most appropriate, cost effective services within existing 
resources, and reduce duplication to make funds available for more 
services.
    During the past year, the CCAM has launched United We Ride, a 
national initiative to implement the Executive Order, which is intended 
to simplify access, reduce duplication of Federal rules and 
regulations, and increase cost efficiencies using existing resources. 
To affectively implement United We Ride, the CCAM has developed a 
comprehensive action plan.

Issues for Exploration

    One of the consistent needs identified by Council members is the 
provision of technical assistance to provide transportation agencies, 
human service providers, consumers, and other community agencies with 
specific knowledge and information related to human service 
transportation. Technical assistance (TA) is a process within a dynamic 
context that enables a goal focused, strategy oriented, accountable 
organization to transfer knowledge to clients for the purpose of their 
growth, change, and improvement (National Early Childhood Technical 
Assistance System, 2001). TA is intended to provide extensive 
information and assistance to facilitate adoption or application of 
research-based or practice-based products, policies, or knowledge in 
order to improve the provision of services and ultimately impact 
outcomes for target populations who are the beneficiaries of the 
services (National Association of State Directors of Special Education, 
2001). TA may include, information dissemination, training, and 
enhancing capacity for building more efficient transportation services 
at the local and state levels. The overarching goals of this TA is to 
facilitate the expansion of transportation services and options for 
older persons, persons with disabilities and low income persons in 
their local communities. A key strategy to accomplish this expansion of 
service is coordination of transportation programs and initiatives.
    We are soliciting the views of the transportation industry, human 
service providers, and consumers of human transportation services 
specifically on the TA needs in the area of human service 
transportation expansion through coordination and other pertinent 
strategies. We seek specific information about TA strategies, topics, 
and approaches that would be useful to facilitate enhanced coordination 
and transportation services for people with disabilities, older adults, 
and people with lower incomes at the local level. The public is invited 
to share their views on existing technical assistance efforts and/or 
identify thoughts about future options for delivering effective 
technical assistance to the field. Your comments can be drawn from 
personal and/or professional experiences you have as a human service 
provider, a transportation agency, a state agency, or as a consumer of 
transportation services. Your comments may also include familiar 
practices that would be valuable to share among other people who 
provide services, or unmet needs that you may face at the state and/or 
local level.
    Specifically, we ask that you address one or more of the following 
or a related issues: Topics for TA: Are there specific topics/issues 
that you, your community, or your agency would find useful in advancing 
human service transportation.
    Strategies for TA: What types of TA, information and/or training 
would be helpful to you, your community, or your agency-in advancing 
human service transportation coordination? What types of formats and 
strategies (e.g., audio, visual, face to face, internet, newsletters, 
peer to peer, etc.) do you find most helpful and useful for learning 
new information?
    Experiences with TA: Do you have experience and/or examples with 
successful technical assistance strategies that have been useful for 
you, your community, or your agency? Please include any additional 
information that you believe will be helpful for enhancing TA in the 
area of human service transportation coordination.

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Listening Sessions

    In addition to the submission of written comments, members of the 
CCAM Workgroup on TA will also conduct up to five ``Listening 
Sessions`` during meetings hosted by national organizations being held 
across the country. Organizations interested in hosting a listening 
session on TA in human service transportation coordination, should 
submit a written request to [email protected] no later than May 
1, 2005. Date and times for listening sessions will be posted at 
[email protected].

    Dated: March 3, 2005.
Jennifer L. Dorn,
FTA Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-4609 Filed 3-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-M