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1818thth National Conference on National Conference on Rural Public Rural Public

& & Intercity Bus Transportation Intercity Bus Transportation

ConferenceConference

Kimberly GayleKimberly GayleOffice of Federal Transit Grants ProgramsOffice of Federal Transit Grants Programs

Division of Mass TransportationDivision of Mass Transportation

October 21, 2008

Lessons Learned: State Experiences Lessons Learned: State Experiences with JARC and New Freedomwith JARC and New Freedom

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Program OverviewProgram OverviewJARCJARC

MissioMission & n & VisionVision

To Improve To Improve

Mobility Mobility

Across Across

CaliforniaCalifornia

Targeted to welfare recipients and eligible low income individuals

Improve access to employment related activities (reverse commute)

Coordinate federally assisted programs

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Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

MissioMission & n & VisionVision

To Improve To Improve

Mobility Mobility

Across Across

California California

Provide an in depth analysis and objective evaluation of the JARC program

Provide findings and recommendations

Partnerships coordination among public transportation

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Procedural Findings & Procedural Findings & Recommendations Recommendations

Develop new program and procedures as result of SAFETEA-LU:

Issue RecommendationDevelop & Provide State

Management Plan (SMP), fact sheet, Internal procedural documents, Desktop manuals, that assist with staff and applicants knowledge base for grant program.Establish comprehensive procedures for application receiving, tracking, scoring, and administration.

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Procedural Findings & Procedural Findings & Recommendations Recommendations

Staff Stability Limited Term

Positions State budget

concerns

Issue Recommendation

Petition for permanent positions to keep consistency with program needs and staff from seeking employment elsewhere.

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Application Findings & Application Findings & Recommendations Recommendations

Submitted application unclear or incomplete

Issue RecommendationReform application to

request information in a clear and defined structure from applicants when applying.

Ensure applicants clearly identify specified funding sources

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Budget Findings & Budget Findings & RecommendationsRecommendations

Applicants annual budget reported incorrectly

Local match recorded incorrectly

Issue RecommendationInstruct applicant how to

calculate budget page. Include instructional procedures with application.

Instruct applicant how to calculate local match requirement based on FTA guidelines and total project cost.

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Evaluation/Scoring Evaluation/Scoring Findings & Findings &

RecommendationsRecommendations

Evaluation/Review process

Project Description is unclear

Ensure consistency of eligibility criteria between MPOs & State Agency

Issue Recommendation

Ensure project description is clear and defined as to what type of project (i.e. capital, operating, purchasing a bus)

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Evaluation/Scoring Evaluation/Scoring Findings & Findings &

RecommendationsRecommendations

Scoring Criteria Process

Issue Recommendation

Questions are answered in full detail as it pertains to the grant program goals and objectives.

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Overall Lessons LearnedOverall Lessons Learned

Submission of Grants

Grant awarded from Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

Provide more overview to ensure grants are submitted in a timely manner.

Issue Recommendation

Work closer with Region to gain knowledge of FTA deadlines and requirements for FTA approval

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Additional InformationAdditional Information Information is available in alternate

formats by request:

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/MassTrans/

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CONTACT CONTACT INFORMATIONINFORMATION

Bill WalkerBill WalkerBranch Chief JARC and New

Freedom Programs(916) 654-8222

Bill.walker.jr@dot.ca.gov

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/MassTrans/http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/MassTrans/5316.html5316.html

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QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?