Introduction

Discover the creative and innovative approaches adapted by direct recipients or subrecipients of FTA Section 5310 funding, known as Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities. The transportation programs showcased in this resource will feature the non-traditional uses of 5310, thinking beyond the bus, and how their programs can improve the lives of older adults, people with disabilities and the communities where they live. NADTC’s 5310 Profiles will highlight volunteer transportation programs, mobility management, multisector coordination, outreach or partnership strategies, improved accessibility, and more.

FTA 5310 Direct Recipients

Photo courtesy Hearts and Hands Faith in Action

• Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

FTA 5310 Subrecipients

• Bosma Center for Visionary Solutions
• Hearts and Hands Faith in Action
• Jackson Medical Mall Foundation

 

5310 Direct Recipients

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

BEST PRACTICES

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) employs a range of best practices to enhance mobility and accessibility for older adults and people with disabilities. These strategies use Section 5310 and other innovative funding solutions, collaborative partnerships, and data-driven approaches to create sustainable and effective transportation programs.

Photo courtesy of Metropolitan Washington COG

• Works closely with transportation committees to develop a unified vision for regional transportation.
• Uses the coordinated plan to establish evaluation criteria for competitively awarding funds.
• Maintains a comprehensive website and hosts trainings to inform the public as well as current and potential applicants of Section 5310 funding priorities, opportunities, and selection criteria.
• Evaluates and funds a variety of projects to meet the region’s needs, including vehicle expenses, operating costs and innovative services like travel training and mobility management.
• Collects data from projects to determine effectiveness; uses findings to recommend changes for future funding opportunities.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Metropolitan Washington COG is a direct recipient of FTA Section 5310 funds. The COG serves all of Washington, D.C., and 23 other jurisdictions in Maryland and Virginia. Organizations and local governments located within jurisdictions comprising the Washington—Arlington, DC—VA—MD Urbanized Area (UZA) are eligible subrecipients of Section 5310 funds.

The COG is advised by a board of directors and the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB). The TPB is the federally designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Washington DC metropolitan region and is staffed by COG employees. The TPB is responsible for the region’s Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan, which is updated every four years. Every two years, COG/TPB conducts an open solicitation throughout the region for applications from prior Section 5310 subrecipients and potential new subrecipients for its grants awarded through a competitive process.

The close coordination between COG and the TPB, and their shared vision and goals for the region, allows Enhanced Mobility staff, who work specifically on Section 5310 funding, to approach program implementation through the lens of its Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan. This plan serves as the framework for COG’s Enhanced Mobility grant program. The plan identifies the unmet needs of the community of older adults and people with disabilities and prioritizes these to guide the selection of Section 5310 grant awards.

The Section 5310 funding solicitation is posted on the COG website, promoted through committees and subcommittees of the TPB (e.g., Access for All Advisory Committee, the Long-Range Planning Task Force and Community Advisory Committee) and sent directly to past recipients. COG/TPB conducts an initial review of the applications to ensure alignment with selection criteria, including coordination among agencies, responsiveness to the Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan, institutional capacity, project feasibility, regional need and customer focus. Following internal review, applications are forwarded to a selection committee comprised of DC Council members, local representatives from Maryland and Virginia and others who score and make recommendations to the TPB, which approves the final awards.

FUNDING

Most subrecipients of Section 5310 funding are nonprofit organizations, including Area Agencies on Aging, the ARC, Jewish Councils for the Aging, the Chinese Cultural and Community Service Center, Boat People SOS, and other organizations serving older adults and people with disabilities. About 50 percent of Section 5310 funding typically is approved to purchase or replace vehicles. Past project selections for accessible vehicles include Leisure World, a shared-ride transportation service for the City of Hyattsville, MD, and the Fairfax Mobility Access Project of the Fairfax County, VA, Neighborhood & Community Services.

COG/TPB also considers other capital and operating projects that support innovation and out-of-the-box thinking, as reflected in past Section 5310 projects to support construction of ADA-compliant sidewalks and bus stops in Rockville, MD; a mobility management program operated by Capitol Hill Village in DC; and a travel training program operated by the Dulles Area Transportation Association (DATA) for Fairfax County, NV Rides and The ARC of Northern Virginia. Capitol Hill Village and DATA also use their Section 5310 funding to increase awareness of transportation options and expand the availability of transportation services to underserved populations, including older adults, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

COORDINATION/PARTNERSHIPS

COG/TPB has broad goals related to mobility, accessibility, sustainability, livability and prosperity. Working with local, state, regional, and federal partners, the TPB coordinates future plans, provides data and analysis to decision makers, and coordinates regional programs to advance safety, land-use coordination, and more. The Enhanced Mobility program under Section 5310 is one of many regional transportation programs administered by COG/TPB staff, including Commuter Connections, the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program, Transit Within Reach Program, and the Transportation Land-Use Connections Program. The Enhanced Mobility program focuses on needs identified in the Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan. By providing incentives for coordination, the Enhanced Mobility program seeks to improve standards, level of service, and operations of services and programs.

COG/TPB is involved in several community-wide efforts as well, including a partnership with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), announced in April 2024, to develop a unified vision for the region’s transit system. The boards of directors of COG and WMATA are working to identify ways to efficiently provide, fund and govern public transit, and in partnership with government, business, labor, and civic stakeholders, focus on the region’s long-term transit needs.

PROGRAM IMPACT

Due to the efforts of COG/TPB to coordinate the Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan with Section 5310 funding, grant solicitations are more likely to focus on the area’s identified transportation priorities. That connection also helps to ensure that Section 5310 projects align with the unmet needs identified by older adults and people with disabilities.

COG is particularly proud of its online process for working with subrecipients.

The streamlined and efficient website, which includes Section 5310 application requirements and application forms, supports online applications, lists currently funded projects, and enables subrecipients to submit progress reports online. The website supports communication with prospective applicants and grantees, while also enhancing the administration of the Section 5310/Enhanced Mobility Program.

Download a pdf of Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments profile

5310 Subrecipients

Bosma Center for Visionary Solutions

BEST PRACTICES

Image provided by IndyStar

• IndyGo provides an opportunity for local nonprofits to purchase accessible vehicles with 5310 funds.
• Partnerships allow Bosma to extend their services into the community.
• Bosma clients going through travel training can receive an IndyGo bus pass to travel to more locations
  throughout the community.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Established in 2009, Bosma Center for Visionary Solutions is the largest provider of rehabilitation services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, Bosma served 897 clients in 2023, also receiving 1,400 calls annually to their resource line for assistance. Bosma offers community-based services for older adults and working-age individuals who cannot navigate from their home to work, and provides intensive job skills training, job placement and career coaching to assist clients when entering the workforce.

At the Bosma Rehabilitation Center they offer hands-on, customized training for everyday skills, including cooking and cleaning, and on assistive technologies like computers, cellphones or screen readers. Center staff will work with the client and caregiver to enhance their skill set through one- or multi-day training sessions depending on the needs of the client. Bosma serves a large region and has clients traveling from around the state to receive training, and by including transportation as part of their available services, family caregivers can get some much-needed respite. Through a partnership with the designated Section 5310 recipient, IndyGo, Bosma has applied for and received accessible vehicles to provide transportation to their clients participating in training programs at their rehabilitation center and throughout the community, contributing to the long-term success of their clients.

FUNDING

Bosma is a subrecipient of FTA Section 5310 funding through IndyGo, the transportation provider for the Indianapolis urbanized area. Section 5310 funding has allowed Bosma to purchase accessible vehicles that transport roughly 125 clients annually throughout the community, as well as from nearby hotels for clients traveling from out of town to participate in training at their rehabilitation center. By awarding funding to local non-profits, IndyGo can augment their daily operations to provide additional options to clients of nonprofits like Bosma to transport their clients. Bosma saw the need to develop new partnerships in the community and will be seeking additional 5310 funding for a mobility management position in 2025. This new position will be vital to working with the travel trainers currently at the rehabilitation center to understand the needs of their clients, but also generating awareness of their programs and accessible transportation throughout Indianapolis.

Acquiring accessible vehicles with FTA Section 5310 funding allows:

• Increased participation in the services offered by Bosma,
• Flexibility to utilize Bosma’s own vehicles and schedule to transport clients to work activities within Indianapolis,
• Expanded transportation options for Bosma’s clients through partnerships with IndyGo,
• Opportunity for clients to live independently without relying on friends or family.

COORDINATION/PARTNERSHIPS

Partnerships with entities like IndyGo have enhanced the services offered by Bosma, by integrating travel training into their current services, clients have the flexibility of using both Bosma and IndyGo transportation. Bosma has incorporated travel training using their own vehicles and IndyGo’s to broaden their client’s ability to travel outside of Bosma’s business hours, those receiving travel training, IndyGo offers free passes to be used on their bus and rail lines. Having multiple transportation options within the community allows clients to travel independently, not only to work activities, but to medical, social and essential services throughout the community.

Bosma’s CEO continues to grow the partnership by joining the IndyGo Board of Directors, representing people with disabilities. Bosma staff also support IndyGo by reviewing and evaluating accessible features at their facility, along routes and in mobile app features, especially when adding new services. By experiencing transportation services from the viewpoint of a person with the disability, IndyGo can gain valuable insights on ways to design future programs to be accessible to all users.

PROGRAM IMPACT

Bosma offers orientation and mobility (O&M) as part of their regular services, which helps clients with visual impairments navigate around their home, community or workplace. Travel Training is integrated into the O&M services at Bosma, and offers the skills and education needed to travel independently without relying on friends or family to transport them where they want to go. Bosma vehicles are primarily used for work related activities, so having access to IndyGo allows clients to expand their opportunities throughout the entire community.

Reliable transportation increases the likelihood of success for the participants in Bosma’s programs, by integrating the skills needed to utilize transportation into their current programming, Bosma can ensure their clients will arrive to their destination safely. When clients come from out of town, they rely on Bosma’s accessible vehicles to get to the rehabilitation center to provide reliable and safe demand-response transportation options tailored to the needs of their clients. Riding transportation allows clients the freedom to navigate their community on their own without relying on friends or family, and through a partnership with IndyGo, clients have multiple transportation options that can help to lead independent lives.

Download pdf of BOSMA Center for Visionary Solutions profile

Hearts and Hands Faith in Action

Photo courtesy of Helping Hears and Hands Faith In Action

BEST PRACTICES

• Use of various funding sources as local match (federal fund braiding)
  • Older Americans Act grant funds.
  • Local organizational partnerships for fundraising efforts.
  • In-kind match from volunteer mileage and donated office space.
• Use of FTA Section 5310 to support operational expenses of a volunteer driver program which is a non-traditional Section 5310 project that fills the transportation gap for older adults and persons with disabilities.
• Coordination with local government entities, businesses, faith-based and human services organizations to enhance community transportation options.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Hearts and Hands Faith in Action (HHFIA) is a volunteer based non-profit organization that provides free transportation and in-home services for older adults age 60+ and adults with disabilities living in the Erie and Eastern Niagara Counties of New York. The program addresses social isolation through three avenues of service: transportation, household support, and companionship.

HHFIA volunteers provide FREE door-through-door escorted transportation using their personal vehicles. Their door-through-door services include the personalized care that HHFIA volunteers offer during a trip, such as taking the groceries into the home or providing company in a doctor’s waiting room. There are no set schedules or routes, no specific trip purposes and no need for computers, smart phones, or internet access to schedule a ride. HHFIA provides transportation options for medical visits and lifestyle opportunities such as shopping, visits with family and friends, and attending faith- based services.

HHFIA coordinators match the volunteer with the need of the care recipient. They assist recipients to the vehicle from their home, remain in the waiting room for medical visits and help to unload groceries from shopping trips when needed.

Volunteers receive mileage reimbursement for every trip mile travelled from their home. Driver reimbursement is paid by local funding sources, and the volunteer hours and mileage are used as in-kind contributions for local match for the 5310 grant.

Volunteer and care recipient profiles are housed in a software database that is also used for entering trip information. HHFIA used Section 5310 to purchase the software, and it funds the annual fee for software use. The software is also used for scheduling care recipient’s trip request. Each week, volunteers review pending trip requests through a volunteer portal. This allows the volunteer to choose trips that are convenient for their schedule and/or comfort.

HHFIA utilizes FTA Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Operational funding for:

• Coordinator and Administrator Salaries
• Volunteer Insurance Premiums
• Volunteer Background Check Fees
• Program Overhead Costs such as Facility Rent, Annual Software Fee

Up to 45 percent of FTA’s Section 5310 grant apportionment from NY DOT may be utilized for capital and operating projects that assist older adults and individuals with disabilities transportation needs as found in the newly updated FTA Section 5310 Circular (Section IV-5.3.a.). Eligible projects include travel training, mobility management and volunteer driver programs. FTA encourages innovative solutions to meet the needs of older adults and people with disabilities in their communities. Discuss projects with FTA regional staff to determine eligibility.

FUNDING

The HHFIA is a subrecipient of FTA Section 5310 funding from the New York State Department of Transportation through a competitive grant program. The FTA grant funds cover 50 percent of the net operating costs, leaving 50 percent of the net operating costs paid by local share. The local share is paid through the Older Americans Act (OAA) funds from the two counties served and HHFIA program in-kind contributions. HHFIA uses donated office space, volunteer mileage, and volunteer hours for in-kind contributions. The Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) created the Federal Fund Braiding Guide which provides guidance for using various federal funding for local match such as the use of Administration for Community Living (ACL) and OAA funding to match FTA Section 5310 grants.

In addition to local government and in-kind contributions, HHFIA partners with local faith-based organizations in fundraising efforts toward the local match. In recent years, as much as $15,000 has been raised through these efforts.

Fundraising along with private and local foundation donations support direct costs such as volunteer mileage reimbursement, recruitment and retention efforts. HHFIA hosts volunteer recognition events such as monthly coffee hours and an annual volunteer picnic. Local businesses donate gift cards for a volunteer raffle and a local grocery store gift card is given to each volunteer once a year. These events are hosted to show appreciation and to celebrate volunteers.

COORDINATION/PARTNERSHIPS

Coordination and partnerships are established through regional focus groups, faith- based and local human service organizations. This is an example of mobility management at a local organization level.

Regional focus group meetings provide the opportunity to discuss case-specific needs and services of other regional organizations and agencies. HHFIA staff attend several monthly and quarterly focus group meetings hosted by local private foundations and the Erie County Department of Senior Services. It’s through these meetings; case workers may present specific examples of client needs and HHFIA staff attempt to assist with mobility and transportation solutions when possible. These meetings also provide an opportunity to educate various human service organizations and associations about HHFIA services and volunteer opportunities.

Consistent communication with local government entities has established productive and effective partnerships through monthly reporting of completed trips, the number of clients assisted, miles driven, and volunteer hours contributed provides service details to their local government partners. HHFIA participates in the regional coordination
plan by providing feedback for transportation needs and services in the areas served. The local government entities create the plan and call on HHFIA to provide information gathered from client transportation requests. HHFIA also assists local government agencies by distributing community needs assessment surveys to HHFIA volunteers, staff and clients.

HHFIA has established partnerships with multiple local faith-based organizations. Each church invites HHFIA to present to their congregation at least once a year. The speaking engagement can vary, depending on context but have included a five-minute presentation on HHFIA services during announcements before a service; a 15-to 20-minute presentation during service; a panel discussion between the pastor and HHFIA staff; a hosted coffee hour before or after service and speaking to a specific church group. This has not only helped with fundraising but also helped with gaining volunteers. HHFIA has received funds from the church’s outreach budget; special offering day designated to HHFIA; and a church hosted annual art show where the door entry fees collected are then donated to HHFIA.

PROGRAM IMPACT

Through its transportation services, HHFIA increases access to medical care, food security, and opportunities for physical and social activity. The door-through-door services include additional personalized assistance the volunteers provide during each trip. To better prepare their volunteers for this level of service, HHFIA requires all volunteers to complete a mandatory 90-minute training course provided by HHFIA. This training includes:

• CPR/AED Training
• Building Rapport with Clients
• Working with Clients who have Dementia or Alzheimer’s
• Working with Clients who are hearing impaired
• Mobility Simulation (how to assist clients in and out of the vehicle with walkers, grab handles, swivel seats)
• Conflict De-escalation
• Hoarding

Optional training events throughout the year keep volunteers engaged and recognition events are held to show their appreciation for volunteer contribution.
In addition to the transportation service provided, HHFIA lends the opportunity for residents to provide volunteer service as little or as much as their time allows. The program makes it easy and flexible to coordinate with the volunteer’s schedule. Business, faith, or civic groups are welcome, typically assisting with yard work or preparing for the winter and spring months.

HHFIA’s Volunteer Transportation service has been successful in filling the gap in services for older adults and adults with disabilities while expanding their community’s transportation services. They provide an opportunity for local residents to volunteer and continue to build partnerships throughout the areas they serve. With multiple funding sources, such as FTA’s Section 5310, the Older Americans Act, local foundation grants, fundraising and donations, sustainability has been achieved. As important as program funding is, they attribute the program’s success to its volunteers.

Download pdf of Hearts and Hands Faith in Action profile

Jackson Medical Mall Foundation

Photo courtesy of Jackson Medical Mall Foundation

BEST PRACTICES

• Section 5310 can fund a variety of services, including vouchers to support the mobility needs of older adults and people with disabilities.
• Diverse funding sources and partners assist in meeting local match requirements and improve program sustainability.
• Mobility Management programs help individuals navigate the transportation options available.
• Consumer and partner surveys and assessment tools like the MM-SAT tool inform data-driven strategies to improve service.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Jackson Medical Mall Foundation (JMMF) operates a comprehensive transportation program designed to enhance mobility for older adults and people with disabilities in rural Hinds County, Mississippi. One aspect of the program is a 900,000 square foot medical and retail facility that serves approximately 200,000 health care customers annually. The program ensures that older adults and people with disabilities can access critical health care services, including those receiving cancer treatment at the University of Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Institute, situated within the mall. The mall brings together medical and health professionals, along with other community partners, such as day care centers and recreation providers, to create a one-stop location where residents can access an array of important health and well-being services.

The following transportation programs are administered by JMMF and funded with the FTA Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program:

• Mobility Management – Trained mobility managers provide one-on-one support to help individuals identify the best transportation options based on their specific needs, schedules, and service needed at the medical mall.
• Demand Response Service – The demand response provides a door-to-door services for those utilizing services in the Jackson Medical Mall through a purchase of service agreement with the local transit agency, JTRAN Rides.
• Call Center – The call center collaborates with local transportation providers like taxis, private on demand providers and public transportation and community organizations to create a comprehensive network of services, ensuring that users have access to reliable transportation for medical appointments, grocery shopping, and other essential activities.
• Transportation Voucher Program – Cash vouchers, up to $50 a month, are provided to older adults and people with disabilities enrolled in the program to get to medical trips outside the city limits. Vouchers can be used with the participating taxi provider.

JMMF provides reliable and safe demand-response transportation options through purchased service agreements that are tailored to the needs of the community. Additionally, the program includes a Transportation Voucher Program, which enables older adults and people with disabilities to access transportation services outside regular hours, both during weekdays and on weekends.

In addition to transportation services, JMMF offers a mobility management program that assists customers in navigating their transportation options, further enhancing access to care. For more information visit the JMMF website.

FUNDING

The JMMF is a subrecipient of FTA Section 5310 funding from Mississippi DOT, through a competitive grant program. For the 2023/2024 fiscal year, JMMF was awarded $491,843 in 5310 grant funding as a subrecipient. The organization is supplemented by various other sources from private non-profit organizations, local government entities and stakeholders who contribute funding through retail lease payments, housing rental fees, private donations, event rental fees, and research institute awards which all contribute to the local match required for the Section 5310 funding.

COORDINATION/PARTNERSHIPS

Coordination across service providers is reinforced through regional meetings at the medical mall location. Some mall tenants are directly connected to medical and health care such as dental and medical providers, while others such as a nail salon and dance studio contribute to monthly rent expenses critical to sustaining the facility. This enables community residents, who access the mall for health care services, to also access supplementary services that contribute to their overall wellbeing. The variety of partners affirms the value of a comprehensive approach to health.

When patients receiving cancer treatment at the University of Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Institute need transportation services, they reach out to the JMMF call center to identify transportation options. Their partnership and relationship facilitate the ease of arranging transportation service.

Another example of effective collaboration in the Jackson Metropolitan area is the partnership between the JMMF, the City of Jackson’s Human and Cultural Services Division, and Bolivar County Council on Aging, Inc. which operates BCCOA Transit). This alliance has significantly improved transportation options for older adults, enabling them to attend social events, visit loved ones, and access health care, ultimately reducing loneliness and promoting overall quality of life.

PROGRAM IMPACT

Reliable transportation enhances mobility, access to essential services, social engagement, and independence. Recognizing this need, the JMMF has forged partnerships with various organizations to improve transportation access in the area. Important to this work is the recognition that non-transportation providers, such as childcare centers, counseling services, farmers market, hair and nail salons and restaurants, programs are critical contributors to health and well-being – creating a holistic approach to health.

Feedback is collected from participants through surveys. These surveys indicate clients can now reach medical appointments, grocery stores, and other daily activities that were previously inaccessible. Feedback from partner organizations confirm the viability and efficacy of this work. Additionally, JMMF has been working with the National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM), another FTA-funded national technical assistance center now known as Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM).

Program leaders describe the JMMF model as successful and sustainable in enriching the quality of life for Mississippians in Hinds County and recognizes the value of a holistic approach to health and well-being.

Download pdf of Jackson Medical Mall Foundation profile