Overview of the Florida Transportation Disadvantaged Program "Spotlight on Success": Promoting Practices in Coordinating Human Service Transportation February 24, 2004

What makes Florida's Coordinated System Unique? A Legislative Mandate: Chapter 427, Florida Statutes (F.S.) Dedicated Funding Source

History of Coordination in Florida 1970's - Coordination is born 1980's - Coordination grows 1990's - Coordination flourishes 2000's - Coordination Expands

Who is on the Commission? 27 Members: 6 State Agencies (Medicaid, DCF, etc...) 5 Citizen Representatives 1 CTC Representative 6 Transportation Operators 6 Non-Transportation Business Representatives 2 Association Representatives (Community Action and Transit) 1 Dept. of Labor (abolished in 2002)

Who is the Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged? State Agency Provide Policy development Implement TD program Assure quality service delivery Purchase transportation

What's Our Mission? To ensure the availability of efficient, cost-effective and quality transportation services for transportation disadvantaged persons.

Who is Transportation Disadvantaged? Persons who are unable to transport themselves or purchase transportation due to: - Physical or mental disability - Income status - Age

How Many People Are Considered "TD"? Florida's Potential TD Population Projections 2002 6.19 Million 2010 7.34 Million 2015 8.25 Million Florida's Total Population 2002 16.7 Million 2010 17.4 Million 2015 18.5 Million Source: Center for Urban Transportation Research, University of South Florida, 5/20 Year Plan and the U.S. Bureau of the Census, Population Division

Who are Our Partners? Community Transportation Coordinators (CTCs) - One local, county level entity - 49 entities in 67 counties - 10 CTCs operate on a multi-county basis Transportation Operators - 467 entities statewide - 84% are private non-profit or private for-profit Designated Official Planning Agencies - 32 entities statewide

Who are Our Partners? Local Coordinating Boards (LCBs) - 64 LCBs statewide Purchasing Agencies - Fund transportation services - Medicaid, Developmental Services, Voc. Rehab., Dept. of Elder Affairs, Local Government, etc... - TD Trust FUnd (Commission funding source) Consumers - 663,302 (unduplicated number)

What are the Purchasing Agency Responsibilities? Statewide Level - Serve on the Commission presenting policy input for improvements - Assure districts or area offices implement policies conducive to coordinated transportation. Local Level - Serve on the local coordinating board. - Educate state-level policy makers on their local TD Program and seek policy direction.

Who Funds TD Services? Total FY 2003 Revenues = $302,659,367   As reported in the FY 2003 Annual Performance Report

Who Funds TD Services? CTD (Commission for the Transp. Dis.) $31,043,211 USDOT (Dept. of Transportation $14,373,175 DCF (Children and Families) $28,272,734 AHCA (Health Care Administration $69,153,870 DOE (Education) $538,172 DOEA (Elderly Affiars) $7,859,417 DOH/DCA/DJJ/DLES (Health, Community Affairs, Juvenile Justice, Labor and Empl. Services) $2,146,471 Other Federal Programs $11,941,392 Local Government $109,837,772 Local Non-Government $14,633,983 Fare Box $12,859,170 2003 Total Revenues $302,659,367 As Reported in the FY 2003 Annual Performance Report

Who is Riding the System?   As reported in the FY 2003 Annual Performance Report

FY 2003 Trips by Type By Type of Service 2002 2003 % Change Fixed Route 27,630,351 33,283,269 20% Deviated Fixed Route 1,128,145 1,195,890 6% Ambulatory 15,554,176 15,287,285 -2% Non-Ambulartory 3,260,373 2,898,946 -11% Stretcher 83,714 84,826 1% School Board Services 519,383 366,864 -29% Total Trips 48,716,142 53,117,080 10% Trip Purpose 2002 2003 Medical 18,395,279 20,384,134 Employment 4,867,033 4,708,483 Education/Training 11,031,242 10,829,434 Nutritional 7,365,756 7,803,857 Life-Sustaining/Other* 6,503,261 9,391,172 Total 48,176,142 53,117,080 *Life-Sustaining/Other is defined as “anyone transported for the purpose of conducting personal business (e.g.- banks, social service offices); and shopping, excluding grocery shopping. Or anyone transported for reasons other than the above. This could include after school programs, transporting persons against their will, social, or recreational reasons.”

What Makes Up The Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund (TDTF)? 15% Florida DOT Public Transit Block Grant - $9,930,001 $1.50 License Tag Fees - $19,130,000 Voluntary Dollar - License Tag - $19,000 Temporary Disabled Parking Permits - $186,000 Direct Transfer from the State Transportation Trust Fund - $6,000,000 Fiscal Year 2004/05 Estimate = $35.2 million

Are there Unmet Needs for the TDTF Trips? Yes!!! 709,597 denied trips reported in FY 2003. Lack of Fixed Route, no other options in more rural areas. Trip Priorities Operating hours are limited Elder vision screening began on January 1, 2004.

How does the Bus Pass Program work? For Medicaid - Client contacts Medicaid for eligibility - Referred to CTC for transportation - CTC screens the applicant Other agencies (including TD) purchase bus passes. Only 23 Florida counties have access to a transit system, many of these sytems provide limited service.

How Much is the State of Florida Saving using Bus Passes? Medicaid: - Miami-Dade County alone ahs saved Medicaid over $59 million since 1993 and currently saves $600,000 per month. - Broward reports saving $23,000 per month. - Orange County reports $25,000 per month.

Does Coordination Save Money $$$? An Independent Assessment conducted for the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) showed the coordinated system has saved millions to the State of Florida.

Challenges Facing Florida's Coordination Efforts Various program standards and requirements Local ordinances impeding coordination Consistent program information and education Compliance with Chapter 427, F.S. Lack of funding

Thank You!!! Thank you for listening and learning about the Florida Transportation Disadvantaged Program. Any questions?

Contact Information Lisa M. Bacot Interim Executive Director Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged 605 Suwannee Street, MS 49 Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450 Lisa.bacot@dot.state.fl.us (850) 410-5711, (800) 983-2435 (850) 410-5752 fax (800) 955-8771 Florida Relay- TDD