Georgia Transit Association RHST Coordination Session

1. Georgia Transit Association RHST Coordination Session GDOT Update to the Statewide HST Coordination Plan Steve Kish, GDOT December 2, 2010

2. Statewide RHST Coordinated Plan Update

3. Statewide Coordinated Plan Update • Focus is on better Coordination of Rural Public and Human Service Transportation (RHST) • Transportation for older adults, persons with disabilities and persons with low income, including: • Agency-funded transportation, such as transportation to/from program activities • Rural public transit • Non-emergency medical transportation • Locally Appropriate and Feasible Structures • Work where possible within Existing Structures • RHST Program Support is Based on a Wide Range of Funding Programs

4. RHST Plan Update • Stakeholder Involvement • Top Down – Key State Agencies GDOT, DHS and DCH • Bottoms Up Approach – regional workshops • Needs Assessment • RHST Workshops in all 12 regional commission areas • Assess RHST coordination within the Regions • Alternatives Analysis • RHST Workshops in all 12 regional commission areas • Discuss Potential Regional HST Coordination Approaches • Preferred Alternative • Work with Regions on regionally tailored RHST plans • Work with State Agencies on statewide RHST coordination efforts • reporting, payment, inspections, driver qualifications and training • Pilot Projects • Three approaches to assist Regions in moving RHST coordination plans forward

5. RHST Plan Update - Three Themes • Administrative – Improved Efficiencies • Service Bundling • Inter-Agency Cooperation • Regional Approach • Coordinated Reporting Systems and Requirements • Operational – Improved Service Quality • Vehicles – Purchase, Insurance, Maintenance • Insurance • Service Delivery – IT & Scheduling Software • Utilization • Funding – Making the Dollars Stretch • Bundling • Service Payment • Ensure wise and efficient use of public funding • Leverage new funding to attract additional federal funds • Sustainable Sources

6. Projected Change for Age Groups between 2010 and 2030 in Georgia 125% 100% 75% 50% 25% 0% Total Under 18 18 - 24 25 - 44 45 - 64 65+ Age Group Why Change Now? • Growing Demand for HST • Aging population, people with disabilities↑ • New populations eligible for service: 500,000 new Medicaid by 2019

7. Why Change Now? • Demographic Changes • Aging in place, community-based services • Economic Challenges • Individual and household budgets constrained • Systemic Challenges • Budget constraints, staff reductions

8. Regional Issues and Success Factors

9. Coordination Elements

10. Regional Commission Key Issues Tailored Approaches, not a one size fits all Funding Program Reporting Requirements Lack of Consistent Fee Structure Vehicles - purchase, insurance, maintenance Vehicle Utilization Administrative Scheduling and Reporting Software

11. Other Region/State: Keys to Success Collaborative Partnership between DOT, DHS, DCH and Others as Appropriate Merge HST with Rural Public Transit Using “bundled” Funds as Program Revenue Financial Support and Partnership from Cities and Counties Passenger Fares Provide Some Revenues Centralized Reporting - Regulations Potential Mobility Management Approach Identified Champion

12. Georgia Success Stories \Regional Approaches to Coordinated Service Delivery

13. Mobility Manager A Role of the Mobility Manager • DOT- 5311 Funds • DHS - 5310 Funds • DHS- Other Human Service Funds • DCH- Medicaid Funds Regional Coordinating Council

14. Mobility Manager B Role of the Mobility Manager Role of the Providers • DOT- 5311 Funds • DHS - 5310 Funds • DHS- Other Human Service Funds • DCH- Medicaid Funds • Schedule/dispatch trips • Coordinate amongst selves to provide trips • Provide trips Regional Coordinating Council

15. Case Study: Southwest Georgia • Region Quick Facts • 14 Counties • Primarily rural • Largest city is Albany 76,000 residents (US 2008 Census • Region Accomplishments • Achieved coordination on Multiple Fronts • Administration and Oversight • Funding Streams • Service Delivery • Developed capacity throughout region • Strong network of operators • Consolidated administrative and management resources and functions • High level of professionalism • Simplified customer system • Especially for Medicaid

16. Southwest Georgia Region Administration and Oversight • SWGRC is Central Administrator and Service Broker • DHS, DCH and (most) GDOT Funding is coordinated through SWGRC • Applies for and manages funding • Allocates payment of funds to transportation providers (based on trips) • Ensures compliance with federal requirements • Handles all reporting and oversight • SWGRC manages a call center and brokerage for DCH (NET Medicaid) • Assigns trips based on rider needs and trip origin and destination • Simplified access for clients and customers • Services are concentrated around five providers. • Four providers are managed by the SWGRC • Through contracts or direct oversight • Ensure compliance

17. Case Study: Coastal Georgia • 10 Counties • Largest urbanized area outside of the metropolitan Atlanta region • 638,254 population (2009) • 35 cities • Military Installations • 49% increase in the area’s population between now and 2030 • Over 65 population • 11% currently • 19% by 2014

18. Coastal Georgia Coordinated Funding • Coastal Regional Commission • Single recipient of transportation funds • Coordinates regional (local) funding contributions • Staffs Regional Transportation Commission • Participation from all 10 counties • DHS and public transit funding coordinated • Results in regional rather than local system • Single call-in number for individuals needing rides • Directed to appropriate provider based on geography

19. Three Rivers • 10 Counties • 2 counties — Coweta and Spalding — in Atlanta Regional Commission MPO boundaries • 58% increase in population between now and 2030 • 22% over 65 by 2014 • Public Transit Operators (also DHS operators): • Heard Transit • Heard Transit • Troup Transit • Coweta County Transit • Three Rivers Transit System • Butts • Lamar • Pike • Spalding • Upson • DHS-Only Operator • Quality Trans • Meriwether & Carroll

20. Three Rivers Transit Operations Coordination • RC is central administrator for the regional transit program (all providers). • Monitors all work done by the Third Party Operator (COATS) • Compliance with state and federal regulations • Regional transit system – Three Rivers Transit System • Participating counties have annual agreements with the RC, and pays their share of projected transportation funding • Working towards expanding regional transit system and services

21. Closing Comments Thank you! • Project Contact info: • Steve Kish, GDOT, skish@dot.ga.gov • Daniel Foth, CHA, dfoth@chacompanies.com