1 18 th National Conference on Rural Public & Intercity Bus Transportation Conference Kimberly Gayle Office of Federal Transit Grants Programs Division of Mass Transportation October 21, 2008 Lessons Learned: State Experiences with JARC and New Freedom

2 Program Overview JARC Mission & Vision To Improve Mobility Mobility Across Across California California Targeted to welfare recipients and eligible low income individuals Improve access to employment related activities (reverse commute) Coordinate federally assisted programs

3 Lessons Learned Mission & Vision 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

4 Procedural Findings & Recommendations  Develop new program and procedures as result of SAFETEA-LU: IssueRecommendation Develop & 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.

5 Procedural Findings & Recommendations  Staff Stability  Limited Term Positions  State budget concerns IssueRecommendation Petition for permanent positions to keep consistency with program needs and staff from seeking employment elsewhere.

6 Application Findings & Recommendations  Submitted application unclear or incomplete IssueRecommendation Reform application to request information in a clear and defined structure from applicants when applying. Ensure applicants clearly identify specified funding sources

7 Budget Findings & Recommendations  Applicants annual budget reported incorrectly  Local match recorded incorrectly IssueRecommendation Instruct 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.

8 Evaluation/Scoring Findings & Recommendations  Evaluation/Review process  Project Description is unclear Ensure consistency of eligibility criteria between MPOs & State Agency IssueRecommendation Ensure project description is clear and defined as to what type of project (i.e. capital, operating, purchasing a bus)

9 Evaluation/Scoring Findings & Recommendations  Scoring Criteria Process IssueRecommendation Questions are answered in full detail as it pertains to the grant program goals and objectives.

10 Overall Lessons Learned  Submission of Grants  Grant awarded from Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Provide more overview to ensure grants are submitted in a timely manner. IssueRecommendation Work closer with Region to gain knowledge of FTA deadlines and requirements for FTA approval

11 Additional Information  Information is available in alternate formats by request:

12 CONTACT INFORMATION Bill Walker Branch Chief JARC and New Freedom Programs (916)

13 QUESTIONS?