Formula Grant TX2022007

APPLICATION PURPOSE: CAPITAL METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (CAPITAL METRO) IS SUBMITTING THIS APPLICATION ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND 3 SUBRECIPIENTS FOR $171263 IN SECTION 5310 FEDERAL FUNDS APPROPRIATED THROUGH THE CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE AND RELIEF SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 2021. CAPITAL METRO CERTIFIES THAT THESE FUNDS WERE AWARDED ON A FAIR AND EQUITABLE BASIS; THE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN DERIVED FROM A REGIONALLY COORDINATED PUBLIC TRANSIT-HUMAN SERVICES TRANSPORTATION PLAN; TO THE EXTENT FEASIBLE SERVICES ARE COORDINATED WITH TRANSPORTATION SERVICES PROVIDED BY OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES; AND THE PLANNING PROCESS INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES OF PUBLIC PRIVATE AND NON-PROFIT TRANSPORTATION AND HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDERS PARTICIPATION BY THE PUBLIC AND REPRESENTATIVES ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.; ACTIVITIES PERFORMED: THIS GRANT IS FOR OPERATING ASSISTANCE FOR PROJECTS SELECTED FOR SECTION 5310 CRRSAA FUNDING THROUGH THE FY2021 CALL FOR PROJECTS AND THE FY2025 CALL FOR PROJECTS ADMINISTERED BY THE CAPITAL AREA METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION.; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WILL RECEIVE EXPANDED TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AND MOBILITY OPTIONS ENABLING THEM TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AVOID SOCIAL ISOLATION AND INCREASE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE AUSTIN URBANIZED AREA.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: DRIVE A SENIOR AUSTIN TEXAS ($27294) DRIVE A SENIOR AUSTIN TEXAS (DASATX) MISSION IS TO ENABLE OLDER ADULTS TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AVOID SOCIAL ISOLATION AND AGE IN PLACE BY PROVIDING FREE VOLUNTEER-BASED TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES. IT PROVIDES COST-EFFECTIVE HIGH-QUALITY AND SAFE TRANSPORTATION FOR HOME-BOUND SENIORS IN THE AUSTIN METRO AREA. 100% OF ITS SERVICES ARE FOR TRANSIT DEPENDENT POPULATIONS INCLUDING SENIORS LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS VETERANS/SPOUSES OF VETERANS AND OLDER ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. SPECIFICALLY FUNDING WILL HELP IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: 1. INFRASTRUCTURE STRENGTHENING AND EXPANSION OF EXISTING PROGRAMS 2. OUTREACH TO UNDERSERVED MINORITY NEIGHBORHOODS AND LOW-INCOME SENIORS.AUSTIN GROUP FOR THE ELDERLY (AGE) OF CENTRAL TEXAS ($125500) - AGE OF CENTRAL TEXAS PROVIDES ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION FOR OLDER ADULTS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH ITS INNOVATIVE THRIVE SOCIAL AND WELLNESS CENTERS AND ITS HEALTHY CONNECTIONS AGREEMENT WITH FAMILY ELDERCARE. RIDERS UTILIZING AGES TRANSPORTATION SERVICES MOSTLY CONSIST OF LOW-INCOME OLDER ADULTS WITH PHYSICAL AND/OR COGNITIVE NEEDS WHO ARE DEPENDENT ON AGE TO ACCESS CARE AND ESSENTIAL RESOURCES BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DRIVE OR UTILIZE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. TRANSPORTATION OFFERED BY AGE IS ONE OF THE SAFEST TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THOSE SERVED BECAUSE DRIVERS ARE SPECIALLY TRAINED IN DRIVER SAFETY EMERGENCY ROADSIDE AND ACCIDENT PROCEDURES AND WORK WITH OLDER ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES.AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT ($18469) - AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT (PARD) SENIOR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM HAS BEEN OPERATING FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND EXISTS TO DIRECTLY SUPPORT SENIORS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES WHO FACE TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM AUSTINS LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES. PARD HAS ALREADY INVESTED IN A FLEET OF VEHICLES TO SHUTTLE PATRONS; HOWEVER THE VEHICLES ARE NOT BEING USED TO THEIR FULLEST CAPACITY DUE TO A SHORTAGE OF DRIVERS. THE REQUESTED FUNDING WILL SUPPORT CURRENT STAFFING AND NEW HIRES TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR RIDES TO CONGREGATE MEAL SITES AND FOR PERSONAL ERRANDS.