Formula Grant WA2021144

APPLICATION PURPOSE: THE ENHANCED MOBILITY FOR SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES PROGRAM SECTION 5310 IS A CRITICAL FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE PROVISION OF TRANSPORTATION TO OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THE PURPOSE OF THIS FEDERAL AWARD IS TO ASSIST WITH MEETING THE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS AND IMPROVE MOBILITY FOR SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES BY REMOVING BARRIERS TO TRANSPORTATION SERVICE AND EXPANDING TRANSPORTATION MOBILITY OPTIONS.; ACTIVITIES PERFORMED: MAINTAIN CURRENT TRANSPORTATION SERVICE LEVELS AND OFFER ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO PRESERVE PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELLBEING IN LARGE URBAN AREAS OF THE WASHINGTON STATE. SUSTAIN STAFFING PLANNING AND CAPITAL AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION IN THE REGION INCLUDING A FREE OF CHARGE SERVICE TO LOW-INCOME OLDER ADULTS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES AND DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICE BEST SUITED TO THE RIDERS UNIQUE NEEDS INCLUDING MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL RIDES.; EXPECTED OUTCOMES: MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE LEVEL OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICE IN LARGE URBAN AREAS. PROVIDE TRAVEL INSTRUCTION AND INFORMATION ABOUT TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS VIA PRESENTATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COMMUNICATION. ENABLE THE ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO ACCESS DESTINATIONS CRUCIAL FOR THEIR DAILY LIVES SAFETY AND WELLBEING INCLUDING TRIPS TO FOOD BANKS GROCERY STORES AS WELL AS COUNSELING PHYSICAL THERAPY DIALYSIS AND OTHER MEDICALLY NECESSARY APPOINTMENTS.; INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION CUSTOMERS INCLUDING SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WHO UTILIZE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN LARGE URBAN AREAS ACROSS THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.; SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES: PROJECT WORK INCLUDES A FREE OF CHARGE SERVICE TO LOW-INCOME OLDER ADULTS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR STATE-PAID CHORE SERVICES; FINDING SOLUTIONS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS RIDERS WHO ARE FACING TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES IDENTIFYING WHICH NEEDS ARE NOT BEING MET AND FILLING THE GAPS SO THAT EVERYONE WHO NEEDS A RIDE GETS A RIDE; PROVIDING A COMMUNITY-BASED DEMAND-RESPONSE PARATRANSIT SERVICE FOR SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES; AND SUPPORTING THE REGIONAL ALLIANCE FOR RESILIENT AND EQUITABLE TRANSPORTATION (RARET) PROJECT WHICH INCREASES TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS TO CRITICAL SERVICES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATIONS IN THE EVENT OF A DISASTER.