|
 |
July 6, 2001 |
|
Transportation plan
to help welfare families reach jobs, Versión
en español “This is a victory
for thousands of people in Los Angeles County who want to end a cycle,
that sometimes lasts generations, of poverty and despair,” said Los
Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, former MTA Board chair.
“In many cases a lack of transportation prevented people from moving
ahead with their lives, and now this will be remedied. Both the MTA and
DPSS should be applauded for their efforts.” Open-ended
communications and careful coordination between MTA and DPSS, which
received guidance from a policy advisory committee made up of executive
management from public and non-profit social service agencies to provide
policy direction, resulted in recognition that public transportation must
be incorporated into DPSS strategic planning and would improve access to
jobs, schools, health and child care facilities.
“I’m proud to say
that Los Angeles County is once again on the cutting edge of creative
human service initiatives,” said Steven J. Golightly, DPSS Interim
Director. “The plan is a result of a unique partnership between DPSS and the MTA. It
presents an historic opportunity to enhance transportation options for our
participants, so they can take advantage of wider job searches, greater
access to better paying jobs, the ability to get to childcare, to keep
medical appointments, and many other elements crucial to a family’s
self-sufficiency.” Funding for the Welfare
to Work Transportation Plan ¾
also developed with input from faith and community-based organizations and
other health and human service agencies ¾
included $4.5 million in grant money the MTA received under the
Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Job Access and Reverse Commute
program. The grants were matched by DPSS. The plan builds upon
the CalWORKS Transportation Need Assessment, the first phase of the plan,
which determined the in-depth transportation needs of the participants and
resulted in 10 specific proposals, five that deal with
transportation-related projects. There is a total of
107,000 eligible Welfare to Work families currently employed or seeking
employment, out of which 63% are dependent on public transportation. “This is a starting
point for people trying to find their first job,” continued Burke. The
MTA and DPSS plan provides improved mobility for CalWORKS participants in
those critical areas identified as being deficient.”
Slated for phased
implementation to be completed over the coming year, MTA will be
implementing five individual public transportation projects. The following
is a brief description of the projects:
“The multi-agency
input was pivotal in providing policy guidance, addressing long-term
solutions and recommendations to the transportation planning process,”
said MTA Planning and Programming Executive Officer Jim de la Loza. “The
ongoing support also promoted the sustainability of the pilot programs if
proven successful.” “From the MTA’s
perspective, we’re trying to expand our role as a coordinator of
services that improve mobility for social service clients,” added de la
Loza “This fits in very well with our countywide planning
responsibilities.” De la Loza went on to
state that the collaboration with DPSS has led to discussions with other
L.A. County agencies that have the same need to improve access to jobs,
healthcare, schools and specialized training programs. MTA, in conjunction
with other public agencies, has been asked to return to the L.A. County
Board of Supervisors in November and report on how the Needs Assessment
findings will impact future transit plans in the county. MTA-097 |
|