COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Services Agency

DATE:

March 27, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 24, 2007

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Beverly Beasley Johnson, J.D., Director, Human Services Agency

Madelyn Martin, Director, Prevention and Early Intervention

SUBJECT:

Grant from Metropolitan Transportation Commission

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution to accept a three year grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in the amount of $250,000 to implement the Transportation Assistance Program for Low-Income Residents of San Mateo County.

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.

Goal (8): Help vulnerable people – the aged, disabled, mentally ill, at-risk youth and others – achieve a better quality of life.

The implementation of the Transportation Assistance Program for Low-Income Residents contributes to this commitment and goal by helping vulnerable residents of San Mateo County achieve a better quality of life by providing transportation assistance to youth, individuals, and families that are actively participating in Self-Sufficiency and Family Strengthening activities.

Performance Measure(s):

Measure

FY 2007-08
Target

FY 2008-09
Target

FY 2009-10

Target

Provide Transportation Solutions and Options to participants

1, 500 participants each year

1, 500 participants each year

1, 500 participants each year

BACKGROUND:

In March 2006, The City/County Association Governments announced the call for projects for the San Mateo County Lifeline Transportation Program. This program is designed to help low-income residents by funding transportation projects that improve mobility within the community. The Human Services Agency worked collaboratively with the CORE Services Agency Network and submitted a proposal to fund a Transportation Assistance Program for Low-Income Residents. In January 2007, HSA was notified that the project proposal was approved by the MTC board in December 2006.

DISCUSSION:

The Project aims to provide bus tickets, bus passes and taxi vouchers for low-income youth, families, and individuals participating in Self-Sufficiency and Family Strengthening activities such as: employment seeking; employment workshops; skill based training programs; emergency and health related needs; parenting skills workshops; anger management classes; family counseling; and other identified self-sufficiency or family strengthening activities.

HSA, in collaboration with the CORE Services Agency Network, will implement the Transportation Assistance program in July 2007 and expects to serve approximately 1, 500 participants each year for a three year period ending in FY 2010.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The grant from Metropolitan Transportation Commission is for the term of July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010 in the amount of $250,000 which will fully-fund the Lifeline Transportation Program. Of the total amount, $83,334 will be included in the FY 2007-08 Recommended Budget and the remaining amount will be included in future years budgets. There is no Net County Cost.