Transportation’s role in Florida’s WAGES Program
New Federal and State initiatives--particularly the Federal-level Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 and the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program--have rekindled interest in how to provide needed transportation services to enable welfare recipients to secure employment and transition off public assistance.
In 1996, Florida enacted Chapter 414 of the Florida Statutes, the Work and Gain Economic Self-Sufficiency (WAGES) Act. This act sets limits on the amount of time families may receive temporary assistance as proscribed in the Federal act.
The State WAGES Program Board of Directors creates and charters local WAGES coalitions to plan and coordinate the delivery of services at the local level. There are currently 24 local WAGES coalitions serving Florida’s 67 counties. The Department of Children and Family Services and the Department of Labor and Employment Security are responsible for providing work activities, training, and other services, as appropriate, through contracts. "Other services" includes the development of transportation resources as described in the Statutes.
Throughout the state, each local WAGES coalition is working to implement the WAGES Act to meet the October 1, 1998, deadline. Local WAGES coalitions have the latitude to issue requests for proposals (RFPs) for transportation assistance or to contract directly with a public transportation service provider.
With a 20-year history of coordinating services for persons who are transportation disadvantaged and a long track record of awarding state transportation block grant funds to subsidize local operating and capital assistance, Florida should be well-positioned to provide needed public transportation resources for the WAGES Program. However, transportation is a complex issue, and needs and resources can vary widely from community to community.
CUTR has begun a short-term research project to assess how the state and local WAGES coalitions are integrating and coordinating transportation into their local planning and implementation efforts. The goal is to compile and disseminate information that is timely and will provide a direct benefit to successful implementation of the WAGES Program initiative. "Transportation is one of the most basic and important challenges we face in helping welfare recipients successfully reenter the workforce," says Phyllis Busansky, executive director of the State WAGES Board, which oversees 24 local WAGES Coalitions implementing Florida’s welfare-to-work legislation. "But it’s important to note that, while innovative transportation programs have been developed across Florida and the nation, transportation ultimately is a local issue. Solutions largely depend on local resources and the needs of local clients and employers."
During the data collection phase of this project, particular attention will be paid to:
- how transportation services are being procured and provided by each local WAGES coalition;
- the extent of coordination and transportation service expansion undertaken to meet WAGES transportation needs; and
- the level and type of participation with the local WAGES coalition by both the community transportation coordinator (designated for each county through Chapter 427 F.S.) and, if applicable, the local transit agency.
FS 414.20 (1) TRANSPORTATION
Transportation expenses may be provided to any participant when the assistance is needed to comply with work activity requirements or employment requirements, including transportation to and from a child care provider. Payment may be made in cash or tokens in advance or through reimbursement paid against receipts or invoices. Support services funds may also be used to develop transportation resources to expand transportation options available to participants. These services may include cooperative arrangements with local transit authorities or school districts and small enterprise development.
By Spring 1998, CUTR will develop a state profile of local WAGES transportation initiatives occurring in response to the state WAGES Program. A summary report also will be developed, which will identify issues and areas where WAGES coalitions and/or transportation providers would potentially benefit from technical assistance and or future research efforts. As part of the analysis and subsequent recommendations, progress made in Florida will be compared to available information about innovative transportation initiatives undertaken in other states.
In addition to the Profile and Summary Report, CUTR will provide ongoing technical assistance for local WAGES coalitions and others, as time permits. Every effort will be made to network with the WAGES Program, Florida Department of Transportation, and Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged to facilitate the exchange of information during this active implementation phase.
For more information , contact CUTR Deputy Director Beverly G. Ward, or Program Director Rosemary G. Mathias, (813)974-3120.
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