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Our mission is to increase transportation options for older adults and enhance their ability to live more independently within their communities throughout the United States.

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Projects & Funding

Senior Transportation Demonstration Projects
Request for Proposals

Summary
Background
Purpose of Solicitation
Award Information
Proposal Requirements and Format
Proposal Submission
Reporting Requirements
Review Process
Evaluation Criteria
Reference Materials

Summary

The National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST) is soliciting proposals from aging/human service agencies, tribal organizations, faith-based organizations, units of state and local government, public and private transportation providers, and other entities interested in developing and implementing innovative approaches to increasing senior transportation options and improving older adult mobility.

Proposed projects must support one or more of the senior transportation goals of the national United We Ride initiative of the Federal Transit Administration.  The goals are to:

  • Increase transportation options for older adults
  • Simplify older adults’ access to transportation services
  • Increase the quality of transportation services for older adults

 

Applicants are encouraged to consider the specific mobility needs of older adults in their communities and propose strategies that will respond to those needs.  Successful projects will be collaborative, replicable and consistent with the goals of United We Ride. 

NCST expects to make from five to eight awards under this solicitation, ranging from $50,000 to $90,000.  Higher or lower amounts may be awarded based on specific proposals.  Successful applicants will also receive 24 months of individually tailored technical assistance from NCST. 

Background
 
The importance of transportation services and the vital connection to older adult mobility and independence is underscored by the development of national initiatives to promote increased senior transportation options.  One of these initiatives is the National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST).  The NCST is administered by Easter Seals in partnership with the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration and with guidance from the U.S. Administration on Aging.  The center’s mission is to increase transportation options for older adults and enhance their ability to live more independently within their communities throughout the United States.

The rapid growth of the older adult population has been widely documented.  In less than 20 years approximately 62 million adults will be over the age of 65 an increase of 79 percent from 2002.  Even more important to note, of this aging population, America’s “older old” are increasing even more rapidly.  Due to advances in medicine and preventative care, adults aged 85 and older (who are more likely to need the support of family, friends and the community to continue living independently) are expected to increase from 4.2 million in 2000 to 8.9 million by 2030.   

This aging of America creates new challenges for service delivery systems -- particularly transportation, which is critical to ensuring that older adults maintain their independence and mobility and remain connected to their communities.  The lack of adequate transportation options has a significant impact on the ability of older adults to obtain essential services (health and medical care, nutrition, social services and employment opportunities).  It also affects their ability to engage in life-enhancing activities (recreational trips, social activities, cultural events, shopping and volunteer opportunities). 

While some older adults continue to drive for most of their lives, the growing size of this population, the issues surrounding older driver safety, and the unwillingness or inability of adults to continue driving as they grow older increase the demand for alternative senior transportation services.  According to AARP’s 2004 Surface Transportation Policy Project report titled, “Aging Americans Stranded Without Options,” more than 50 percent of older adults who no longer drive stay at home and do not engage in outside activities because they lack transportation options or are unaware of other forms of transportation.

Coordinated transportation systems are an essential element to keeping older adults independent and actively connected to their communities.  A lack of coordinated services leads to confusion, making it difficult for older adults to navigate the maze of transportation services.  On the other hand, forging partnerships and effectively coordinating resources can result in increased access and improved services.  This is evidenced in examples of successful senior transportation models which are grounded in collaboration and include partnerships with the aging network.  

Purpose of Solicitation

The National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST) is soliciting proposals from aging/human service agencies, tribal organizations, faith-based organizations, units of state and local government, public and private transportation providers, and other entities interested in developing and implementing innovative approaches to increasing senior transportation options and improving older adult mobility, which is defined as a continuum of services ranging from older driver safety to door-through-door services.  This family of services includes driver safety, transitioning from driving (driving modification and transition), pedestrian access, fixed-route public transportation, curb-to-curb, door-to-door, taxi, volunteer and door-through-door (escorted) services.  Applicants should propose strategies that incorporate one or more of these services.  In addition, proposals could include strategies related but not limited to:

  • Establishing partnerships and increasing coordination between the aging and transportation communities
  • Developing coordinated transportation systems
  • Creating mobility management concepts that enhance transportation options for older adults, including frail older adults
  • Increasing the awareness of available transportation services 
  • Assessing the adequacy of senior transportation options and identifying the unmet transportation needs of older adults, including frail older adults
  • Recruiting and utilizing volunteer drivers
  • Upgrading technology to assist in scheduling and/or coordinating services
  • Promoting the use of public transportation
  • Enhancing older driver safety training
  • Transitioning from driving to other transportation options or modification of driving
  • Travel training
  • Expanding hours, days of service or routes
  • Developing single-entry point systems/one-stop access
  • Driver sensitivity training

 

The bulleted list above is not meant to be exhaustive.  Applicants are encouraged to consider the specific mobility needs of older adults in their communities and propose strategies that will respond to those needs.  These strategies should be collaborative in nature and involve partnerships with the aging network and transportation providers.  (Examples of organizations on aging include an Area Agency on Aging, Title VI Native American Aging Program and State Units on Aging).  Successful projects will be collaborative, replicable in other communities, and must support one or more senior transportation-related goals of the national United We Ride initiative:

  • Increase transportation options for older adults
  • Simplify older adults’ access to transportation services
  • Increase the quality of transportation services for older adults

 

Please note that applicants proposing to make service enhancements or expand existing services must clearly describe how the enhancement or expansion will improve transportation services for older adults.  For example, if a service enhancement is proposed, describe how this will improve older adults’ access to the service.  Or, if the proposal is to expand service hours, an explanation of how expanded hours will specifically benefit older adults and an estimate of how many additional older adults will be served or have access to the service should be included.  The proposal should also include a plan for continuing the service after the grant period. 


Award Information

A total of $450,000 is available for demonstration projects.  n4a will serve as the grant administrator on behalf of NCST. Successful applicants will receive grant awards ranging from $50,000 to $90,000 and 24 months of individually tailored technical assistance.  Higher or lower amounts may be awarded based on specific proposals.  Awards will be provided for a 12-month period (February 1, 2008 January 31, 2009) and on a one-time basis. These one-time funds are not intended to supplant other funds and applicants must have a plan for sustaining the project at the end of the grant period.  Technical assistance will be provided during the 12-month grant period and for 12 months afterwards.  Extended technical assistance after the 12-month award period will be contingent upon continued funding from the Federal Transit Administration.

Proposal Requirements and Format

Proposals are limited to 12 double-spaced pages using a type font size of at least 12 points and must follow the format outlined below:

A. Cover Page one page that includes the following:

  • Legal name and address of proposing organization
  • Name, title, telephone number, and email address of person legally authorized to enter into agreements on behalf of the organization
  • Name, title, telephone number and email address of the person to contact with questions related to the proposal (if different from the person above)

 

B. Introduction one page that includes the following:

  • Brief description of proposing organization and geographic service area, including the size of the older adult population, diversity and characteristics of the area (i.e. rural, suburban, urban)
  • Brief description of the applicant’s experience providing transportation services and/or services to older adults

 

C. Project Narrative no more than 10 pages that include the following:

Statement of Need

  • Describe the mobility needs of older adults in the area

 

Project Summary

  • Describe the proposed project and implementation strategies. The description should include how the project will address the needs identified in the need statement.
  • Describe how the project will support one or more senior transportation goals of the national United We Ride initiative (i.e. increase transportation options for older adults, simplify older adults’ access to transportation services, and/or increase the quality of transportation services for older adults).
  • Identify staff that will be involved in the project and provide a brief description of their qualifications.
  • Identify collaborating partners and describe their role(s) in the project. Partnerships may be broad based and consist of transportation providers, aging network agencies, faith-based organizations, units of government and other entities as appropriate. Applicants are strongly encouraged to collaborate with both transit and aging network agencies (e.g., Area Agency on Aging, Title VI Native American Aging Program, State Units on Aging, plus a private and/or public transportation provider). Please attach letters of support from partner agencies (letters of support are not included in the proposal page limit).
  • Estimate of how many older adults the proposed project will serve.  If proposing to expand/enhance an existing service, provide an estimate of how many additional older adults (those currently not receiving service) will have access to the service.

 

Marketing and Outreach

  • Describe plans to inform older adults, caregivers and entities that serve older adults about the project and attract them to the proposed service.

 

Outcomes and Evaluation

  • Describe the intended outcomes of the project over a period of 24 months.  The outcomes expected at 12 and 24 months should be identified. 
  • Describe the evaluation process for determining if the outcomes were achieved.  This process should include methods for measuring 12- and 24-month outcomes. 

 

Sustainability

  •  Describe plans for continuing services after the award period.

 

Technical Assistance

  • Describe specific technical assistance needed from NCST to implement and operate the proposed project.

 

D.  Timeline - (not included in the proposal page limit)

  • Provide an estimated timeline of project activities

 

E.  Budget - (not included in the proposal page limit)

  •  Identify all project-related expenses that will be applied to NCST funds.
  • Identify any additional funding sources that will be used to supplement NCST funds.
  • Provide a brief budget narrative explaining each expense item.

 

Proposal Submission

Proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Monday, December 17, 2007, and should be submitted electronically via email (twilson@n4a.org) or using the online form which can be reached through the center’s Web site (http://www.seniortransportation.net/). Electronic or online submission is preferred but hard copies will be accepted.  Hard copy of the proposal must be received on or before December 17, 2007, and mailed to: 1730 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Suite 1200, Washington, D.C., 20036 to the attention of Tabitha Wilson, assistant director of NCST.  Proposals received after the due date and time, as well as those submitted by fax will be deemed non-responsive.  Questions related to this solicitation should be directed to Tabitha Wilson via email (twilson@n4a.org) or by phone (202)872-0888.

Reporting Requirements

Grantees will be required to submit a work plan within two weeks of award notification.  Quarterly progress reports and a final report describing the activities conducted during the grant and addressing the achievement of the project outcomes will be required 30 days after the award period ends.  In addition, because NCST plans to document the long-term impact of the projects, grantees will also be required to submit a 24-month report detailing the project’s effectiveness in improving older adult mobility.  Reporting forms will be provided.

Review Process

Each proposal will be reviewed by a committee representing NCST staff, members of the National Steering Committee, and partner organizations.  Incomplete or non-responsive proposals will not be considered.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals that best meet the criteria listed below and those with the greatest potential for replication will be selected.

  • Experience providing transportation services and/or services to older adults (5 points)
  • Project is clearly described and addresses the mobility needs of older adults in the proposed service area.  Mobility needs should be documented in the “Statement of Need” section. (20 points)
  • Proposed project supports one or more goals of the national United We Ride initiative (i.e. will increase transportation options for older adults, simplify older adults’ access to transportation services, and/or increase the quality of transportation services for older adults) (20 points)
  • Proposed project is collaborative in nature and involves a partnership with both transit and aging network agencies (e.g., Area Agency on Aging, Title VI Native American Aging Program, State Units on Aging, and private and/or public transportation agencies).  Letters of support from partner agencies must accompany the proposal. (20 points)  
  • Plan to attract/inform older adults, caregivers, and those entities serving older adults about the proposed service (10 points)
  • Plan for sustaining project after award period (10 points)
  • Intended outcomes are stated and evaluation plan includes a process for evaluating the project after 12 and 24 months (10 points)
  • Timeline and budget are realistic.  The budget should identify all project-related expenses (5 points)

 

Reference Materials

Following is a list of resources that may be helpful while developing proposals in response to this solicitation:

 

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