NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The State of Alabama, like many states throughout the Nation, is facing a serious budget crisis that could have far reaching and lasting impacts on a wide variety of state and local services. With drastic cuts planned for many state agencies, the many state funded services SARPC administers for its thirty-two member governments could be sharply curtailed or, worse eliminated altogether, thereby, creating significant impacts to local governments and citizens within the region. I can unequivocally say that the board of directors and staff of SARPC have great admiration and respect for Governor Bentley and the entire State legislature in their unenviable task of determining solutions to address the current budget crisis. I can also state with certainty that SARPC will continue to aggressively serve as a resource and an advocate on behalf of its member governments and the citizens of South Alabama in working with the Governor and State Legislature in assuring that our region continues to prosper and develop.
With that said, please don't hesitate to contact me should you wish to have information on the projected impacts to SARPC from the budget shortfall the State is experiencing or if you need assistance determining the impact of cuts to specific programs to your respective government or organization.
Finally, I would also encourage you to contact Governor Bentley's office and your state legislator regarding any concerns you may have about the State budget. It is important for these officials to hear from their constituents on matters related to state services. Whatever the outcome of the State budget crisis, I can say without a doubt that SARPC will continue to serve its member governments and the citizens of South Alabama by providing cost-effective and superior services.
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TRANSPORTATION
Human Service Coordinated Transportation Plan
This summer the Transportation Planning Department will be updating the Human Services Coordinated Transportation Plan.
The purpose of this plan is to enhance access to transit services for individuals with special needs through the coordination of existing and future services. This plan focuses on transportation mobility for the elderly and disabled and for job access.
In order to achieve this goal, the plan is designed to
- Inventory existing transit services:
- Identify unmet needs;
- Identify ways to minimize duplication; and
- Recommend provisions for cost-efficient transit services.
If your organization, city or town is interested in applying for grants for public transit services funded in part for the needs identified above, your project must be derived from the Coordinated Plan in order to be eligible.
Grant applications are through ALDOT for the Easter Shore Urban Area and the Rural Areas, and through The Wave Transit and SARPC in the Mobile Urban Area.
The application periods for all are open each spring, usually around March.
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New Round of TIGER Announced
Pre-Applications Due: May 4 (required)
Final Applications Due: June 5
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced $500 million in available funding for transportation projects across the country under a seventh round of the highly successful Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program. Click HERE for more information. The USDOT will host a series of webinars to assist applicants on a number of facets of the process.
FY 2015 Transportation Alternatives Program -TAP FUNDS
Deadline: May 1, 2015
Only cities and counties can apply for TAP funds, and your jurisdiction will determine your application for TAP Funds. If you are in the Mobile Urbanized Area, you are eligible for the Urban Area TAP Funds available through the Mobile MPO at South Alabama Regional Planning Commission. If you are outside of the Mobile Urbanized Area you will apply to ALDOT for TAP funds (see below). The applications, guidelines and funding limits between the STATE TAP and the URBAN TAP are slightly different. Please be aware, and if there are any questions please do not hesitate to call us. The federal guidance on TAP funds is HERE.
MOBILE URBANIZED TAP FUNDS
The Mobile MPO announces the availability of the FY 2015 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding. The maximum amount that can be applied for with Mobile Urbanized TAP funds is $200,000 (federal). The TAP provides funding for programs and projects defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility, community improvement activities, and environmental mitigation; recreational trail program projects; safe routes to school projects; and projects for planning, designing, or constructing boulevards and other roadways largely in the right-of-way of former Interstate System routes or other divided highways. The Applications, the Instructions and Guidelines, and a sample ranking form for the Mobile Urban Area TAP Funds were emailed and mailed out to all MPO member governments last week. These documents are available on our website as well HERE.
ALDOT TAP FUNDS
The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) announced application availability for the FY 2015 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding. The TAP provides funding for programs and projects defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility, community improvement activities, and environmental mitigation; recreational trail program projects; safe routes to school projects; and projects for planning, designing, or constructing boulevards and other roadways largely in the right-of-way of former Interstate System routes or other divided highways. ALDOT TAP Funding applications can only come from ALDOT HERE.
Transportation Planning
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SARPC SENIOR AIDES PARTNER WITH USA HUMAN RESOURCE STUDENTS
South Alabama Regional Planning Commission's Senior Community Service Employment Program participants partnered with University of South Alabama Human Resource Instructor, Dr. Marjorie Icenogle and students to practice job interview skills. This is the second year that students in Dr. Icenogle's Human Resource class prepared a program and role played on Interview Skills for the SCSEP participants. After the program, students "interviewed" SCSEP participants. The exercise gave the students an opportunity to practice skills needed as interviewers and SCSEP participants practiced job interview skills. An additional benefit; students had the opportunity to meet dynamic older workers from the SCSEP program and learn that great employees come in all different ages.
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GOVERNMENT PLANNING STAFF UPDATE
The Governmental Planning Staff recently attended an Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) in Montgomery. The ADECA staff, as always, was informative and provided extensive information regarding the availability of grants through their agency. These grant funds are available to counties and municipalities that are not in a County Consortium or are receiving HUD funds directly. These funds must benefit 51% Low to Moderate income individuals.
Listed below are the funding categories and maximum amounts available:
County Fund - $350,000.00
Large City (Population 3,001 or more) - $450,000.00 Small City (Population 3,000 or less) - $350,000.00 Economic Development Fund - $200,000.00 Planning Fund - $40,000.00 Community Enhancement Fund - $250,000
The Grant rating criteria is based on; nature of benefits, local match, and cost per benefit ratio.
The deadline for the grant application is June 15, 2015. Cities and counties with an open grant (except Economic Development or Planning funds) from any fund as of March 31, 2015, will not be eligible to apply for any funds other than Economic Development Funds.
The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) has grant funding available to Escambia County and municipalities in Escambia County. These funds typically are to provide direct investment into community-based and regional projects that address the DRA's congressionally mandated four funding priorities, which are transportation, infrastructure, workforce development and business development/ entrepreneurship.
Entities that are eligible to apply for DRA funding include: state and local governments (state agencies, city and county); public bodies; and non-profit entities.
If interested in applying, contact SARPC, who is the region's designated Local Development District (LDD). All applications must be reviewed and submitted to the DRA by the LDD. The deadline for all projects is July 3, 2015. Projects are due to SARPC, or LDD, by 5:00 p.m. central daylight time. For more information, visit DRA.gov or call Nicole Taylor, 251-706-4659, [email protected].
We provide grant writing services for our member governments. If you have any questions about these grant funds or need assistance please contact Diane Burnett at [email protected]
Other News
Congratulations goes out to the City of Fairhope and the City of Saraland! The ACE Board has approved them to graduate as Alabama Communities of Excellence. Their graduation announcement will be made during opening ceremony at the Alabama League of Municipalities convention in Tuscaloosa on May 16th.
The Your Town Alabama Workshop dates are Wednesday, September 2 (beginning at 9:30 am) through 12:00 noon on Friday, September 4th! Participants are required to stay the entire 2? days. The workshop will be held at Camp McDowell near Nauvoo, AL.
REGISTER HERE.
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2015 JOBS FAIR AND BUSINESS EXPO - ONE OF THE LARGEST EVENTS TO DATE
The South Alabama Regional Planning Commission Annual Jobs Fair and Business Expo is scheduled for April 30, 2015 at the Mobile Civic Center Expo Hall. The SARPC Employment and Economic Development Services Department is responsible for producing and coordinating the event. This will be the 17th year SARPC has facilitated the event. Response from employers has been excellent. Registrations are on track. There will be more than 100 employers and training providers participating in the event.
A key component of the Jobs Fair will be seminars on Job Search Skills, Resume Development and Networking. Special outreach has targeted Veterans and military spouses for participation. The Alabama Career Center will be on site with the Career Center Mobile Unit.
All job seekers are invited to participate.
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AREA AGENCY ON AGING
Candidates Sought For Alabama Silver-Haired Legislature
 The Area Agencies on Aging is accepting applications for unfilled positions for the 2015-2017 Alabama Silver-Haired Legislature (ASHL). According to Julie McGee, Area Agency on Aging director of the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission, "Member- ship gives Alabama's seniors a real-life experience in representing the interests of older Alabamians in state government."
The Silver-Haired Legislature is a model, volunteer legislature that parallels the Alabama House of Representatives. Members represent each of the 105 state legislative districts and are elected by other senior citizens from their districts.
Alabamians age 60 and over are encouraged to sign up by filing an application for open House districts in Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia counties. Applications are requested by May 15, 2015 and are available at the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission at the GM&O building in Mobile or by calling 251-433-6541 or 1-800- 243-5463 or emailing [email protected].
Members selected to 2015-2017 terms attend an organization and training session during the summer. The ASHL annual legislative session is held in the State House each fall, typically in October. ASHL members are expected to be aware of the needs of seniors in their districts that should be addressed by the Alabama Legislature.
Resolutions on senior issues are introduced in the ASHL legislative session, prioritized and presented to members of the legislature for consideration and legislation. Members then work with their counterparts in the State Legislature to get senior bills introduced and passed.
The top 10 resolutions for the ASHL for the current legislative session are focused on expanded access to medical care, improvements in nursing home care, improvements in training and services related to Alzheimer's disease and dementia, and increasing funding for services for older adults through the Alabama Department of Senior Services and the Area Agencies on Aging. Specific resolutions included increasing the personal needs allowance under Medicaid for nursing home residents; allowing nursing home residents to have video cameras in their rooms; requiring background checks for non- family members who provide in-home care; and increasing respite services for families caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.
For information, contact Ann Burhans, ASHL District 8 Chair, at 251-341-0148 or Julie McGee, Area Agency on Aging director at 251- 433-6541.
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2015 Legacy Leadership Institute Announced
 The Area Agency on Aging and the University of South Alabama will again offer a free Legacy Leadership Institute for Older Adults in June 8-12, 2015 at the Faculty Club on the campus of the University of South Alabama. Local volunteers take college classes on aging issues, advocacy and civic engagement and complete an internship with the Area Agency on Aging, working on projects and issues that impact older adults. Recent graduates were instrumental in beginning the Alzheimer's and Dementia Helpline, the Caregiver- sunite.org blog; the first Baldwin County Senior Expo in partnership with the Area Agency on Aging; and helped develop senior centers on Dauphin Island Parkway and in Semmes.
Volunteers are chosen through a screening process and openings are available to residents of Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia Counties. The purpose of the Legacy Leadership Institute is to inspire, engage and encourage retired professionals and baby boomers to find their niche in the world of volunteering, specifically in the areas of aging services. For information on the Legacy Leadership Institute, contact Gay Watson, [email protected], at the Area Agency on Aging at 251-433-6541 or 1-800-243-5463.
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Area Agency on Aging New Sponsor of Volunteer Guardian Program
The Area Agency on Aging of the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission has assumed responsibility for the Mobile County Volunteer Guardian Program, a program originally operated by Hands on South Alabama. This rewarding program is a partnership between the Probate Court of Mobile County and the Area Agency on Aging. This concept and valuable community service was brought to Mobile County by Probate Judge Don Davis, due to his firsthand knowledge and his concern for individuals coming to his attention with no one willing or able to serve as their guardians, and to speak for them to see their needs were being met.
According to Julie McGee, Area Agency on Aging director, there is a great need for more people to serve as Volunteer Guardians. Current needs are exceeding the available volunteers in Mobile County.
If you would like to make a big difference in the life of one individual, this volunteer opportunity is for you. Motivated, compassionate people are needed who will be appointed by the Mobile County Probate Court to make informed decisions about the health and well-being of individuals who can't make those decisions for themselves. This is a wonderful opportunity to make a significant difference in the life of one person at a time. As a Volunteer Guardian, the assistance and support you provide assists incapacitated persons much like a caring family member and may include:
- Seeing that the individual's basic needs are met.
- Arranging for care, medical treatment, or other services.
- Spending time with the individual.
- Being an advocate for the individual and protect his/her rights.
- Filing paperwork when required by the Probate Court.
Volunteer guardians receive support from a program coordinator who provides training, and can connect the volunteers with attorneys, social workers, case managers, and other professionals in the local community to help with needs and services outside the scope of what would be expected from volunteers. Volunteers do not handle their ward's funds, and are not responsible for their financial affairs. However, due to the vulnerability of the clients served, a background check is required to participate in this program.
If you would like more information about becoming a Volunteer Guardian, call Darla Dean at the Area Agency on Aging at 251-706-4628 or 433-6541 or [email protected].
VISIT THE AREA AGENCY ON AGING
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COUNTY DAY OF RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE
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{Pictured are AmeriCorp VISTA members (L-R) Olivia Davis, Demaris Brown, Roma Murphy, Commissioner Hudson, Ms. McGee, Joanne Kralik, Clarissa Lemon-Phalo & Commissioner Jerry Carl.
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The Mobile County Commission joined others local governments throughout Alabama and the nation in celebrating the County Day of Recognition of National Volunteer Service on April 7, locally recognizing RSVP, Senior Companion, Foster Grandparent and AmeriCorp VISTA volunteers. Commission President Connie Hudson presented the County Day resolution to Julie McGee, SARPC's Area Agency on Aging director, along with Commissioners Carl and Ludgood in recognition of SARPC's VISTA members. Alabama had the highest number of mayors and county commissions recognize the national day of service in the nation.
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