NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I'd like to take this time to congratulate Mr. Rickey Rhodes for his recent appointment to the position of Director of the Employee and Economic Development Services Department. As many of you may be aware, Jenny White retired last month. After a long and thorough review of the EEDS Department and its future I determined that Rickey Rhodes was the best candidate to lead the Department forward to a new and challenging forward. Please join me in congratulating Rickey on his new position.
Our Annual Meeting is quickly approaching. Please save the date and join us in December at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear.
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TRANSPORTATION
The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) is soliciting applications for the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) for FY 2016.
This year you will find the TAP application and instructional information for completing the application on the ALDOT web site. The web site address is:
http://www.dot.state.al.us/moweb/specialprograms_section.htm
. After clicking on this page you will see the TAP Application listed. The types of improvements eligible for TAP funding are listed on page 2 of the instructional information. The deadline date for submittal of FY 2016 TAP applications and support documents is Friday, January 29, 2016 at 5:00 PM.
TCC/CAC and MPO Meeting Scheduled
The Mobile MPO Technical Coordinating Committee/Citizen Advisory Committee (TCC/CAC) will meet on Wednesday, November 4th, 2015 at 10:00 am at the GM&O Building in the Training Room at 110 Beauregard Street. The Mobile MPO Policy Board will meet Wednesday, November 18th, 2015 at 10:00 am in the GMO Board Room. There are several items to be discussed. ALDOT has issued obligational authority on MPO's in the State, and there is a real potential for the Mobile MPO to have to decide to move some projects out. This will be discussed at length at the TCC/CAC, and potential projects to be moved may be recommended to the MPO at the November 18th meeting.
Also, South Alabama Regional Planning Commission's FY 2016-2019 Human Services Coordinated Transportation Plan (HSCTP) must be reviewed and adopted. In addition, there are several projects that need to be included into the new 2016-2020 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
- 100064871 STPAA CN Widening, resurfacing, guardrail and striping Dawes Rd (CR-33) from Three Notch Rd (CR-32) to pavement joint south of Scott Dairy Loop Rd; 12/4/2015; $1,010,000
- 100064416 STAA CN Resurfacing on SR-16 (US 90) from AL.MS state line to pavement joint just east of Ramsey Rd; 5/27/2015; $2,524,016
- 100064391 NH CN Resurfacing on SR-13 (US 43) form joint just south SR-16(US 90) to joint just north of SR-158; 2/26/2015; $2,302,241
- 100064999 ST CN Additional lanes on Schillinger Rd South (CR-31) from Three notch Rd (CR-32) to south of Halls Mill Creek; 10/15/2015; $10,000,000
Finally, the FHWA/ALDOT/FTA will present their findings from the Mobile MPO certification review of the planning process in March of 2015. These findings will include items cited and recommendation to improve the MPO Planning Process.
Non-Motorized Mobility Study for Downtown Mobile
Toole Design Group has finalized the Non-Motorized Mobility Study for Downtown Mobile. Thank all of you that had a part in creating this important plan for downtown Mobile.
For anyone interested in the Power Point given by Ernie Boughman with Toole Design Group, please see HERE
For anyone interested in the FINAL REPORT (large document), please see HERE
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SARPC VOLUNTEER PRESENTED WITH SILVER STAR AWARD
Paul Uffman was presented the 2015 a4a Silver Star Award at the AARC Annual Training Conference at the Riverview Plaza Hotel in Mobile on October 15, 2015. The Alabama Association of Area Agencies on Aging (a4a) recognizes its top volunteer annually, with each of the 13 regional Area Agencies on Aging nominating an outstanding volunteer from their region. Mr. Uffman of Baldwin County was selected as the state winner of the Silver Star award for his volunteer work in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. Mr. Uffman has volunteered for the past few years for the Mobile County Volunteer Guardian Program, now operated by SARPC in partnership with the Mobile County Probate Court. He has consistently been willing to take the most difficult cases of vulnerable and incapacitated adults with no family or friends able or willing to serve as their guardian. He treats his wards like family, even spending his own money when they have needs that otherwise are not being met; and he has shown that he will stay with them through their difficult journeys which can include psychiatric hospitalization and the arduous process of finding a suitable community living arrangement. His other volunteer activities include volunteering to monitor sex offenders for the Mobile County Sheriff's Office and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in Baldwin County.
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SARPC PARTNERS WITH BALDWIN COUNTY SCHOOLS
The Employment and Economic Development Services Department of SARPC has
par
tnered with The Baldwin County Public School System to provide employees for
the highly acclaimed After School Child Care Program. This program allows working
parents the opportunity for children to remain at their school campus for a structured
after school learning environment. Over 230 employees are active in the program which
continues to grow as the Baldwin County Public School enrollment escalates. Employees
consist of retired educators, current educators, high school students and non-certified
staff.
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GOVERNMENT PLANNING SERVICES
Funding Opportunity
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Urban Waters Small Grants program is currently requesting proposal!
Under this announcement, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting proposals from eligible applicants for projects that will advance EPA's water quality and environmental justice goals. Proposed projects will address urban runoff pollution through diverse partnerships that produce multiple community benefits, with emphasis on underserved communities. Note that proposed project activities must take place entirely within one of the Eligible Geographic Areas, as illustrated on the interactive map provided on the Urban Waters Small Grants mapping website at
http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaters/urban-waters-small-grants-mapping.
The complexity and widespread impact of urban runoff pollution requires various levels of government and local stakeholders (e.g., community residents, local businesses, etc.) to work together in developing effective and long-term solutions with multiple benefits. EPA supports and empowers communities, especially underserved communities that are working on solutions to address multiple community needs, and fostering successful collaborative partnerships. Projects should address local water quality issues related to urban runoff pollution; provide additional community benefits; actively engage underserved communities; and foster partnership.
The total estimated funding available for awards under this competition is approximately $1.6 million. EPA expects each award to range from $40,000 to $60,000. EPA Regional Offices will award the cooperative agreements resulting from this announcement. It is anticipated that each EPA Regional Office will award approximately two to three cooperative agreements. Funding is contingent upon Agency funding levels, the quality of proposals received, and other applicable considerations.
Visit the Urban Waters Small Grants website to learn more about the program and how to submit a proposal at
http://www2.epa.gov/urbanwaters/urban-waters-small-grants
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AREA AGENCY ON AGING STAFF PRESENT AT PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES
Two SARPC staffers presented at the Southeastern Association of Area Agencies on Aging (se4a) Annual Training Conference on October 12-13 in Savannah Georgia. Julie McGee, AAA Director co-presented with the National Council on Aging for two workshops, one on Senior Economic Security and Benefits Access, and another on Senior Hunger and Innovative Strategies. Della Sanchez, SARPC's Caregiver Program Coordinator, gave a presentation on our local Caregiver Colleges. On October 29 Marie Cafferty, SARPC's Wellness Coordinator, presented at the Generational Resilience Conference in Mobile on Living Well Alabama, the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program.
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SHIP PROGRAM KICKS INTO HIGH GEAR FOR MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT
SARPC's Annual Medicare Update Train the Trainer event was held at the VIA! Center in Mobile on October 8, and was attended by 200 professionals and volunteers who work with seniors so they can better advise them on Medicare plan decisions. This followed the first Medicare Mall offered during the Baldwin County Senior Expo October 1st, which kicked off Open Enrollment. Medicare counseling and enrollment events are being held weekly until December 7th when Open Enrollment ends. For information contact James Roberson at 433-6541
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BALDWIN COUNTY SENIOR EXPO CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF OLDER AMERICANS ACT, MEDICARE AND MEDICAID
SARPC staff and volunteers give out cupcakes to the over 800 attendees at the Baldwin Senior Expo to celebrate the Golden 50th Anniversary of the Older Americans Act, Medicare and Medicaid. The Older Americans Act was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 14, 1965 and promotes the well-being of older individuals ages 60 and over by providing services and programs designed to help them live independently in their homes and communities. The Act also established the aging network that includes federal offices, a state office and local Area Agencies on Aging to plan for, coordinate and help fund aging services.
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ESCAMBIA COUNTY RSVP TAKES PART IN WILLIAMS STATION DAY
Six RSVP volunteers helped man the SARPC booth on October 24 as part of the Williams Station Day event in Atmore. Pictured are Betty Queen of SARPC (L) with volunteers who helped man the booth and inform attendees about volunteer opportunities and available aging services.
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