The overall mission of Florida’s transportation disadvantaged program is to ensure the availability of safe, efficient, cost-effective, and quality transportation services for the transportation disadvantaged population of a designated service area.

COMMISSION FOR THE TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED

Florida’s transportation disadvantaged program was created in 1979 and reenacted in 1989. The 1989 act created the Florida Transportation Disadvantaged Commission – currently the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (www.dot.state.fl.us/ctd) and the enhanced local participation in the planning and delivery of coordinated transportation services through creation of local coordinating boards (LCBs) and Community Transportation Coordinators (CTCs).

The Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged meets quarterly at various locations throughout the State of Florida.

DESIGNATED OFFICIAL PLANNING AGENCIES

Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) or designated official planning gencies (DOPAs) perform long-range planning and assist the Commission and LCBs in implementing the transportation disadvantaged program in designated service areas. The Central Florida Regional Planning Council is the designated official planning agency for the counties of Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee.

The CFRPC’s typical activities include providing staff support to the Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee County local coordinating boards, providing technical assistance to the CTC in the three county service area, ensuring that the LCBs conduct annual evaluations of the CTC performance, and preparing a three-year transportation disadvantaged service plan for the service area.

LOCAL COORDINATING BOARDS

There is a Local Coordinating Board established in each of the individual counties of Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee. The LCB is an advisory board which provides information, advice, and direction to the Community Transportation Coordinator. The Community Transportation Coordinator is responsible for arranging transportation for people who are elderly or low-income, or who have a disability.

Each LCB meets at least quarterly. Its committees meet when necessary to conduct an annual evaluation for the Community Transportation Coordinator, write annual updates of the TDSP, and review grievances which may be brought to them regarding service delivery.

Membership of the Local Coordinating Boards

Pursuant to Chapter 427, Florida Statues, and Rule 41-2, Florida Administrative Code, these are the positions on the Local Coordinating Boards. (Current vacancies vary by County).

• Chairperson – must be an elected official
• Elderly
• Disabled
• Citizen Advocate
• Citizen Advocate, representing people who use the coordinated system
• Veterans Services
• Community Action Agency (economically disadvantaged)
• Public Education
• Department of Transportation
• Department of Children and Families
• Department of Labor and Emp loyment Security
• Department of Elder Affairs
• Agency for Health Care Administration – Medicaid Office
• State Coordinating Council (Early Childhood )
• Private Transportation Industry
• Mass/Public Transit Industry (if applicable)

COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR

The Council selects the Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) for the three county service area through a formal request for proposal process every three years. The current Community Transportation Coordinator for Hardee, Highlands, and Okeechobee is ATC – Paratransit. ATC arranges transportation for consumers through a total brokerage operation. ATC contracts with three private for-profit operators who provide the direct transportation service.

For information regarding program eligibility, contact Tim Banks, General Manager, 863/382-6004 tdbanks@atc-paratransit.com

For information regarding service eligibility, becoming a board member, grievance procedures, long-range planning, meeting dates, and other program areas, please contact Marcia Staszko, Senior Program Manager, 863/534-7130 ext. 103 mstaszko@cfrpc.org