- Section 5310 Program
- Social Services Block Grant Planning
- PAG Public Transit - Human Services Coordinated Transportation Planning
- Special Needs Transportation Services
- Pima Find-a-Ride
- Additional Links
Pima Association of Governments works with local governments, the Arizona Department of Transportation, the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), community agencies and interested citizens in developing plans and recommendations for the allocation of federal Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) and other federal, state and local funds for services that help people in need.
In particular, the funding for Human Services helps address the social services needs of children, youth at risk, families in crisis, low income individuals, homeless, elderly and persons with disabilities.
Approximately $1.5 million in SSBG funding is contracted by DES to local agencies to respond to the locally identified needs in the plan. The SSBG plan is amended as needed throughout the year. PAG works with member jurisdictions and local agencies to identify priority needs, explore options, establish goals and develop partnerships with interested stakeholders. A regional Social Services Planning Committee meets several times annually to coordinate regional responses to community needs.
PAG also prepares a Public Transit - Human Services Coordinated Transportation Plan that identifies human services transportation needs, barriers to meeting those needs and recommends strategies to increase mobility options in the region. The 5310 federal grant program provides annual funding for implementing these strategies and specific projects identified by the Coordinated Transportation Plan.
The 5310 federal grant program assists nonprofit agencies in acquiring vehicles to transport elderly and disabled clients.
Section 5310 Program
Pima Association of Governments manages the federal Section 5310 program for the region. Also known as the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities, the 5310 program assists nonprofit agencies in acquiring and operating vehicles to transport older adults and persons with disabilities. Agencies can receive up to 80 percent of the cost of a vehicle that will be used for client transportation and up to 50 percent reimbursement for vehicle operating expenses. Nonprofit agencies, Native American Nations, Districts and Tribes are eligible applicants. Types of vehicles typically available under this program include:
- Maxi-Van with lift and raised roof
- Dual rear wheel cutaway (larger van/mini-bus with lift)
- Maxi-Van without lift
- Mini-Van without lift
- Mini-Van with ramp
Local applications are solicited annually and are reviewed by a regional Elderly and Disabled Transportation Review Task Force. The Task Force listens to presentations by potential recipients and ranks the submissions for Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for inclusion on a statewide priority list. In the past, agencies in the Tucson region have secured grant assistance for the acquisition of 15 or more vehicles through a statewide competitive process. In 2013, due to a change in the way in which 5310 funds are apportioned, the region receives set funding on a formula basis; eliminating the requirement that local agencies compete statewide for grants.
2018 5310 Notice of Funding Availability
Contact Information:
Genine Sullivan
Transportation Mobility Coordinator
Pima Association of Governments
1 E. Broadway Blvd., Suite 401
Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: (520) 792-1093
Fax: (520) 620-6981
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Social Services Block Grant Planning
Each year the PAG region allocates Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) funds. Approximately $1.2 million to $1.6 million is made available annually for locally planned human services. A regional Social Services Planning Committee works closely with the following working groups to identify needs and make recommendations to the PAG Regional Council on annual allocations: Children, Youth and Families; Developmental Disabilities; Aging and Adults; Employment and Rehabilitation Services; and Quality of Life services. These recommendations include services for homeless adults and children, employment or guidance counseling, home care programs, and services for developmentally delayed children and disabled adults.
The Department of Economic Security prepares the state SSBG plan that includes both the allocation of the state portion of the SSBG grant and all of the locally prepared regional plans. Arizona receives approximately $31 million annually to provide social services in both urban and rural areas of the state.
The draft Social Services Block Grant Plan for State Fiscal Year 2019 is currently available for public review and comment throughout the state on the DES website at: https://des.az.gov/content/request-public-comments-social-services-block-grant-ssbg-plan. Comments are being accepted at the addresses indicated on the site through Thursday, April 5, 2018. All comments will be carefully considered before the plan is finalized.
Plan Information
The PAG region’s FY 2020 Social Services Block Grant service category funding recommendations are now available below. If you would like to make a comment on the recommendations, please email Katharine Mitchell by January 8, 2019. PAG’s Management Committee is scheduled to review these recommendations on January 16, 2019, and PAG will send the approved recommendations to the State Department of Economic Security (DES). DES will hold a 30-day public comment period in Spring 2019 before the recommendations are incorporated in the State Plan.
SSBG Funding Recommendations
SSBG Fact Sheets
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2018 PAG Public Transit - Human Services Coordinated Transportation Plan
Pima Association of Governments prepares and adopts a Public Transit-Human Services Coordinated Transportation Plan to guide transportation coordination in the region for older adults and persons with disabilities. The 2018 PAG Public Transit-Human Services Coordinated Transportation Plan was adopted by the PAG Regional Council in May 2018. Human service agencies are actively involved in identifying regional human service transportation needs and developing strategies to meet these needs through quarterly coordination meetings.
Prior to the enactment of the federal surface transportation bill (called MAP-21) in October 2012, three federal grant opportunities provided annual funding support for coordinated human services transportation. The three programs were the 1) Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities Transportation Program (known as Section 5310), 2) Job Access and Reverse Commute Formula Grants, (JARC or Section 5316) and 3) The New Freedom Program (Section 5317).
The passage of MAP-21 resulted in some significant changes to these programs:
- Section 5316, JARC, has been repealed. JARC assisted in the development and maintenance of transportation services designed to transport low income individuals to jobs and activities related to employment in rural and suburban areas. Job access and reverse commute projects are now eligible activities for Transit Formula Grant funding.
- Section 5317, New Freedom, also has been repealed. New Freedom provided funding for public transportation services and alternatives for individuals with disabilities beyond that required by the Americans with Disabilities Act in rural and suburban areas. Section 5317 activities are now eligible for funding under the 5310 program.
- Section 5310 is now known as Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and People with Disabilities. The 5310 program typically provides formula grants to assist nonprofit agencies in acquiring vehicles to transport older adults and disabled clients. The 5310 funds can be used to assist agencies with both capital and operating expenses.
The 5310 program is intended to increase mobility options in the region for older adults and persons with disabilities.