SR-04-24-2012-8ACity Council Meeting: April 24, 2012
Agenda Item: 8 —A
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Karen Ginsberg, Director of Community and Cultural Services
Gigi Decavalles- Hughes, Director of Finance
Edward F. King, Director of Transit Services
Subject: Services and Transportation Options for Seniors
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Receive, discuss and provide direction on the attached report which outlines
plans for:
a. Completing the transfer of Senior Center operations to WISE & Healthy
Aging (WISE)
b. Expanding and improving outreach for Dial -A -Ride (DAR) van and taxi
services
c. Maximizing senior residents use of County Access paratransit services to
non -City destinations.
2. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute all
necessary documents to apply for grant funds in the amount of up to $580,000
from the United States Department of Transportation's New Freedom program
for expanded DAR door- through -door services.
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a first modification to
Contract 9422 in the amount of $20,000 with WISE, a Santa Monica -based
nonprofit agency to initiate transition of Senior Center operations in FY 2011 -12.
This will result in a new FY 2011 -12 contract agreement in the amount of
$1,145,112.
4. Authorize the budget changes as outlined in the Financial Impacts and Budget
Actions section of this report.
Executive Summary
Per Council's request in September 2011, the attached report highlights key local
demographics, provides information on City- funded services for seniors, identifies a
targeted service gap, and includes recommendations for improved service integration,
slightly expanded paratransit services, and maximizing regional and federal resources
for senior transit. Consistent with Council's policy of ensuring a safety net for Santa
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Monica's most frail seniors, staff recommends for FY 2012 -13 that (1) Operations of the
City -run Senior Center be fully transferred to WISE & Healthy Aging (WISE) to
streamline service delivery, (2) the Dial -A -Ride (DAR) program be expanded to meet
frail seniors' needs and (3) staff focus on maximizing non -City resources through federal
New Freedom Grant funding, County paratransit services and regional planning.
Staff recommends that Council increase the FY 2011 -12 funding level to WISE by
$20,000 to operate the Senior Center.
Background
As recommended in the 2008 Evaluation of Services for Older Adults in Santa Monica
report (Attachment B), staff has worked closely with WISE & Healthy Aging (WISE) and
other local agencies over the last four years to provide updated programming that meet
the needs of more vulnerable seniors and improve service integration. Three years ago
WISE - a Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) grantee with a proven track record
of providing diverse, high quality services to vulnerable older adults - launched door -
through -door paratransit services for frail seniors. Just over two years ago, WISE took
over operations of the senior lunch program as a first step towards the goal of operating
the Senior Center and related activities.
On June 21, 2011 Council approved the FY 2011 -15 HSGP, which provides a total of
$7.4M in funding to nonprofit agencies including $2.8M directed to serving older adults.
Included in the HSGP is the plan to transition Senior Center operations to WISE by July
1, 2012 to achieve a genuine one -stop shop for Santa Monica's oldest residents.
When considering the 10% Taxi Franchise discount for seniors on September 27, 2011,
Council requested that staff return with a presentation on the full breadth of HSGP and
other City funded services for seniors to include the identification of service gaps and
related recommendations for expanded transportation and /or other services.
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Discussion
The attached report (Attachment A) Serving Santa Monica's Seniors: Services and
Transportation Options, provides local demographics from the 2010 Census, outlines
the full range of programs funded by the City for its oldest residents, summarizes gaps
and challenges and makes recommendations for addressing them.
Demographic Snapshot
As detailed in the report, the 2010 Census indicates that in Santa Monica:
• 6% or 423 seniors live at or below the federal poverty threshold ($10,788) and
18% or 1,227 seniors live at 100% to 150% ($10,788 - $16,355) of the federal
poverty threshold; and
• 45% or approximately 3,800 senior households live at or below 200% of the
federal poverty level (just over $29,000 for two people).
These statistics, coupled with the high rate of disability among Santa Monica's older
adults (62% have at least one), emphasize that the City has a significant number of
seniors who are vulnerable and in need of ongoing support services.
City- Funded Services
The City funds approximately $16.2 million in services to adults aged 65 and older. The
report describes the.scope of those services and highlights the complexity of human
service delivery, primarily provided through the HSGP. Consistent with Council's
longstanding priority, the focus of these programs is largely to meet the evolving needs
of vulnerable seniors, who are frail and /or low income, to assist them in remaining in
their homes and connected to the community.
Challenges
As stated in the report, there are three key challenges to effectively supporting Santa
Monica's seniors:
• Funding for the 82 affordable housing vouchers for low- income seniors formerly
funded by the Redevelopment Agency;
• Streamlined access to services through improved service integration; and
• Improved transportation options for more vulnerable and isolated seniors.
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The attached report and recommended actions address the second and third
challenges (City staff are already developing options for the 82 housing vouchers). In
addition staff continues to maximize non -City resources and work regionally to address
the needs of seniors
Addressing Challenges
Improved Service Integration
As older adults continue to age, many access social services for the first time, and the
likelihood of needing multiple services rises over time. There have been long- standing
challenges associated with access to services, particularly for first -time users, and with
ensuring available services are delivered in a well- integrated way. Staff has been
actively addressing the need for improved service integration by spearheading the
development of a one -stop shop for seniors. The one -stop shop would include activities
currently offered at the Senior Center such as lunch service, fitness activities, and
cultural workshops in addition to outreach and delivery of a full range of social service
programs such as care management, mental health counseling, paratransit services
and legal counseling.
In order for WISE to begin operation of the Senior Center on July 1, 2012, staff
recommends funding in the amount of $20,000 for FY 2011 -12 for start -up staffing costs
to be redirected from within the Human Services Division's operating budget. Staff will
include $150,000 for WISE to fully operate the Senior Center in the FY 2012 -13 budget
with funding redirected from the existing Human Services Division's operating budget.
As outlined in the attached report, the Senior Center operations will shift to Ken
Edwards Center mid FY 2012 -13 as the final step in achieving a one -stop shop.
Expanded Transportation Options
Discounted Big Blue Bus travel, taxicabs and paratransit services are the three types of
transportation options available to Santa Monica's seniors. Big Blue Bus provides daily
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fixed route bus travel discounts of 50 % for seniors, with a rate of $.50 for one -way local
travel and $1.00 for one -way express bus rides. Senior bus passes are 60% to 63%
lower (Day Pass - $1.50; 30 Day Pass - $24) than the regular adult rates
The Council- approved Taxicab Franchise includes a 10% discount off of the total
taxicab meter fare for seniors, with services available 24 hours per day. To receive the
discount, older adults must present the driver with identification that documents they are
Santa Monica residents aged 62 and older. Although both Big Blue Bus fixed route and
Taxicab Franchise services provide transportation to many older adults, they often do
not meet the needs of more frail seniors because of mobility challenges (ability to get to
bus stops and to board buses) and cost (taxicab fares).
There are two existing paratransit program options available to Santa Monica's senior
residents: County administered Access Services and Santa Monica Dial -A -Ride (DAR).
Both services require seniors or their caregivers to call in at least a minimum of 24 to 48
hours in advance to reserve shared van rides and there are no restrictions on the
number of rides per user. Access serves adults with a qualifying disability as defined by
the Americans with Disabilities Act (and, therefore, will not serve the approximately 38%
of Santa Monica's seniors without an eligible disability) and provides curb -to -curb
services to anywhere in Los Angeles County. In addition to serving adults 18 and over
with a disability, DAR serves adults aged 60 and older regardless of disability status.
Further, DAR provides both curb -to -curb services and door - through -door attendants,
concentrating services to rides within Santa Monica, with scheduled group trips to larger
medical facilities and shopping destinations outside of Santa Monica. DAR also has a
very limited taxi service component used for last minute medical appointments and rides
outside of regular van operating hours to City- sponsored events.
Staff recently estimated the cost of a discount taxicab voucher model for 100 seniors
aged 80 plus for two round trips per person per month with a $3 rider co -pay and a $20
maximum fare subsidy per trip (for a 7 -mile trip estimated fare is approximately $24 per
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trip) at $107,962 ($525,166 for 500 seniors) annually, not including initial set -up costs of
$5,500 to $7,500. Staff does not recommend this program because:
• The taxicab voucher approach is costly;
• If taxicab franchisees covered the cost, the result would be an increase of
between 54% to 69% of their current franchise fees for only 100 seniors, not
including additional business license taxes of $14,500 to $15,750; and
• It would not meet the transportation needs of this age group.
Older seniors are best served through paratransit services because drivers are
specifically trained to work with the senior population and people with disabilities and
keenly focus on their needs. Further, paratransit drivers are transportation company
employees and their income is unrelated to trip fares. In contrast, taxicab drivers are
largely individual contractors whose income is based solely on fares. The additional
time often involved in assisting and transporting seniors is a disincentive, as it reduces
the number of taxicab trips that can be provided in a given day, thereby negatively
impacting income.
In order to maximize assistance to the most vulnerable seniors, staff recommends the
following:
• Expand specific components of the WISE DAR program and develop new
outreach activities, to be funded in FY 2012 -13 using a total of $71,000 in Prop A
reserve funds.
1) Door - Through -Door: Given the program has reached capacity, staff
recommends increased funding of $22,000 for an additional 1,000 hours of
door through door services for approximately 50 seniors;
2) After Hours Taxi Service: To provide more flexibility for lower income
seniors ages 80 and older who are registered DAR riders, staff recommends
additional funding in the amount of $35,000 for expanding the program by
providing taxi rides pre- arranged by WISE staff to any destination within
Santa Monica during hours when DAR van service is closed; and
3) Social Excursions: WISE would provide frail seniors biweekly social outings
using van door - through -door services to select restaurants offering steep
senior discounts and other destinations for groups of frail DAR customers,
which would require increased funding of $14,000.
• Effective use of national and regional resources:
1) Apply for federal New Freedom grant funding (up to $580,000; see
resolution in Attachment B) for further expansion of DAR door - through -door
services. Although the grant is competitive, if awarded, the three -year
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funding would result in over 3,000 additional van trips annually starting in
late 2012.
2) Maximize residents' use of County Access Services to destinations outside
of Santa Monica, while focusing City resources on (DAR) door - through -door
services and travel within the City. City staff is currently working with Access
Services and WISE to develop a plan for improving awareness of Access
Services and to facilitate eligible Santa Monica seniors' enrollment in the
program.
3) Continuing staff's active participation in the Westside Cities Council of
Governments, which is addressing seniors' regional transportation needs
with a specific focus on improved transit coordination across local cities.
Commission Action
The Commission for the Senior Community, Commission on the Status of Women,
Disabilities Commission and the Social Services Commission voted unanimously to
support the recommendations. The Commission for the Senior Community further
recommended that Council continue to focus on funding services that will encourage
frail seniors to stop driving their own cars.
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Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The contract modification to be awarded to WISE & Healthy Aging is $20,000 for a new
total contract amount not to exceed $1,145,112. The contract modification requires a
budget transfer of $20,000 from account 0126211.555850 to account 012627.563129.
The total amount of grant funds requested from the U.S. Department of Transportation
in New Freedom grant funding is up to $580,000 over three years.
Prepared by: Robin Davidson, Human Services Administrator
Joe Stitcher, Assistant Director, Big Blue Bus Transit Services
Salvador Valles, Business and Revenue Operations Manager
Approved:
Karen Ginsberg
Director, Community and " it
Services
AbDecAvalrlek-lqugihes
Director of Finance
Director of Transit
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
Attachments:
Attachment A: Serving Santa Monica's Seniors: Services & Transportation Options
Attachment B: Resolution
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Attachment A.
• ff WTIJWTIW
SERVING SANTA NIONICA'S SENIORS: CITY SERVICES & TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
BACKGROUND
The Human Services Grant Proaram
In 2008, the City released the report Evoluotion,of Services. for 01der Adults in Santa Monica (Evaluation
Report) which included key recommendations for improving the quality and coordination of service
delivery for the City's seniors. Since that time, staff has worked primarily with its partner agencies funded
through the Human Services Grants Program (HSGP) to update programs and integrate services to
streamline access to them. On June 21, 2011 City Council approved the FY 2011 -1.5 HSGP, which
provides a total of $7.4M in funding to 23 nonprofit agencies to deliver over 40 social service programs,
including $2.8M to serve older adults. Council priority has been to direct City resources to meeting the
needs of more vulnerable seniors through the provision of more intensive and long term services.
HSGP grantee WISE & Healthy Aging (WISE) is funded to provide six (6) programs to Santa Monica's
oldest residents. The City supported the 2007 merger of WISE Senior Services with Center for Healthy
Aging which resulted in today's WISE. Because WISE has a proven track record of providing diverse, high
quality services, staff has worked closely with the agency over the last four years to integrate priority
services within WISE, consistent with the recommendations in the Evaluation Report. Just over two years
ago, WISE took over operations of the senior lunch program and plans are under way to transition Senior
Center operations to the agency to achieve a genuine one -stop shop center for Santa Monica's oldest
residents.
Senior Transportation
The Council- approved Taxicab Franchise meter rates include a 10% discount for seniors 65 and older, which
still results in fairly high fares. At the September 27, 2011 Council meeting staff presented a cross -City
comparison of senior taxicab discount programs that provide steeper discounts. These programs provide
"vouchers" that translate into only one or two round trips per month or quarter per person depending on the
distance of the ride destinations. The limited number of rides afforded each senior is due to the high cost of
each trip, making these programs very costly. Council requested that staff return with a presentation on the
full range of HSPG and other City- funded services, giving particular consideration to identifying
transportation service gaps.
Santa Monica's seniors have four transit options available to them: Big Blue bus travel, taxicabs, and two
paratransit shared van services: County ACCESS shared van service and WISE Dial -A -Ride (shared vans,
door- through -door services and limited taxi service). The City's frail seniors most often jurn to paratransit
services to meet their transportation needs.
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SERVING SANTA MONICA'S SENIORS: CITY SERVICES & TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
DEMOGRAPHIC SNAPSHOT OF SENIORS: 2010 U. S. CENSUS
Just under 27% of Santa Monica's households have at least one adult aged 65 and older and 31,267 or
35% of the City's total population (89,736) is aged 50 plus, with 20% in the 50 to 64 "boomer" age range
and 15% aged 65 and older. According to the 2010 Census, Santa Monica's population is "top heavy" and
will continue to become more so over the next 15 years when most baby boomers will be well over the age of
65.
50 - 64,yrs.
65 - 84 yrs.
50 & Older
65 & Older
75 & Older
80 & Older
17,851
(20 %)
10,818
(12 %)
31,267
(35 %)
13,416
(15 %)
6,819
(8 %)
4,524
(561.)
Limited mobility and the development of multiple disabilities correlate with increasing age. 4,228 or 62% of
our seniors age 75 and older have at least one disability while 2,811 or 41 % have two disabilities. Further,
with age, income decreases and the risk of poverty rises, as indicated by the following annual economic
snapshot of Santa Monica adults aged 75 and over:
6% or 423 seniors live at or below the federal poverty threshold of $10,788
18% or 1,227 seniors live at 100% to 150% ($10,788 - $16,355) of the federal poverty threshold
45% or approximately 3,800 senior households live at or below 200% of the federal poverty level
The average income of all Santa Monica households is estimated at just over $97,000. With the average
income of senior households at around $29,000, which is just under 200% of the poverty threshold for two
people, many seniors are struggling to live in Santa Monica. Most seniors have significant prescription drug
costs, and the majority of Santa Monica seniors are renters (66% or almost 9,000), so a significant portion of
their income is allocated to rent, leaving limited household funds for other expenses. Consistent with these
data, this report focuses on meeting the needs of frail seniors, particularly those who are 80 years of age
and older.
CITY FUNDED SERVICES
The City provides an estimated $16.2M in services to seniors aged 65 and over (excludes Police Department
costs), with the largest funding for services administered by the Big Blue Bus ($5.6 M) and the Human Services
Division ($3.1M). Additional departments with significant resources allocated to older adults are the Santa
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SERVING SANTA NIONICA'S SENIORS: CITY SERVICES & TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Monica Public Library, Housing and Economic Development and the Police Department. Note that staff is
working toward developing an annual "Senior Budget" similar to the annual Youth Budget calculated each
year.
There is an array of City- funded services for seniors, with considerable diversity within human service
delivery. The HSGP funds a substantial network of programs with seven (7) that specifically target seniors:
• Care management and related in -home services
• Adult day care services
• Peer counseling and mental health support
• "Village Model" membership program (WISE Connections)
• Paratransit services (DAR van and taxi services; door - through -door attendants)
• Senior lunch program
• Home delivered meals
HSGP homeless programs (case management, mental health, supportive housing, etc.) serve almost 50% older
adults on average, and five (5) additional programs that provide disability, legal and health services to
significant numbers of adults 65 and over. Consistent with Council priority, the focus of these programs is
largely to meet the evolving needs of vulnerable seniors, who are frail and /or low income, so that they can
remain in their homes and connected to the community.
CHALLENGES
The Commission for the Senior Community (CSC) and the Evaluation Report both argue for more well -
integrated service delivery, a challenge that Human Services Division staff have been actively addressing
over the last four years with its grantee partners. As older adults continue to age, many access social services
for the first time, and the likelihood of needing multiple services rises over time. In addressing Council's
direction to identify services gaps, staff considered information from the CSC, Evaluation Report, and the
Westside Cities Council of Governments (WSCCOG), a joint powers authority created by Santa Monica and
surrounding cities to build consensus on policies and programs of regional concern. Those sources had strong
consensus on three (3) basic priorities for seniors: Affordable housing, in -home services independent living
support, and transportation.
Recently City Council has addressed the affordable housing needs of seniors more closely, within the context
of the loss of Redevelopment Agency funding. With respect to the other two identified issues, the HSGP funds
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SERVING SANTA NIONICA'S SENIORS: CITY SERVICES & TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
a full range of services that specifically address those major needs areas, some of which were augmented this
year as part of the new four -year funding cycle.
In close consideration of senior transportation, staff did not find any pervasive issues, but identified a
targeted need for older, less mobile seniors who rely largely on paratransit services for their connection to the
outside world. Currently the DAR door - through -door program is operating at capacity leaving older, frail
and /or low- income seniors with limited transportation choices. In addition, there continue to be challenges
related to outreach to more isolated seniors.
ADDRESSING CHALLENGES
Improved Service Integration
Staff has worked closely with HSGP agencies to streamline seniors' access to services and improve service
coordination with the intent of achieving a one -stop shop. In January 2010 the City completed transition of the
operations and administration of the Senior Lunch Program to WISE. Included as a priority in the Council
approved FY 2011 -15 HSGP Funding Rationale (January 11, 2011) was the transition of Senior Center
operations to a grantee with expertise in delivery of quality senior services. WISE submitted a proposal and
was selected, but requested a delay in fully transitioning operations until July 1, 2012. The City will begin the
official transition of the program to WISE starting April of this year, with full transfer complete in July. Funds
from the existing City -run Senior Center Operations will be redirected to the agency, so no new costs will be
associated with the integration of the program into WISE.
To further advance the goal of achieving a one -stop shop for Santa Monica's seniors, planning is underway to
move Senior Center operations, currently at 1450 Ocean Avenue, to the Ken Edwards Center (KEC) where
WISE is located. The current Senior Center facility consists of only two rooms and no parking facility. A Master
Plan for KEC is in progress to identify ways to update the facility to meet vulnerable seniors' growing
programming needs and should be completed by early May. KEC will continue to be a broader hub for social
service agencies that address City priorities and community needs, of which a significant component will be
programming tailored to The City's oldest residents. This plan allows seniors to have one location for social
services, social connection, cultural education and fitness /healthy living activities while providing an updated
space that can also engage current boomers. Staff is developing an alternative use for the current Senior
Center building that will include cultural activities and classes for the general community to include more active
older adults.
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SERVING SANTA MONICA'S SENIORS: CITY SERVICES & TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
EXDanded Transportation Cations
Transportation options for Santa Monica's seniors include discounted bus travel, paratransit services, and
taxicabs. Staff recently explored a limited taxicab voucher model aimed specifically at seniors aged 80 and
older. The estimated annual cost for 100 seniors at two round trips within the City per person per month is
$107,962 ($525,166 for 500 seniors), with a $3 co -pay for the participant (subsidy would be up to $20 per
trip; 7 -mile fare is approximately $24), a 20% driver tip, and average $.96 swipe card transaction fee per
trip. In addition, there are initial set up costs of $5,500 to $7,500 to create the automated taxicard system.
Staff does not recommend this program in part because of its high cost. If taxicab franchisees were required
to fund the program, the result would be an increase of 54% to 69% (an additional $360 per vehicle on
average) of their current franchise fees for 100 participants, which does not include the business license taxes
of $14,500 to $15,750. The increase to fees would be 200% for 500 participants. Equally important are the
challenges in its implementation and the need for many adults 80 and older to have the kind of assistance
provided by trained paratransit drivers and door - through -door attendants. Santa Monica Taxicab Franchise
services does not provide door - through -door services.
Paratransit services drivers are trained to focus on the needs of the passenger and are employees of a
paratransit company, and, accordingly, are not directly reliant on trip fares for their income. In contrast,
taxicab drivers service the general public, are independent contractors, and depend solely on fares for
income and for vehicle licensing, maintenance and /or lease. This distinction serves as a disincentive for drivers
from serving the elderly due to the additional time needed for assisting older passengers. In short, paratransit
drivers are better able to focus on the needs of the passenger with less regard for time factors.
There are two paratransit options for Santa Monica's residents: County Access Services and Santa Monica
Dial -A -Ride (DAR). Access is administered by the County of Los Angeles to serve people with documented
disabilities, so is unavailable to Santa Monica seniors without an eligible disability (about 38% of residents
65 and older). It provides curb -to -curb services, and transports residents to destinations throughout the Los
Angeles County and operates 24 hours per day.
Santa Monica DAR serves adults 60 and over regardless of disability status as well as adults 18 and older
with a disability, and concentrates the majority of rides to destinations within Santa Monica. DAR is a hybrid
program, with van driving provided by a third party private contractor managed by the Big Blue Bus and
outreach, membership enrollment, orientation, customer service and quality control provided by WISE, a HSGP
grantee managed by the Human Services Division. Access serves about 1700 Santa Monica residents annually
primarily transporting them to medical appointments, houses of worship and destinations outside of Santa
Monica. DAR serves over 4,000 residents and focuses on transit to destinations within Santa Monica, but
includes limited transit to regional medical centers and organized trips to shopping centers. It provides both
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SERVING SANTA MONICA'S SENIORS: CITY SERVICES & TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
curb -to -curb and for over three years, door - through -door services which helps frail seniors avoid
institutionalization and isolation. This component to DAR involves an attendant who rides DAR vans, assists
seniors out of and back into the home or destination and carries heavier items such as groceries. DAR regular
van service operates weekdays 8:00am to 6:00pm, Saturday 8:30am to 3:30pm and Sunday 8:00am to
1:30pm. DAR door - through -door services are available weekdays 9:00am to 4:30pm.
DAR has a limited taxi component, which provides rides for last minute medical appointments and to City -
sponsored events that are outside of DAR's regular van service hours. Given the opportunity for many seniors
to use Access services, staff is working to maximize eligible residents' use of County Access services to
destinations outside of Santa Monica while focusing City resources on DAR door - through -door services and
travel within the City.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Improved Service Intearation Recommendations
Staff plans to continue to work on service integration issues. The next step to achieving a truly integrated
system of senior service delivery is to move forward with plans for funding WISE to operate Senior Center
programs, with City support to begin transitioning to WISE in the fourth quarter of This year, and to fund WISE
for full Senior Center operations in FY 2011 -12. With City staff support, WISE will continue building its
partnerships with other agencies that serve seniors to bring additional on -site services for improved service
access and integration.
Expanded Transportation Options
Staff has identified the need for additional nuanced transportation options for Santa Monica's most frail
seniors, to include innovative outreach to frail seniors who tend to be more isolated to ensure they are aware
of transportation options. Four City Commissions — Commission for the Senior Community, Disabilities
Commission, Commission on the Status of Women and Social Services Commission — each unanimously
supported the following recommendations:
Expand Dial -A -Ride as follows:
(1) Expand WISE DAR door - Through -door services to serve more frail seniors. The expansion would
allow for more DAR vans to include an attendant.
(2) Expand DAR After -Hours Taxi Service to provide more rides and destination flexibility for those
seniors 80 and older.
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SERVING SANTA MONICA'S SENIORS: CITY SERVICES & TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
(3) Launch DAR Social Excursions to promote social connection. Through the DAR van and door - through
door - services, biweekly social outings to select restaurants and other destinations would benefit
groups of frail DAR customers.
® Maximize non -City (federal and regional) resources as follows:
(1) Apply for a federal New Freedom Grant through the U. S. Department of Transportation to
further expand DAR door - Through -door services. This grant could provide one -time funds of up to
$580,000 for the purchase of an additional pdratransit van, if warranted based on projected
rides, and three -year funding for operations of expanded DAR door - through -door services,
thereby minimizing the need to rely on last minute DAR Taxi Services and providing an extra van
and attendants during peak service hours.
(2) Maximize residents' use of County Access Services to destinations outside of Santa Monica, which
will allow City dollars to be used on meeting DAR door - through -door services needs and travel
within the City. The strategy will also improve DAR van promptness and provide more rides during
peak times because the lengthier drives to destinations outside the City will be reduced.
(3) Continue active participation in the WSCCGG, which is addressing seniors' regional transportation
needs and focusing on improved coordination of paratransit services across local cities.
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SANTA MONICA'S SENIORS
SERVICES & TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Presentation to City Council
April 24, 2012
q -A
4/24/2012
1
CITY FUNDED SERVICES FOR SENIORS
HUMANS SERVICES GRANTS PROGRAM - $2.8M FOR SENIORS
Programs targeted to seniors: $1.1 M
Meals On Wheels West: Home delivered Meals
WISE & Healthy Aging:
Care Management/In Home Services
Adult Day Care
Dial -A -Ride (paratransit)
WISE Connections
Senior Lunch Program
Peer Counseling
Other Service Areas: $1.7M to Serve Seniors.
Health /Medical - 26%
Legal Services - 37%
Disability services — 86%
Homeless programs- 47%
SERVICE INTEGRATION
Complex and robust services in need of strong
integration
WISE & Healthy Aging transition
One -stop shop model
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4/24/2012
+]
ANALYSIS OF A TAXI VOUCHER PROGRAM
• On demand for seniors 80+
• Annual Cost for 1000 Participants - $640,000
• Subsidy Per Person - $640
• 2 round trips monthly
• Up to $20 per trip plus tip and fees after $3 co -pay
• Potential Funding Streams
• Taxicab franchise program fee
• Taxicab meter rate increases
• City funding
RECOMMENDED ACTION
• Provide direction on plans to:
Complete transfer of Senior Center operations to WISE
Expand programming and improve outreach for Dial -A -Ride
Maximize senior residents' use of County Access Services
• Adopt the resolution to apply for New Freedom Grant funding
up to $580,000
• Authorize to negotiate and execute a first modification to
Contract 9422 in the amount of $20,000 with WISE
• Authorize budget changes as outlined in the Financial Impacts
and Budget sections of the Staff Report
4/24/2012
Reference Resolution No.
10673 (CCS).