Capacity Building ProjectDufferin Not For Profit Support

Presentation Overview•Introduction- Sarah Rioux & DNFPS•Capacity Building Project•Survey says...•What can we do?•Research Findings•Moving Forward•References•Thank you!!

Introduction•Sarah Rioux

• Sociology student- specialization in Social Inequality

•Project Researcher

• From Shelburne

Dufferin Not For Profit Support• A two-year pilot project created to fund and

support projects that lead to more effective & sustainable service delivery in the not-for-profit sector.

Capacity Building Project•Undertook research into needs and options for

creating a sustainable alternative transportation model in response to concerns raised by Dufferin’s not-for-profit sector.

•The project is divided into three main segments: Part One: Assessment of Need in DufferinPart Two: Models from Other JurisdictionsPart Three: Recommended Next Steps

Volunteers

Our Vision:

Coordination

“Working together towards a brighter future”

SustainableFunding

CommunitySupport

Transportation

Q:How important is rural transportation?

A: Agencies say we can’t ignore this issue much longer.

What Residents have said... (HCIA’s “Citizen Opinion Report-2008)What makes the Headwaters Region* a good place to live/work?

What limits our region being a good place to live/work?

• Small town feel; safe, quiet, and friendly community.

• Rural, beautiful area; clean air and water

• Close to amenities both locally and in nearby urban areas (e.g. shops, arts, sport activities)

* = Dufferin County & the Town of Caledon

• Higher paying jobs

• More medical services and amenities (e.g. better shopping, high speed internet, day care)

• Issues related to the built environment, including development that threatens areas assets (e.g. safe, clean, friendly), inadequate public transportation within towns and to urban areas to the south, dependence on cars, and winter road conditions

...is needed to enhance quality of life in...

•Amaranth•East Garafraxa•East Luther/Grand

Valley•Melancthon

•Mono•Mulmur•Orangeville•Shelburne

Dufferin 2011 Transportation Needs Survey

Is there a need for alternate transportation options within Dufferin County?

Yes 100%

No 0%

The answer is clear.

Dufferin 2011Transportation Needs Survey Demographics

•634 organizations & individuals were invited to take our 17 question survey

•Received 28 responses from various organizations including:

CW LHINHospiceTrellisFood BanksCommunity Support

ServicesFaith-based Service clubs

Dufferin 2011Transportation Needs Survey Vulnerable Groups in our Region

• Seniors- the issue is only worsening as the population ages.

• People with disabilities- According to Access Ontario, “One in seven people in Ontario have a disability. Over the next 20 years, that number will rise as the population ages.”

• Low-income households

• Social Assistance Recipients

 

Location # of Households Percentage of Caseload

Orangeville 362 67%

Shelburne 96 18%

Grand Valley 52 10%

Dundalk & Melancthon 21 3%

Other 13 2%

Total 544 100%

Ontario Works Caseload as at April 30, 2011

**Statistics compiled by County of Dufferin Community Services

“People with the lowest incomes are most heavily dependent on public transit, which maintains a crucial link between home and place of work for the working poor and those seeking employment.” -Federation of Canadian Municipalities (5)

Dufferin 2011 Transportation Needs Survey Respondents Speak...!

• “[a] bus line that travels along B Line would not only service CLD but also the homes in the West end that back / front onto B Line.”

• “...Transit buses, potentially where somebody could ‘book’ a stop ahead. Routes would be fluid, and drivers could pick spots within range of their homes at certain times.”

• “A coordinated volunteer driver program shared across services...A program that supports in town drives. A challenge for agencies that do not have volunteer drivers [and/or cars].”

“Bus transportation into Orangeville with stops at designated pick up locations in rural areas.”

“A regular link between major centers in Dufferin, 3 to 4 times per day would provide a great deal of assistance to individuals needing to attend appointments.”

“People on low incomes often do not have reliable transportation to doctor’s appointments etc. in Orangeville. They also do not have transportation to jobs in Orangeville.”

Dufferin 2011 Transportation Needs Survey

Respondents Speak...!

“It would be great if communities outside of Orangeville had some access to transportation”

“we could utilize alternative forms of transportation (being a small town) like biking/walking/trails.”

“much more assistance needed for health related trips, shopping trips for seniors, disabled and needy, access to county services in Orangeville.”

Dufferin 2011 Transportation Needs Survey

Respondents Speak...!

It’s a long walk to...

Where do your clients typically need to go? (Top 3 responses listed)

1. Orangeville 96.1%

2. Outside of Dufferin County 46.1%

3. Shelburne 42.3%

...But we’re working on it...

Existing sources of transportation serving Dufferin

•Orangeville Transit, Cabs , Go Bus•Dufferin Early Years Transportation

Program •Drivers through Dufferin Community

Support Services•Caledon Community Services (limited)•Volunteer drivers via Canadian Cancer

Society (for cancer patients only) •Smither’s Van-Dufferin Oaks

How? Survey

Research

Funding

Community Support

Dufferin 2011 Transportation Needs Survey Key Findings

•Why is this service necessary?

•When do people need it?

•How often?

What purposes would your clients have for needing volunteer transportation?

access to community services (food banks, libraries, community programs etc.) 77.7%

medical appointments 62.9%shopping 59.2%social visits 55.5%work and/or job interviews 44.4%school 33.3%other 14.8%

** in this case respondents checked all that applied

Dufferin 2011 Transportation Needs Survey

Dufferin 2011 Transportation Needs Survey

What times of day/evening would your clients require transportation?Weekday afternoons 12:01 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. 69.5%Weekday evenings - 5:01 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

47.8%

Weekday mornings before 9:00 a.m.

43.4%

Weekday mornings between 9:01 and noon

43.4%

Weekday evenings between 8:01 and 11:00 p.m.

34.7%

Saturdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

34.7%

Sundays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m

30.4%

Sundays between 5:01 and 8:00 p.m.

17.3%

Other 21.7%Saturdays between 5:01 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

13%

Dufferin 2011 Transportation Needs Survey

What would you estimate as the frequency of use of transportation services by your clients?

1-2 days per week 41.6%7 days per week 25.0%5-6 days per week 20.8%3-4 days per week 16.6%once every two weeks 16.6%once per month 16.6%Other 4.1%

Research: Transportation Models From Other Communities

•Key Patterns & Themes

•Advice for moving forward

•Areas to be further explored

Research: Transportation Models From Other Communities

Response Response ratio

Adults 16.7%Low-income individuals/families

16.7%

Seniors 58.3%Disabled 41.6%Women 8.3%Anyone 25%

Who are your clients?

What is the purpose of your clients need for alternative transportation?

Response Response Ratio

Medical 91.7%Necessity trips (groceries, errands, etc.) 75%Social 50%Employment 25%Recreational 16.67%Legal 16.67%Day Care 8.3%

Research: Transportation Models From Other Communities

How are your services coordinated?

•Most important element- dedicated volunteers•Hiring a coordinator•Having a central access point (office, phone #,

etc.)•Central stops work for well-established services•Individual pick-ups must be arranged in advance•Priority given to medical appointments and

disabled individuals•Hours of operation dependent on funding &

availability of volunteers

Research: Transportation Models From Other Communities

Research: Transportation Models From Other Communities

How is your venture funded?

• Trillium• Supporting municipality/county• Fundraising- events, service clubs, volunteers• Company sponsorships• LHIN• ODSP• United Way• GTF, Public Transit Tax Credit• Private donations• Social services• EIF• Ministry of Health

The Facts: Federal Gas Tax Fund vs. Ontario’s Gas Tax Program

Federal GTF• Supports

infrastructure such as public transit, drinking water, wastewater infrastructure, community energy systemssolid waste management

local roads and bridges

Provincial •Provides initiatives

with funding of 2 cents per litre

•For public transit systems

•Specialized transit systems

Research: Transportation Models From Other Communities

Lessons learned from other projects...

• Success or failure lies primary in the ability to secure municipal support

• Must have municipal support to utilize gas tax credit• gas tax crucial (75% back- have to have van conversion

upfront )• Communicate with other service providers so that there is

not duplication of service• Do not put service into effect until sufficiently advertised

to community• For sustainability- use multidimensional funding model• Subsidize user fees with fundraising or if functional transit

system tax credit applies

Community Resource Centre of North & Centre Wellington

No Frills TransportationAddington Highlands

Community Transportation Advisory Committee

Northumberland Transportation Initiative

Canes Community CareCaledon Community ServicesKawartha Lakes Community

Care Health and Support

ServicesSaugeen Mobility and Regional

Transit (SMART) Fergus Elora Senior TransQuinte AccessDeseronto TransitBancroft Community Transit

ServiceSenior’s Transit in Goderich

Research: Transportation Models From Other CommunitiesNoteworthy Examples....Transportation IS achievable!

Research: Transportation Models From Other Communities

Moving Forward:

• Expanding on preliminary research

• Gaining more community support through networking and informative meetings

• Identifying research models which would serve our specific need in Dufferin County

• Recommendations

Research: Transportation Models From Other Communities

Resources

• Dufferin 2011 Transportation Survey

• Headwaters Communities in Action.Rpt. of Citizen Opinion about Community Well-being And Proposed Well-being Reports . Orangeville: n.p., 2008. Headwaters Communities in Action. Web. 1 June 2011.

• “Mending Canada’s frayed social safety net: The role of municipal governments.” Theme Report 6. Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Web. 1 June 2011.

• Canada. Ministry of Community and Social Services. Making Ontario Accessible. N.p., 6 June 2011. Web. 7 June 2011. <http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/accessibility/index.aspx>.

THANK YOU!