Transportation &
Employment
Tony Beregszazi
ADVOCAP Deputy Director
July 26, 2013
What is ADVOCAP?
• Community Action Agency
• Mission to Create Opportunities for People and
Communities to Reduce Poverty and Increase
Self Sufficiency
• Serve Fond du Lac, Winnebago, and Green Lake
Counties
ADVOCAP’s Experience with
Transportation
• Represented on local and regional transportation
planning committees
• Own a fleet of buses, weatherization and
property maintenance vans, home delivered meal
vehicles
• Provide vouchers for transit system and for gas
purchases
• Provide loans for vehicle purchases and repairs
• Provide loans to restore vehicle licenses and
registrations
Experience with Employment
• Have operated Employment and Training Programs
since the late 60’s
• Represented on the Fox Valley Workforce
Development Board
• Selected to demonstrate national programs
• Involved in operating programs under CETA, JTPA,
WIA
• Contract with DVR, FVWDB, ORR, WISCAP, HUD
and other investors
• Operate Business Development TA and Loan
Programs
• Employ about 200 individuals
Populations Served In E&T Programs
• Low income Adults
• Low income Youth
• Persons with Disabilities
• Refugees
• Dislocated Workers
• Older Workers
• Victims of Domestic Violence
• Young Fathers
• FSET Recipients
Who are low income?
• The elderly, children, and employed or
underemployed are largest groups
• Have multiple barriers to employment
• Income at or below federal poverty guidelines
Federal Poverty Guidelines
Household Size
one
two
three
four
Hourly
$5.52
$7.46
$9.39
$11.32
• 100%=co-pays begin for children in BadgerCare Plus
• 115%=maximum income level for W-2 participation
• 138%=income ceiling for Medicaid provision in health
care reform law
Statistics for Wisconsin
• Poverty Rate: 12%
• Unemployment Rate: 6.9%
• Median Household Income: $25.18 per hour
Commuting to Work in Wisconsin
• Drove Alone
• Carpooled
• Public Transportation
• Walked
• Other
• Worked At Home
2011 American Community Survey
79.8%
8.9%
2.0%
3.4%
1.6%
4.3%
Transportation a Top Need of Low
Income People
• Tied with affordable housing as a need
• Barrier to getting and keeping a job
• Costly as a percentage of disposable income
• Low income have little or no savings for
emergencies
• Dependable and flexible options often not
available
• Rural options particularly absent
Worker Mobility A Community Need
• Workforce Development
• Businesses and Productivity
• Community Involvement
• Economic Development
Best Criteria for Transportation Options
• Flexible
• Reliable
• Affordable
• Energy Efficient
• Individualized to Address Needs
Studies of Impact of Car Ownership on
Welfare Recipients’ Employment
Benefits:
•
•
•
•
Increase in employment opportunities
Direct improvement in wages
Direct improvement in job retention
Direct improvement on weeks worked per year
Burdens:
• Costs of Purchase, Maintenance, Insurance, Fuel,
etc.
• Need reserve funds for unexpected repair needs
Local Solutions
• Vehicle Lease Options
• Vehicle Purchase Programs
• Vehicle Repair Programs
• Programs to Address Suspension of Driving
Privileges
• Volunteer Driver Programs
• Employer Incentive Programs
• Ride Share Programs
• Van Pools
• Bicycle Rental Programs
Who could step up and help more?
• Workforce Development Boards
• Economic Development Corporations
• Technical Colleges
• Employers
• Others
Transportation
Equals
Economic Opportunity
Tony Beregszazi
ADVOCAP Deputy Director
July 26, 2013