Job Access and Reverse Commute (jarc) Program fy 2009 Service Profiles Region X alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington October 2010 fta-08-0162 Job Access and Reverse Commute (jarc) fy 2009 Service Profiles: Region X

Location: Clackamas County (OR)
Type: Information-Based Services/Transportation resource training ("group training")
Goal: Improved customer knowledge
Service description: The Travel Trainer program at Clackamas County Social Services (CCSS) provides training and support to volunteers who assist members of our community who are seeking or maintaining employment in accessing fixed route transportation. The program also provides direct client training at certain sites, such as Department of Human Services. The Travel Trainer program educates low-income clients in group settings throughout Clackamas County. Upon completion of the program, these clients will have the necessary skills to effectively utilize public transportation, carpools, job shuttles, and other transportation options so they can meet their current and future needs. If a client has need of more intensive assistance, they can also have a Travel Trainer volunteer or program staff member actually ride with them on their planned routes up to two times in order to learn routes, transfer stops and practice bus etiquette. Clients who require additional assistance can be referred to Ride Connection’s Ridewise program for additional and specialized training and assistance.
Evaluation: Individuals served complete evaluations at the end of their training. We also track the number of clients served, the number of volunteers trained, and the number of promotional and educational materials provided.
Accomplishments: Educating county staff and volunteers in travel training so they can provide “on the spot” education and support to clients in need of assistance. This special effort eliminates some of the need for referrals and provides swift and necessary client support.
Lessons learned: Networking with other agencies serving clients who need this service provides a greater ability to do community outreach. Training staff at other agencies, similar to our internal trainings, also allows those agencies to provide immediate client assistance, with the continued ability to refer clients to more extensive classes or one-to-one travel training experiences.