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.
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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.
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2019 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 2019 PAG Public Transit Human Services Coordinated Transportation Plan was adopted by Regional Council in January 2020. Human service agencies are actively involved in identifying regional human service transportation needs and developing strategies to meet these needs through quarterly coordination meetings.
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