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Wisconsin Employment Transportation Assistance Program 

The Wisconsin Employment Transportation Assistance Program (WETAP) represents an effort to connect low-income workers with jobs through enhanced local transportation services. This transportation program integrates state and federal funding sources into one application. The goal of this program is for local areas to work together in a collaborative process to assess the transportation needs for low-income workers and develop options for addressing those needs. For purposes of WETAP funding, low-income is defined as family income that is less than 200% Federal Poverty Level.

Lack of transportation is a significant barrier to getting and keeping jobs for low-income workers. Improving transportation services can improve the economic outcomes among these workers.

The WETAP program encourages long-term solutions by providing the funding for demonstration grants to cover the expenses of the early start-up and development stages of an effective transportation solution. 

These funds do not replace other funds that are being used for transportation.

CY 2010 WETAP Grant Cycle:

There will be no 2010 WETAP Request for Proposals (RFP). The 2009 WETAP/JARC contracts will be extended through the 2010 calendar year to continue current projects. The decision to forgo the 2010 application cycle was made because there was uncertainty with the continuation of some of the state funding for the 2010 cycle. This uncertainty delayed the application process to such an extent that the continuity of service for existing projects into early 2010 was in jeopardy. A RFP for the 2011 calendar year will be released in the summer of 2010.

Resources:

• Wisconsin RPC/MPO contact information
• DVR WDA Directors
• Federal Poverty Level Guidelines
• 2009 WETAP grant recipients
• 2009 WETAP Application (DUE OCTOBER 27, 2008)
• 2009 WETAP Evaluation Criteria

Goals:

• Coordination of federal, state and local employment transportation resources.
• Help low-income people:
  • Obtain employment
  • Retain employment
  • Advance in employment
  • Help employers access workers

Coordination and Partnerships:

• Coordination among transportation providers, planners, and the workforce development community is key.
• Multi-county applications are encouraged demonstrating a coordinated, regional effort.
• Existing programs will identify continued partnerships, program needs and gap analysis, success of current program and progress toward self-sufficiency.
• New projects need identify the partnerships, coordination, needs and gap analysis, and projections for self-sufficiency.
• In all instances a detailed budget with funding match will be submitted.
• Proposed grant recipients will need to complete applicable Federal Transit Administration (FTA) certifications.

Contacts:

Sarah Probasco
sarah.probasco@dot.wi.gov
phone: (608) 264-8426
fax: (608) 266-0658

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Questions about the content of this page:
Sarah Probasco, sarah.probasco@dot.wi.gov
Last modified: October 6, 2009