Enhancing Transit Accessibility for Limited English Proficiency Groups

1. Kitsap Transit Demographic Assessment September 25, 2015 APA Peninsula Section Annual Conference

2. Community Attributes Inc. CAI provides research and analysis to increase awareness, inform decisions and improve results for our clients and the communities they serve. We are passionate about telling data-rich stories about communities that are important to decision makers. 2005 300+ 200+ Founded Projects Clients

3. 1 Background 2 Methods 3 Findings Community Attributes Inc. September 25, 2015 1

4. 1 Background: Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan • Community Attributes Inc. worked with Kitsap Transit to determine transit access and needs for people with limited English language skills • The final LEP plan allowed Kitsap Transit to stay in compliance with Federal Transit Administration Title VI requirements • CAI used the Four Factor Analysis to ensure services and information were accessible to LEP groups • The assessment drew from existing and published U.S. Census data • Stakeholder outreach to the Kitsap area organizations helped supplement census data • GIS maps showed areas of multifamily housing, languages spoken, transportation means, low-income households, and more Community Attributes Inc. September 25, 2015 2

5. 2 Methods: Four Factor Analysis The Department of Transportation established the Four Factor Analysis that transit agencies use to ensure services and information are accessible to LEP groups. Four Factor Analysis Assessing the number and proportion of LEP persons served or encountered in the eligible service population Assessing the frequency with which LEP individuals come into contact with the program, activity, or service Assessing the nature and importance of the program, activity, or service provided by the program Assessing the resources available to the recipient and costs Graham Othello Community Attributes Inc. September 25, 2015 3

6. 2 Methods: Four Factor Analysis – Factor 1 • Number and Proportion of LEP in Kitsap County • To identify languages spoken and determine proportion of LEP groups, CAI: • Analyzed data from the U.S. Census American Community Survey • Facilitated stakeholder interviews with LEP-oriented organizations • The most prevalent language spoken was Spanish Graham Othello Community Attributes Inc. September 25, 2015 3

7. 2 Methods: Four Factor Analysis – Factor 2 • Frequency of Contact with LEP in Kitsap County • To help inform the frequency of contact with LEP groups, CAI: • Conducted an informal survey of Kitsap Transit operators • Performed GIS analysis • Facilitated stakeholder interviews with LEP-oriented organizations Graham • Stakeholder Interview Questions (partial list) • What does your organization do? What do you do? What population do you serve? • Do you work with people that don’t understand English well? If so, what language groups do you come into contact with most often? • What are the challenges faced by the people you serve who are not proficient in English? What is the main challenge they face? • Do you know how often this group uses transit? (daily, occasionally, rarely?) Othello Community Attributes Inc. September 25, 2015 3

8. 2 Methods: Four Factor Analysis – Factor 3 • Importance of Services to LEP in Kitsap County • To quantify the importance of transit to LEP groups, CAI: • Analyzed US Census Means of Transportation to Work data • Facilitated stakeholder interviews with LEP-oriented organizations Graham Othello Community Attributes Inc. September 25, 2015 3

9. 2 Methods: Four Factor Analysis – Factor 4 • Resources Available to the Recipient & Costs • To identify resources and organizations that reach LEP groups, CAI: • Cataloged current and potential Kitsap Transit partners • Recommended communications and outreach tools Graham • Partner Organizations • American Red Cross • Bremerton Housing Authority • Catholic Community Services • Child Care Resource/Referral Service of Kitsap County • DSHS • E&J Reyes Mabuhay Lounge • El Coral Restaurant • Filipino American Community • Filipino Women's Club of Kitsap County • Habitat for Humanity • Harrison Hospital • Hillcrest Assembly of God • Kitsap Co. Domestic Violence Task Force • Kitsap Community Resources • Kitsap County Health District • Kitsap Human Rights Network • Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center • Kitsap Mental Health Services • Literacy Council of Kitsap County • Lutheran Community Services • Naval Base Kitsap Fleet & Family Support • Soroptimist of Greater Bremerton • United Way of Kitsap County • YWCA of Kitsap County • YMCA of Kitsap County • Bremerton Salvation Army • Benedict House • St Vincent De Paul Society • Kitsap Unitarian Universal Fellowship • Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Parish • Our Lady Star Of The Sea Parish • St Olaf Parish • St Gabriel Parish • St Cecilia Paris Othello Community Attributes Inc. September 25, 2015 3

10. 3 Findings: Demographics • A total of 6,931 (3.1%) persons were identified as LEP in Kitsap County • The two largest LEP language groups in Kitsap were: • Spanish(2,585 population) • Tagalog(1,502 population) • Other large LEP groups spoke German, Japanese and other Pacific Island languages • Stakeholder interviews identified groups that spoke Mam, a rare Mayan language with Mexican/Guatemalan origins • The majority of Spanish LEP live in Bremerton, Port Orchard and Parkwood • The majority of Asian and Pacific Island Language LEP live in Bremerton and Silverdale • LEP stakeholder interviews indicated LEP groups live in the most affordable rental units available Community Attributes Inc. September 25, 2015 4

11. 3 Findings: Transit Operators Contact with LEP • An informal survey of Kitsap Transit operators found: • 81 out of 87 respondents had transported or spoken with LEP riders • Percentage of LEP groups that reside in communities served by Kitsap Transit fixed routes: • 92% of Spanish LEP • 94% of Asian and Pacific Islander LEP • Stakeholder interviews with Spanish and Mam speakers found: • This group uses transit frequently • They desire to live in the mostaffordable and accessibleapartments • There is often a lack of understanding the transit system • CAI found most organizations in Kitsap that work with immigrants focus on this language group • Stakeholder interviews with Tagalog speakers found: • This group does not have trouble understanding English or accessing transit Summary of Languages Spoken by Transit Service Area, 2009 Community Attributes Inc. September 25, 2015 5

12. 3 Findings: Importance of Transit Services to LEP Groups • Areas with more than 25 people per 100 acres who use transit to commute to work include: • Bremerton • East Bremerton • Kariotis • eastern Bainbridge Island (due to ferry commuters) • Suquamish • Parkwood • Manchester • Areas with people who are more dependent on transit include: • Bremerton • East Bremerton • Kariotis • Silverdale • Port Orchard • Parkwood • The most important service for Spanish and Mam LEP groups (as cited by stakeholders): • Fixed route bus service • Stakeholders interviews revealed: • The bus transfer process is a hurdle for LEP groups • Bus Transfer Centers may be important facilities for LEP transit riders heading to multiple desinations • CAI determined: • Targeted outreach was needed to raise awareness of the variety Kitsap Transit services Community Attributes Inc. September 25, 2015 6

13. 3 Findings: Resources and Recipient Costs • Kitsap Transit language assistance measures: • AT&T language line for telephone interpreting • Pictorial fare cards • Coordination with partner organizations: • Kitsap Transit gives service updates at monthly Kitsap Continuum of Care Coalition meetings, which are shared with caseworkers and clients • Kitsap Transit distributes printed information, flyers and brochures for partners to share with clients Community Attributes Inc. September 25, 2015 7

14. Thank you! Radhika Nair Senior Planner radhika@communityattributes.com