Each of these team members had been actively involved in advocating for improved transportation services for many years.

In March of 2005, three of the team members attended the Easter Seals Project Action Mobility Planning Institute in Washington DC. At that meeting, a vision for transportation in San Diego County was created:

"That all people living in San Diego County will have full mobility within their community by an accessible transportation system that meets their individual needs."

The results of the work done at the Mobility Planning Institute was an Action Plan and a commitment to develop a coordinated transportation system in San Diego County.

Over the next few months the team continued to meet and attend training in Mobility Management and Context Sensitive Solutions. The team decided on a name for their project, Full Access & Coordinated Transportation, or FACT.

The FACT Team met monthly to prepare for a County-wide meeting at which the concepts and principals of coordinated transportation would be presented to social service agencies, transportation providers and anyone interested or involved with human service transportation needs. This meeting took place October 7, 2005 and was attended by over 80 people from around the County, including city, and state elected officials. Sharing in the presentation was Karen Hoesch of ACCESS Transportation Services in Pittsburgh.

NORTH COUNTY PILOT PROJECT
It was at this meeting that FACT introduced the idea of a North County Pilot Project. Due to the size of San Diego County, approximately 4200 square miles, and because North County Transit District was a major supporter of FACT, it was decided that a Pilot Project would be the most prudent way to bring a coordinated transportation system to the County.

The area selected for the North County Pilot Project (NCPP) consists of six cities covering a total of 1100 square miles. Public transportation in this area is provided by North County Transit District. The total population of the NCPP area is 890,000. This area contains several hospitals and medical centers, a State University, several large shopping centers, and many businesses and recreational areas.

The concept behind a pilot project is for FACT to identify the barriers and develop the techniques and resources necessary to create a coordinated transportation system in an area smaller than the entire county. The goal of the NCPP is to create the systems and solve the problems in a confined area, and then introduce the solutions to the entire county in a step-wise fashion. FACT is committed to creating a system that works, and truly serves the people in need of transportation. The lessons learned during the NCPP will be invaluable to the organized spread of coordinated transportation.

The Albert and Elaine Borchard Foundation, Inc of Woodland Hills, California generously donated $10,000 to FACT to be used as seed money for the development of a Mobility Management Center, and as a challenge grant to other foundations to step up and support FACT.

MOBILITY MANAGEMENT CENTER NEWS
In May and June 2009, the FACT Board of Directors approved a budget to incorporate New Freedom 2007 and 2008 funds for the development of a Mobility Management Center into our eventual Business Plan. The Business Plan will provide the operational road map for Mobility Management Center implementation and ensure an inclusive developmental process. This project includes:

• Developing a comprehensive business plan for FACT
• Hiring Administrative Support staff
• Hiring Technical Assistance staff to work with agencies in the community
• Purchasing ride-scheduling/coordination software
• Establishing systems for answering calls and scheduling rides
• Hiring consultant support in marketing, technology and IT, and governmental relations

SHARE THE VISION AND BECOME A FACT PARTNER
FACT is working with agencies, organizations and municipalities throughout the country to build relationships and gather support for the vision of a coordinated system of transportation that serves seniors, people with disabilities and other citizens that are unable to use or access the current transportation systems.

The FACT COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM is designed to document support for FACT and our vision to improve transportation in San Diego County. There are currently three levels or types of supporting documents available. Click HERE to download the FACT Partnership Program. If you agree with the vision of FACT and wish to demonstrate your support for FACT, please download the Partnership Program and send your supporting document to FACT Inc., 410 S. Melrose Dr. Suite 207, Vista CA 92081.

For FACT to succeed relationships must be built and collaborations must be established. By partnering together we can address the regional issue of improved transportation services.

All FACT supporters and partners will be acknowledged on this web site, and during all outreach and education presentations throughout the county.

• Escondido City Council Partnership Agreement and Operating Partnership Pledge
• Del Mar Community Connections Partnership Agreement
• Transit Alliance for a Better North County Partnership Agreement
• At Your Home Familycare Partnership Agreement
• Vista City Council Statement of Support
• North County Transit District Partnership Agreement and Operating Partnership Pledge
• City of Oceanside Partnership Agreement
• San Diego Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled Partnership Agreement
• AARP San Dieguito Chapter 239 Statement of Support
• Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP) Statement of Support
• The City of Poway
• 2-1-1 San Diego
• Ability Center Partnership Agreement

If you would like to learn more about FACT, or have us present information to you or your agency or group, please contact us through this web site, or by calling (760) 643-4081.