Drug & Alcohol Program Management (DAPM) (Virtual) – 3/4/25 – 3/6/25
This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the FTA Drug and Alcohol testing program, covering all major topic areas of FTA drug & alcohol compliance. The course will cover all requirements as well as best-practices to ensure ongoing efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance for a USDOT-FTA drug and alcohol testing program. The course covers such topics as regulatory history and requirements related to 49 CFR Part 655 and 49 CFR Part 40; policy development and implementation; categories of testing (i.e., pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up); supervisor/employee training requirements; recordkeeping requirements; reporting procedures and requirements, including DAMIS; and testing procedures and services agent oversight (Urine Collectors, Breath Alcohol Technicians, MROs, SAPs, Laboratories, C/TPAs), among others. This training is also designed to keep transit managers up-to-date and knowledgeable about current compliance issues and the FTA audit process.
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Drug & Alcohol Reasonable Suspicion (Virtual) – 3/7/25
The session is provided for transit system employees that may be responsible for making reasonable suspicion determinations. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Drug and Alcohol Testing Program regulations state that an employer must require a covered employee to submit to a drug and/or alcohol test when the employer has reasonable suspicion to believe that the employee has used a prohibited drug or misused alcohol. The training will focus on the physical, behavioral, speech, and performance indicators of probable drug use and alcohol misuse. Supervisors are trained in the facts, circumstances, physical evidence, physical signs and symptoms or patterns and/or behaviors that are associated with prohibited drug use or alcohol misuse. The training will include resource materials and real-life scenarios. The training meets the requirements of 49 CFR Part 655.14 for reasonable suspicion training. A certificate will be issued for all individuals who actively participated in the training module and who also passed the “post-webinar quiz”.
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Conflict De-escalation (Virtual) – 3/11/25
By understanding how to recognize and respond to conflicts effectively, you can reduce the risk of violence to yourself and others. This 2-hour webinar training is focused on teaching frontline staff to identify situations that could escalate to an unsafe situation and how to handle those situations that do escalate. Participants will learn triggers and situations that can cause frustration and how to use customer services skills to hear and understand not only the words that are being said or actions taken but also to understand the cause of the frustration. De-escalation and mitigation techniques will be shared.
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Boot Camp – In-Person (Raleigh) 3/13-3/14
Transit Boot Camp is a 1 ½-day course designed to provide new transit managers with understanding of the requirements of doing business with IMD and to learn about valuable resources and tools that can be used in managing and operating a rural transit system in NC. Attendees will gain insight on doing business with IMD as a sub-recipient of federal funds, will learn about IMD's structure, and will be given an overview of various programs IMD supports. Learn the areas of guidance IMD can provide and key requirements to achieve and maintain compliance with Federal and State requirements. An in-depth review of the Unified Grant Application process and applying for grants will be provided. A list of resources and helpful tools will be distributed to attendees. A number of IMD’s Key staff will be available and will discuss their role at IMD, the division they work in and how that division works with NC public transit systems. NCDOT-IMD strongly recommends Managers with three years or less attend Boot Camp to gain working knowledge of doing business with IMD while serving as rural Transit Manager in NC. It is also recommended that, following attendance at Boot Camp, you attend Transit Academy 101 to develop a deeper understanding the role of Transit Manager.
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PASS Trainer – In-Person
•3/25-3/26 Conover Station, Conover (Catawba County near Hickory)
•3/27-3/28 JCATS Facility, Selma (Johnston County)
•Each person attending MUST register with a unique email address (can be a personal address) that can be accessed by a mobile device or laptop at training (required to take test to receive certification)
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Certified Community Transit Supervisor – 4/28/-4/29 – NCPTA Conference Intensive
•Link to full Program Description on CTAA’s website: https://ctaa.org/ccts/
•A training and certification program for front-line transit managers and supervisors
•The front-line supervisor has a pivotal role in the transit organization. He or she is accountable for most of the day-to-day success of its operations. Many supervisors are promoted from within the ranks of the operating staff, while others come from a variety of backgrounds and must learn to effectively supervise. In their supervisory role, these individuals must also understand the overall objectives and mission of the transit organization, and they must be able to convey its practices, principles, and priorities to the operating staff. (Click link above for full description, including course outline.)
•Registration Fee: $300 through March 14, $350 beginning March 15 (includes all Conference meals and participation in Wednesday 4/30 agenda items)
•Attendee will be required to complete a web-based course (4-hours) prior to arriving at class
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ProcurementPRO Training - (Virtual) (05/07/25)
NCDOT-IMD will host this session for subrecipients of the state that will be utilizing this tool when required. Starting in FY2026, IMD will require it's subrecipients to use this tool for procurements $10,000 or greater. This training will help with understanding of how this tool works. If you have a procurement that we are aware of in FY26, you will also be invited to a separate training session in June where you will be able to walk through using the tool.
From NRTAP's website: https://www.nationalrtap.org/Technology-Tools/ProcurementPRO
“ProcurementPRO is a free web-based application that guides rural and Tribal grantees and State DOTs through Federal Transit Administration (FTA) procurement procedures. Using basic project information entered by the user, the program provides the required FTA clauses and certifications that must be included in procurement documents. The application can also provide other helpful resources such as a procurement document template, check lists, and guidance for preparing procurement documents. ProcurementPRO does what it may have taken you days or weeks to do."
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ELDT Programs in NC Transit (02/21/25)
Join this meeting to discuss ELDT programs in NC public transit. Participation is encouraged from all systems (rural and urban) that have an ELDT Program in place AND systems that need to implement an ELDT program for their CDL drivers. Agenda items will include: Creating a complete list of NC Systems with an ELDT Program & Contact Information, Steps Taken to Develop an ELDT Program – Compilation of Information previously received from Systems, Resources for creating and/or maintaining an ongoing ELDT Program (i.e. Websites, Trainers, etc.), and discussion on next steps to create a resource.
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Procurement Compliance – In-Person
9:00 am - 4:00 pm (all locations)
2/18/25 - Goodwill Buncombe County Workforce Development Center, Asheville
2/19/25 – Chatham Transit Network – Pittsboro
2/20/25 – Craven Community College – New Bern
This full-day training will provide an overview focused on FTA procurement regulations and subrecipients' procurement processes. Upon completion of this course, the attendee will have an understanding of when FTA procurement processes must be followed in local purchases, how to avoid common issues in procurements , and understand when and how to incorporate required federal clauses in procurements. Information will be provided so that subrecipients who are part of a larger organization (i.e. County government, Non-profit organizations) can identify and address organization-wide procurements that may require following federal procurement requirements and clauses.
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Compliance Review Preparedness (Virtual)
January 29, 2025 10am-12pm
States are required to ensure that their sub-recipients comply with all the federal requirements that apply to the FTA grant. NCDOT-IMD is responsible for oversight of sub-recipients receiving funds under Sections 5307, 5311, 5310, and 5339. Compliance Reviews are conducted by multiple consulting firms contracted by NCDOT-IMD. Sub-recipients are scheduled to be reviewed every three years; however, a review may be conducted sooner depending on various factors as determined by NCDOT-IMD. This 2-hour webinar is designed to assist sub-recipients in preparing for an upcoming compliance review. Transit staff who are responsible for ensuring compliance are encouraged to participate in this informational webinar. Topics covered in this webinar will include:
• Overview of Compliance
• Common Findings and Issues
• Review Process
• Open Question and Answer
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Policies and Procedures - 2025 Series - Part 1 (Virtual)
January 23, 2025 10am-12pm
This course is the first in a 4-part Series. Standardized policies and procedures are not only beneficial to a transit system but are also crucial to ensuring that service is provided consistently. Policies and procedures should also ensure that employees and customers are treated fairly. Whether the participant is new to policy development or is experienced, this two-hour course will provide information that can be used in creating new policies or updating existing ones. Topics of discussion will include: Whether the participant is new to policy development or is experienced, this two-hour course will provide information that can be used in creating new policies or updating existing ones. Topics of discussion will include: 1. Why policies and procedures are necessary.
2. The difference between a policy and a procedure.
3. Determining when written policies and procedures are needed.
4. Steps to take to develop and update a written policy.
5. The importance of communicating new and updated policies and procedures. Participants will receive examples of best practice formats for standardizing policy and procedure documents. Additional courses in this series will be presented through CY2025. Plan to attend all 4 sessions to learn essential elements to include in your policies and procedures. Sessions 2 and 3 will focus on Compliance and Administrative Policies, Session 4 will provide information on Operations Policies and Procedures. Additional sessions may be added if needed.
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Advanced Mobility Device Securement (AMDS) – NTI Training (In Person)
September 17-18 & 19-20, 2024
This workshop specifically addresses the special challenges of oversized and powered wheelchairs and scooters. The goal of this workshop is to present, demonstrate, and practice problem-solving skills for securing powered mobility devices. Registration will be required (coming soon).
•September 17-18 – Western Location:
Foot Hills Higher Education Center,
2128 S. Sterling St, Morganton (Burke County)
•September 19-20 – Eastern Location:
Charles W. Pittman Operations Center,
1800 Herring Avenue, Wilson (Wilson County)
Americans with Disabilities Act (In Person)
October-November 2024 - 4 sessions in separate locations
This course reviews the operating elements required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in providing fully accessible fixed route bus and demand-responsive services (*ADA Paratransit, Dial-A-Ride, Deviated Fixed Route, Human Service Transportation, etc.) to people with disabilities. Content includes Non-Discrimination Requirements, Assisting Riders with Disabilities (including riders using wheelchairs, walkers, hidden disabilities, etc.), Service Animals, Direct Threat/Denial of Service, Reasonable Modification, and ADA Paratransit requirements.
•10/29 – Macon County Transit – 36 Pannell Ln, Franklin
•10/30 – Iredell County – Goodwill 124 4th Crescent Pl, Statesville
•10/31 – Duplin County Public Transportation – 144 Duplin Commons Dr. Kenansville
•11/01 – Tar River Transit 101 Coastline St. Rocky Mount
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq., was enacted as part of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. This 3-hour virtual course covers the Title VI historical overview, requirements under Title VI, and the Components of a Title VI Program. Staff from the NC Department of Civil Rights will be available to answer questions about demographic data and NC-specific requirements.
