Arkansas Transit Association’s award-winning training program is widely known as one of the most effective and innovative in the country. In partnership with the Federal Transit Administration and Arkansas Department of Transportation, ATA provides public transit, paratransit, and community human services agencies the widest scope of passenger transportation trainings available.
Courses are offered in individual on-demand, group on-demand, or on-site/in-person formats. While most trainings are presented for a nominal materials fee, ATA members enjoy a discount. Member agencies are invoiced for training when attendance certificates are sent to their training contacts. To view the Training Calendar, click here.
Course Descriptions
ADDT Transportation Training Package
This training package is designed for employees providing transportation services (drivers and attendants) to meet training requirements in:
- Arkansas Dept of Human Services Rules for the Division of Developmental Disabilities Adult Developmental Day Treatment (ADDT) (§605)
Topics to be covered include:
- START Defensive Driving (w/Emergency Procedures) (approved as a Defensive Driving Course by the Arkansas Dept of Finance and Administration Office of Driver Services)
- Wheelchair Securement and Lift Operation
Instruction is online or in-person (speaker, video, classroom discussion, handouts, and hands on demonstration). ADDT Transportation Training is valid for three years.
ADDT/EIDT (Both) Transportation Training Package
Does your agency provide both ADDT and EIDT services? Then this is the training package for you. It is designed for employees providing transportation services (drivers and attendants) to meet training requirements in or related to:
- Arkansas Dept of Human Services Rules for the Division of Developmental Disabilities Adult Developmental Day Treatment (ADDT) (§605)
- Arkansas Dept of Human Services Rules for the Division of Developmental Disabilities Early Intervention Day Treatment (EIDT) (§604)
- Arkansas Dept of Human Services’ Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers (§§306 and 1301)
- Arkansas Child Passenger Protection Act (ACA §27-34-104)
Topics to be covered include:
- START Defensive Driving (w/Emergency Procedures) (approved as a Defensive Driving Course by the Arkansas Dept of Finance and Administration Office of Driver Services)
- Child Passenger Safety
- Wheelchair Securement and Lift Operation
The course is presented by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. Instruction is online or in-person (speaker, video, classroom discussion, handouts, and hands on demonstration). ADDT/EIDT Transportation Training is valid for three years.
Child Passenger Safety
Learn proper installation techniques for child passenger safety seats, as well as the importance of proper installation. Topics to be covered include:
- Why child passenger safety matters
- Types of car seats
- Proper use of car seats, booster seats, and beyond
- Kids left in hot cars
This course, based on the curriculum produced by Safe Kids Worldwide, is designed to meet the car seat safety training requirements in or related to:
- Arkansas Dept of Human Services Rules for the Division of Developmental Disabilities Early Intervention Day Treatment (EIDT) (§604)
- Arkansas Dept of Human Services Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers (§306)
- Arkansas Dept of Human Services Day Treatment Transportation (DTT) contracts
- Arkansas Dept of Human Services Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Services (NET) contracts
- Arkansas Child Passenger Protection Act (ACA §27-34-104)
Participants will leave with knowledge they can use to keep their youngest passengers more secure. The course is presented by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. Instruction is online or in-person (speaker, video, classroom discussion, handouts, and hands-on demonstration).
Defensive Driving (START)
This is a comprehensive defensive driving course based on Safety Training & Rural Transit (START) from National RTAP. Topics to be covered include:
- Vehicle Safety
- Driver Safety
- Emergency Procedures
It is designed to meet the defensive driving course requirements in:
- Arkansas Dept of Human Services Rules for the Division of Developmental Disabilities Adult Developmental Day Treatment (ADDT) (§605)
- Arkansas Dept of Human Services Rules for the Division of Developmental Disabilities Early Intervention Day Treatment (EIDT) (§604)
- Arkansas Dept of Human Services Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers (§§306 and 1301)
- Arkansas Dept of Human Services Day Treatment Transportation (DTT) contracts
- Arkansas Dept of Human Services Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Services (NET) contracts
This class is approved as a Defensive Driving Course by the Arkansas Dept of Finance and Administration Office of Driver Services. Instruction is online or in-person (speaker, video, and classroom discussion).
DHS/DDS Transportation Training (Now Called Transit Driver Training Package)
ATTENTION: This training package is now called the Transit Driver Training Package. The Arkansas Dept of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities Services has withdrawn the DDS Standards for Certification, Investigation and Monitoring for Center-Based Community Services for which this training package was originally named.
Drug & Alcohol Awareness for Safety-Sensitive Employees
Drug use and alcohol abuse in the transportation workplace affects the safety of everyone: passengers, employees and the general public. This course addresses the physical, behavioral, and performance indicators of substance misuse, as well as the collection process according to US Department of Transportation regulations. This course meets FTA and FMCSA regulations requiring education and/or training of covered employees. Instruction is online or in-person (speaker, video, classroom discussion, and handouts).
DTT/NET Contract Transportation Training Package
This training package is designed to meet training requirements for drivers and attendants providing transportation service under:
- Day Treatment Transportation (DTT) contract with the Arkansas Dept of Human Services (see RFP solicitation #710-22-0009 §2.3.10, Attachment B Written Questions 27 and 28, and Addendum 1), AND/OR
- Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Services (NET) contract with the Arkansas Dept of Human Services (see IFB bid #710-18-1025 §§2.5, 2.9, 2.25, 2.27, and 2.30)
Topics to be covered include:
- START Defensive Driving (w/Emergency Procedures) (approved as a Defensive Driving Course by the Arkansas Dept of Finance and Administration Office of Driver Services)
- Child Passenger Safety
- Wheelchair Securement and Lift Operation
The course is presented by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. Instruction is online or in-person (speaker, video, classroom discussion, handouts, and hands on demonstration). DTT/NET Contract Transportation Training is valid for two years.
EIDT Transportation Training Package
This training package is designed for employees providing transportation services (drivers and attendants) to meet training requirements in or related to:
- Arkansas Dept of Human Services Rules for the Division of Developmental Disabilities Early Intervention Day Treatment (EIDT) (§604)
- Arkansas Dept of Human Services Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers (§§306 and 1301)
- Arkansas Child Passenger Protection Act (ACA §27-34-104)
Topics to be covered include:
- START Defensive Driving (w/Emergency Procedures) (approved as a Defensive Driving Course by the Arkansas Dept of Finance and Administration Office of Driver Services)
- Child Passenger Safety
- Wheelchair Securement and Lift Operation
The course is presented by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. Instruction is online or in-person (speaker, video, classroom discussion, handouts, and hands on demonstration). EIDT Transportation Training is valid for three years.
FMCSA DER Training
Designed for both new and experienced Designated Employer Representatives (DER), Designated Employer Representative Alternates (DER Alternate), and Drug and Alcohol Program Managers (DAPM) at agencies that belong to ATA’s FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Consortium, this in-depth course covers:
- General Information about DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing
- Drug Testing Procedures
- Alcohol Testing Procedures
- General Troubleshooting
- Drug and Alcohol Program Administration
Instruction is online.
FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Training for Supervisors
Learn about the signs of probable alcohol misuse and prohibited drug use by safety-sensitive employees and the responsibilities of supervisors and managers to make a reasonable suspicion determination. Participants will learn about physical, behavioral and performance indicators of substance misuse, as well as the collection process for alcohol and drugs according to US Department of Transportation rules. They will also learn FMCSA-specific information about post-accident testing, including determination and the testing process. This course satisfies the supervisor training requirements of federal FMCSA rules (49 CFR 382.603). It is designed for both the new supervisor and the veteran supervisor who needs refresher training on reasonable suspicion determination. Instruction is online or in-person (speaker, video, classroom discussion, and handouts).
FTA DER Training
Designed for both new and experienced Designated Employer Representatives (DER), Designated Employer Representative Alternates (DER Alternate), and Drug and Alcohol Program Managers (DAPM) at agencies that belong to ATA’s FTA Drug & Alcohol Consortium, this in-depth course covers:
- General Information about DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing
- Drug Testing Procedures
- Alcohol Testing Procedures
- General Troubleshooting
- Drug and Alcohol Program Administration
Instruction is online.
FTA Drug & Alcohol Training for Supervisors
Learn about the signs of probable alcohol misuse and prohibited drug use by safety-sensitive employees and the responsibilities of supervisors and managers to make a reasonable suspicion determination. Participants will learn about physical, behavioral and performance indicators of substance misuse, as well as the collection process for alcohol and drugs according to US Department of Transportation rules. They will also learn FTA-specific information about post-accident testing, including determination and the testing process. This course satisfies the supervisor training requirements of federal FTA rules (49 CFR 655.14). It is designed for both the new supervisor and the veteran supervisor who needs refresher training on reasonable suspicion determination. Instruction is online or in-person (speaker, video, classroom discussion, and handouts).
Problem Passengers & Assault Prevention
Problem Passengers & Assault Prevention is designed for drivers at any experience level. They’ll learn strategies and tips for handling many of the passenger-related challenges they face every day, including:
- Passenger Management
- Managing Disruptive Behavior
- Uncooperative Passenger Behavior
- Dealing with Threats (Non-Assault)
- Assault
- Stress Management
The material in this course is adapted from the National Rural Transit Assistance Program’s Problem Passengers course and the National Transit Institute’s Assault Awareness & Prevention and Violence in the Transit Workplace courses. It is available in individual on-demand, group on-demand, and on-site/in-person formats.
Transit Driver Training Package
This training package is designed to meet training requirements in or related to:
- 49 CFR 37.173
Topics to be covered include:
- START Defensive Driving (w/Emergency Procedures) (approved as a Defensive Driving Course by the Arkansas Dept of Finance and Administration Office of Driver Services)
- Transport of Older Passengers and Passengers with Disabilities
- Sensitivity to aging
- Diseases and Functional factors commonly affecting older adults
- Passenger assistance and transfer techniques
- Wheelchair Securement and Lift Operations
Instruction is online or in-person (speaker, video, classroom discussion, handouts, and hands on demonstration). The Transit Driver Training Package is valid for three years.
Transport of Older Passengers & Passengers with Disabilities
Learn how to meet the transportation needs of older passengers and passengers who have a variety of disabilities. Topics to be covered include:
- Sensitivity to aging
- Diseases and functional factors commonly affecting older adults
- Environmental considerations affecting passengers
- Passenger assistance and transfer techniques
Instruction is online or in-person (speaker, video, classroom discussion, and handouts).
Wheelchair Securement & Lift Operation
Learn principals of safe lift operation, wheelchair securement, and passenger securement. This course also includes information on non-wheelchair mobility devices, customer service, and passenger assistance. It is designed to meet the wheelchair securement and lift operation training requirements in:
- Arkansas Dept of Human Services Rules for the Division of Developmental Disabilities
- Adult Developmental Day Treatment (ADDT)
- (§605)Arkansas Dept of Human Services Rules for the Division of Developmental Disabilities
- Early Intervention Day Treatment (EIDT)
- (§604)Arkansas Dept of Human Services Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers
- (§306)Arkansas Dept of Human Services Day Treatment Transportation (DTT) contracts
- Arkansas Dept of Human Services Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Services (NET) contracts
Instruction is online or in-person (speaker, video, classroom discussion, handouts, and hands-on demonstration).
Open Training Information
What is an "Open" Training?
ATA sponsors classes on some of the most popular topics at our training center in North Litlte Rock. These classes are "open" to anyone who wishes to register. ATA members enjoy a discount on the material fee.
Non-members must pre-pay for "open" classes.
"Open" Training Payment Policy
Arkansas Transit Association invoices agencies for all employees registered for "open" classes. Exceptions will be made when a representative from the organization calls to cancel the registration BEFORE the class begins.
If you know that an employee will be unable to attend a class for which he or she has been registered, you have two options.
1) Send a substitute employee or
2) Call our office or send an e-mail before the class begins.
Otherwise your agency will be invoiced for the cost of that person’s attendance. We understand that emergencies happen and things can change very quickly. If you are unable to perform either option, please call as soon as you can so we can discuss the situation. If you are a current member of the Association, we do not require pre-payment for the attendees before the class begins. We will continue to invoice your agency following each training. Certificates and invoices are not given to the attending employees. They are mailed to the agency’s training contact.
Non-member agencies are asked to pre-pay. If you would like to discuss becoming a member of ATA, please call our office at 501.372.8900 and speak with Rebecca East.
Training Payment Policies
Online Courses: Arkansas Transit Association (ATA) mails out invoices for online courses to member agencies at the beginning of the month following the date the course is requested through the ATA website. Payment is due within 30 days of invoice. For non-member agencies, you will be contacted for payment prior to course enrollment. After course enrollment, students have two weeks to complete the course. Course access will expire the earlier of two weeks after course enrollment or two days after course completion. For students who fail to complete the course in the two weeks during which their enrollment is active, payment in full is still due.
In-Person Classes: ATA mails out invoices with attendee certificates within two weeks after the class. Payment is due within 30 days of invoice. For non-member agencies, you will be contacted for payment prior to the class.
Training Payment Policy
Arkansas Transit Association (ATA) invoices agencies for all employees registered for "open" in-person classes even registrants who fail to attend. Exceptions will be made when a representative from the organization calls to cancel the registration BEFORE the in-person class begins.
If you know that an employee will be unable to attend a class for which they have been registered, you have two options:
1) Send a substitute employee; or
2) Call our office or send an e-mail to cancel before the class begins.
Otherwise, your agency will be invoiced for the cost of that person’s attendance. We understand that emergencies happen and things can change very quickly. If you are unable to perform either option, please call as soon as you can so we can discuss the situation.
If you are a current member of the Association, we do not require pre-payment before the class begins. We will continue to invoice your agency following each in-person class. Certificates and invoices are not given to attending employees but are mailed to the agency’s training contact.
Non-members are asked to pre-pay for in-person classes. If you would like to discuss becoming a member of ATA, please call our office at (501) 372-8900 or email at info@arktransit.org.
Class Price Information
| Training Title | Estimated Length | Materials Fee- member | Materials Fee- Non-member |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADDT Transportation Training Package | 4 Hours | $30.00 | $70.00 |
| ADDT/EIDT (Both) Transportation Training Package | 6 Hours | $45.00 | $105.00 |
| Child Passenger Safety | 2 Hours | $15.00 | $35.00 |
| Defensive Driving (START) | 2 Hours | $15.00 | $35.00 |
| Drug & Alcohol Awareness for Safety-Sensitive Employees | 2 Hours | $15.00 | $35.00 |
| DTT/NET Contract Transportation Training Package | 6 Hours | $45.00 | $105.00 |
| EIDT Transportation Training Package | 6 Hours | $45.00 | $105.00 |
| FMCSA DER Training | 2.5 Hours | $15.00 | $35.00 |
| FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Training for Supervisors | 2.5 Hours | $15.00 | $35.00 |
| FTA DER Training | 2.5 Hours | $15.00 | $35.00 |
| FTA Drug & Alcohol Training for Supervisors | 2.5 Hours | $15.00 | $35.00 |
| Problem Passengers & Assault Prevention | 1.5 Hours | $15.00 | $35.00 |
| Transit Driver Training Package | 6 Hours | $45.00 | $105.00 |
| Transport of Older Passengers and Passengers with Disabilities | 2 Hours | $15.00 | $35.00 |
| Wheelchair Securement and Lift Operation | 2 Hours | $15.00 | $35.00 |
Arkansas Transit Association
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