Training

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 online,  as “open” classes for anyone at ATA’s Training Center in North Little Rock, or on-site at agency locations 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.

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.

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.

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).

Whether the emergency is sudden cardiac arrest or choking, your staff should feel confident responding to the situation. This course, based on the American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR/AED course for the lay responder, can be tailored to teach skills to assist adults, children, or infants. Each student will receive an American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Student Workbook. Instruction is in-person (speaker, video, workbook, classroom discussion, and handouts.)  CPR certification is valid for 2 years.

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).

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.

A phone call, a couple of text messages, checking your hair in the rearview mirror, or changing the radio station. These may seem like nothing, but they could put the safety of you and those around you at risk. Distracted driving is a national concern. Motorists, passengers, and pedestrians are at risk from actions that may seem inconsequential but may have tragic consequences. This course will define distraction, show some of the most common driver distractions, teach you how to focus on what's important to you as a driver. We will also discuss the importance of having an agency policy on driving distracted. Instruction is in-person (speaker, video, classroom discussion, and handouts).

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).

Learn about the signs of probable alcohol abuse and drug use by safety sensitive employees and the responsibilities of supervisors and managers to make a reasonable suspicion determination.   Supervisors 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 regulations. This course meets federal FTA and FMCSA regulations, which require supervisory training.  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).

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.

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.

Prepare employees to recognize on-the-job emergencies and provide the appropriate assistance for injuries and illnesses, such as burns, cuts, bad allergic reactions, diabetic episodes, and seizures.  This course can be presented alone or with CPR. Each student will receive an American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid CPR/AED Student Workbook. Instruction is in-person (speaker, video, workbook, classroom discussion, and handouts). First Aid certification is valid for two years.

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.

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.

This course, recently created by the National Transit Institute, is intended for transportation employees and others who work directly with the public and as well as maintenance employees responsible for cleaning and servicing  vehicles.  Attendees will gain the knowledge and skill to:
• Identify the types of diseases to which they may be exposed.
• Discuss how these illnesses are most often spread.
• Describe how they can protect themselves and others from contracting these diseases.
• Explain the proper method for disposal of contaminated materials or decontamination of contaminated areas.
Instruction is in-person (speaker, video, classroom discussion, and handouts).

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.

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).

The safety and security of transit employees and the public is a primary concern for any agency that provides transportation.  In addition to protecting their systems from crime or acts of terrorism, agencies and employees face the challenge of addressing workplace violence issues.  Whether threat of a physical attack from a rider or intimidating behavior by, co-worker, this course helps employees and supervisors prevent, respond to, and recover from workplace violence incidents.  This course from the National Transit Institute provides your transit employees with the skills and knowledge to:
• Recognize and define workplace violence.
• Identify agency and personal security measures for preventing workplace violence.
• Describe strategies for dealing with “different,” difficult, and dangerous people.
• Understand the importance of recovering from workplace violence.
Instruction is in-person (speaker, video, classroom discussion, and handouts).

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).

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.

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.

Training TitleEstimated LengthMaterials Fee- memberMaterials Fee- Non-member
ADDT Transportation Training Package4 Hours$30.00 $70.00
ADDT/EIDT (Both) Transportation Training Package6 Hours$45.00 $105.00
Child Passenger Safety2 Hours$15.00 $35.00
CPR2 Hours$22.00 $42.00
Defensive Driving (START)2 Hours$15.00 $35.00
Distracted Driving2 Hours$15.00 $35.00
Drug & Alcohol Awareness for Safety-Sensitive Employees2 Hours$15.00 $35.00
Drug & Alcohol Training for Supervisors2.5 Hours$15.00 $35.00
DTT/NET Contract Transportation Training Package6 Hours$45.00 $105.00
EIDT Transportation Training Package6 Hours$45.00 $105.00
First Aid in the Workplace2 Hours$15.00 ($26.50 w/CPR)$35.00 ($46.50 w/CPR)
FMCSA DER Training2.5 Hours$15.00 $35.00
FTA DER Training2.5 Hours$15.00 $35.00
Infectious Disease Awareness and Prevention2 Hours$15.00 $35.00
Transit Driver Training Package6 Hours$45.00 $105.00
Transport of Older Passengers and Passengers with Disabilities2 Hours$15.00 $35.00
Violence in the Transit Workplace3 Hours$15.00 $35.00
Wheelchair Securement and Lift Operation2 Hours$15.00 $35.00

Arkansas Transit Association

Advancing public transportation in Arkansas through education, technical assistance and training.

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