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HomeMy WebLinkAbout041811_ca05 JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of Commissioners FROM: Jefferson County Sheriff's Office DATE: April 18, 2011 RE: Jefferson County Target Zero Task Force Project STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Contract between Washington Traffic Safety Commission and Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Project Title: Jefferson County Target Zero Task Force Project ANALYSIS: The Target Zero Task Force Project will fund a traffic safety manager position plus minimal funds in support of that position. The mllnllger will work to support Washington State's Strategic Highway Safety Plan: Target Zero. The goal is to strive for zero motor vehicle fata1ities and serious injuries by the year 2030. The project will focus on reducing impaired driving and speeding as well as increasing the proper use of seat belts. The Target Zero Manager will apply for traffic safety grants for law enforcement overtime, training, and equipment, as well as traffic safety items such as bicycle helmets and child car seats. The Target Zero Manger will also coordinate the teaching of traffic safety classes and CarFit clinics for mature drivers. FISCAL IMPACT: The project is scheduled to begin July 1, 2011 and continue to June 30, 2013. The requested amount is $42,985. Matching funds are encouraged, but not required. The listed match is $87,415. Budgetneutra1, '''' 'T"-_'r "t<--J", 7." ,.,.;7'-,/#, he- St..<r7(f;' ~I"\"./ ""-'Jf...:r> RECOMMENDATION: Approval of contract. ~ ountyA .. r~ f-j/k/;/ Date GRANT REQUEST FORM / PROJECT AGREEMENT Washington Traffic Safety Commission PO Box 40944 Olympia, Washington 98504-0944 360.753.6197 • 360.586.6489 (fax) http://www.wtsc.wa.gov/ ldrake@wtsc.wa.gov Authorization Project title: Jefferson County Target Zero Task Force Project Check the box(es) that best describes your proposal: PRIORITY ONE PRIORITY TWO Impaired Driving CollisionsDistracted Drivers Speed Related Collision Occupant Protection Roadway Departure Issues Traffic Data Systems Young Drivers Intersection Collisions PRIORITY THREE PRIORITY FOUR Unlicensed Drivers Older Drivers Work-Zone Collisions Pedestrian Safety Aggressive Drivers Wildlife Collisions Motorcycle Safety Bicycle Safety Drowsy Drive Commercial Vehicle Safety Pupil Transportation Vehicle Train Crashes Head-On Crashes Integrated Interoperable Communications Emergency Medical Services LOCAL PRIORITY AREA: Older Drivers Applicant agency/organization: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Applicant project: Jefferson County Target Zero Task Force Project Director: Andrew Pernsteiner________________________________________________________________ Sergeant Name Title Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office 79 Elkins Road Port Hadlock, WA 98339 _apernsteiner@co.jefferson.wa.us _360-344-9760 Address City/Zip email telephone Applicant agency/organization authorizing official (person with contracting authority): Director John Austin_______________________________________________________ Chairman, Board of County Commissioners_ Name Title P.O. Box 1220 Port Townsend, WA 98368____________jaustin@co.jefferson.wa.us_ 360-385-9100________________ Address (if different than above) email Telephone _____________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________ Date Signature WTSC Use Only: WTSC Program Manager_________________ Planned Project Duration: From: July 1, 2011 To: June 30, 2013 Approved by : Name: ________________ Federal (HSP) Project Number:_______________ Title: Director_______________ Federal Funds (obligated) $__________________ Signature: ___________________ CFDA Number ____________________________ Date: ______________________ 1 Washington Traffic Safety Commission Project Agreement Target Zero Task Force Project Requirements Coordination of all NHTSA national mobilizations, to include tribal mobilizations as ? identified yearly by NHTSA and WTSC Manage the current High Visibility Enforcement driven Mobilization patrols, DUI ? enforcement activity, Speeding, Occupant Protection mobilizations and other programs as identified and outlined by WTSC. Responsibilities are to include and not limited to budget tracking, funding dissemination, activity and reporting requirements, distribution and tracking of Memorandum of Understandings. This may include assigned cities and counties outside approved project locations. Promote and participate with multi-disciplinary community agencies, using all available ? resources and staff to promote strong collaboration and an integrated systems approach to traffic planning at the local level. Maintain and manage the Washington Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) component for ? the duration of Project Agreement. See attached criteria & guidelines. Establish a baseline for the traffic safety priorities, utilize a detailed data driven approach ? to support the proposed problem identification. Report on specific deliverables and projects using the defined quarterly report form, to ? support a Government, Management, and Accountability and Performance (GMAP) format. This reporting system will be developed by the WTSC and recipients of the grant funds, and closely monitored to ensure compliance with the project guidelines and deliverables. Work collaboratively with local media outlets to increase traffic safety awareness ? addressing keys components of substantiated priority issues. th Submit monthly reimbursement vouchers to WTSC. Due by the 15 of each month to ? cover all project specific expenses for the previous month. Monthly reimbursements for this grant cannot exceed 1/24 of the total grant amount. Establish a stakeholder advisory board, to include and not limited to local ? representatives from engineering, education, enforcement and emergency medical service (EMS) The Stakeholder Advisory Board is required to meet a minimum of once a quarter and is required to be in place by August 1, 2011. Integrate input from stakeholder advisory board regarding priorities, action plans, and ? timelines. Analyze potential problems as well as opportunities, and adjust plans based on input. Attend and participate in WTSC sponsored Target Zero bi-annual conferences and other ? meetings as requested by WTSC. Maintain and update an effective web page to support the approved local program. ? Updates must be completed on a quarterly basis. 2 Provide education and resources to the community, local school districts, and law ? enforcement agencies implementing traffic safety projects, including grant opportunities and programs offered by WTSC. Educate the community on traffic safety priorities. ? Provide office space and necessary office supplies to support the identified Target Zero ? Manager. The assigned office space shall be readily accessible to the public and ADA compliant. Approved projects will be required to identify a .85 FTE for the duration of the program; requests for reduction of hours must be submitted in writing and pre-approved by WTSC. Reimbursement will not exceed more than 1/24 for total grant per month for the entire contract. 3 Jefferson County Target Zero Task Force Project 1. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Geography: Jefferson County is sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and Hood Canal with no roadways in its mountainous midsection. Approximately ninety-eight percent of the paved roadways are two-lanes and they travel over foothills, curve around coves, and bridge streams flowing out of the Olympic Mountains. Often the road shoulders are narrow, lined by overhanging trees and populated with wildlife. Jefferson County is a tourist and retirement destination. Population: Jefferson County 2010 census population is 29,872. This reflects a 15.1% growth over the last decade. The median age of 50.16 years (2009) increased to 50.58 years (2010) (WA= 36.85 and 37.06, respectively). Jefferson County ranks second highest in the percentage of people 65 and older (26.53%) compared with other Washington counties (WA = 12.39%). San Juan County ranks first with 27.25% of its residents aged 65 and older. Economics: Low wages in Jefferson County are reflected by a projected 2010 median household income of $42,752, $12,627 below the Washington State average. This is also reflected by the fact that 43% of children enrolled in public schools are eligible for free and reduced meals program compared to statewide average of 38%. Medicaid covered slightly over 61% of county residents giving birth in 2008 compared to the state average of 47.8%. The unemployment rate for Jefferson County in February 2011 was 10.9%, significantly higher than Washington State’s rate of 9.1%. In 2009 the number of nonfarm jobs in the county fell by nearly 10%, compared with less than 5% for Washington State. Wage-earners tend to work at low paying jobs in the tourist, fishing, or lumber industries and live in the rural areas. Seventy percent of the jobs are in Port Townsend and because housing there is not affordable for many of these employees, they live outside the city and commute. The mean travel time to work was 26 minutes. Traffic Safety Issues: There are 870 miles of roadways in Jefferson County’s 1,814 square mile area. WTSC Traffic Research and Data Center counts 92.9% of Jefferson County roadways as rural (WA = 59.8%). Statistics show that there are a higher number of fatality crashes per vehicle mile traveled on rural versus urban roads (61% versus 39%) with 2.12 fatalities per 100 million VMT on county roads, 1.47 on highways, and .77 on city streets. There are no interstate roadways in Jefferson County and only 7.1% of the roadways are considered urban. The average fatality rate for Jefferson County from 2005- 2009 was 1.77 per 100 million VMT, considerably higher than Washington State’s 5-year average of 1.02 per 100 million VMT. From 2005 through 2009, 42.9% of the fatalities in Jefferson County were in impaired driver involved. Fatalities resulting from speed-related collisions dropped from 24.2% during the 2004- 2008 period to 17.9% during the 2005-2009 period. During this same period 87% of vehicle occupants in fatal and serious injury crashes were wearing their safety restraints. Half of the collisions resulting in a fatality from 2005 to 2009 involved a distracted driver (Note: N=14 with a range from 0 to 6 MVF per year). 4 According to Countermeasures that Work (2010), fatal motor vehicle crashes per 100 million VMT begin to increase dramatically for the 65 and older population. Nationwide they project that in 2030 this age group will be 19.3% of the population and will represent over 20% of licensed drivers. Residents of Jefferson County exceed those predictions today with 26.53% being 65 and older (WA = 12.2%) and making up 27.78% of the licensed drivers (WA = 14%). Nationwide the fatal crash rate for older drivers per mile traveled is higher for all but the youngest drivers. Between 1999 and 2010, 33.3% of Jefferson County’s traffic fatalities were 60 years or older (this age group represented about 30% of the population). The average age of motor vehicle fatalities between 1999 and 2010 was 50.47 years. These statistics do not include older people who died of medical causes while driving and subsequently crashed their vehicle. In 2010 there were at least two drivers whose deaths were determined to be caused by medical reasons rather than crash injuries. (Luckily, no other vehicle on the roadway was involved in either crash.) At the other end of the age spectrum are the children. There was a slight increase of 4.2% in the preschooler population (0-4) from 1990 to 2009. Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has operated a child car seat program since 2000. It provides child car seats to residents who qualify (low income) and promotes a loaner car seat program for grandparents who have visiting relatives. The demand has increased in both programs due to the poor economy and increased fees charged by airlines for extra baggage. 2. AGENCY QUALIFICATIONS Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office actively supports Target Zero. JCSO has hosted a traffic safety task force coordinator since 1999. A dedicated Traffic Sergeant is a certified DRE, SFST instructor, and serves as the Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) for the traffic safety program. The Target Zero Manager is a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor, an AARP Driver Safety Program Regional Coordinator, a CarFit Event organizer, Treasurer for the Washington State Safety Restraint Coalition, and a member of the Jefferson Transit Citizen Advisory Committee. During the current grant period, JCSO sponsored a SFST refresher course for law enforcement agencies on the North Olympic Peninsula, a NHTSA Older Driver Law Enforcement Course, and a Child Passenger Safety Technician Course as well as many AARP Driver Safety Program classes throughout Jefferson County. Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has participated yearly in DUI and speed emphasis patrols and the Nighttime Seatbelt Enforcement campaigns. They have worked with the four school districts to get flashing beacons installed and have an active school zone enforcement policy. In the last 10 years they have received four Reducing Underage Drinking grants, several WASPC equipment grants, WTSC school zone equipment grants, a DOH child passenger safety grant, and some funding for local traffic safety projects from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Foundation. Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office participates in quarterly alcohol compliance checks in partnership with the Washington State Liquor Control Board and the Port Townsend Police Department. Additionally, JCSO has partnered with Jefferson County Public Works in writing a Safe Routes to School grant and worked with the Department of Transportation on their Highway 19 and 20 Corridor project. 5 3. and 4. PROJECT GOALS and SUPPORTING TASKS AND ACTIVITIES The mission of the Jefferson County Target Zero Task Force is to work collaboratively with city, county, and state agencies as well as businesses, groups, and interested individuals to reduce the number and severity of traffic collisions in Jefferson County. The goals have been designed to align with the priorities outlined in the Washington State Strategic Highway Safety Plan – Target Zero. A. Manage the programs of the Jefferson County Target Zero Task Force Supporting Tasks and Activities: 1. Maintain a .60 FTE Target Zero Manager. 2. Support traffic safety activities associated with all NHTSA national mobilizations. 3. Coordinate with a Washington Law Enforcement Liaison officer who will be associated with the Jefferson County Target Zero Project. 4. Act as a contact on traffic safety issues with local media; publicize and interpret the Target Zero message to the public; issue press releases on timely traffic safety issues; coordinate press releases with WTSC and WSP. 5. Submit monthly reimbursement vouchers and quarterly reports to WTSC. 6. Evaluate the progress of the grant using a spreadsheet with GMAP format. 7. Attend WTSC sponsored Target Zero Bi-annual Conferences. 8. Maintain a local and WTSC websites on JCTZ Task Force. 9. Maintain office space that is accessible to the public and ADA compliant. 10. Provide traffic safety educational resources to local schools, the community, and law enforcement officers. 11. Hold quarterly stakeholder meetings. 12. Actively participate in community coalitions that support TZ goals. These may include, but are not limited to, DOT’s Highway 19 & 20 Corridor Project, Safe Routes to School programs, and pedestrian / bicycle safety programs. B. Reduce the 3-year average of impaired collisions resulting in fatal or serious injuries in Jefferson County Benchmark: 2007-2009 4.67 Goal: 2010-2012 3.50 Supporting Tasks and Activities: 1. Write, coordinate, manage the finances, and report the results of grants for emphasis patrols targeting impaired drivers. Issue press releases on these activities in coordination with WTSC. 2. Meet with stakeholders to develop strategies using Best Practices and identifying high collision areas of impaired drivers. 3. Coordinate alcohol compliance checks with the Liquor Control Board, Port Townsend Police Department and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Benchmark Goal Task 7/1/09-3/31/11 10.3% sales 7% sales 100 compliance checks 4. Host Responsible Alcohol Sales classes in Jefferson County Benchmark Goal Task 4 classes 4 classes 4 classes 6 businesses, 12 businesses, 13 employees 20 employees 6 C. To reduce the 3-year average of speed related collisions resulting in fatalities and serious injuries in Jefferson County Benchmark: 2007-2009 6.00 Goal: 2010-2012 5.00 Supporting Tasks and Activities: 1. Write, coordinate, manage the finances, and report the results of grants for emphasis patrols targeting speeding drivers. Issue press releases on these activities in coordination with WTSC. 2. Meet with stakeholders to develop strategies using Best Practices. 3. Promote school zone enforcement and issue press releases on these activities. 4. Conduct driver enforcement of stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks. D. Decrease the 3-year average of collisions resulting in fatalities & serious injuries in which vehicle occupants were not restrained Benchmark: 2007-2009 2.67 Goal: 2010-2012 2.00 Supporting Tasks and Activities: 1. Write, coordinate, manage the finances, and report the results of grants for emphasis patrols targeting seatbelt use. Issue press releases on these activities in coordination with WTSC. 2. Work toward increasing proper seat belt usage for residents 55 years and older: i. Promote CarFit inspections on the North Olympic Peninsula. Benchmark Goals Task 3 events 6 events Promote, advertise and 42 inspections 48 inspections perform inspections, and 5 trained technicians encourage DSP instructors to 8 demonstrate inDSP classes hold demonstrations in class The CarFit program educates drivers on compensation techniques and the availability of adaptive equipment designed to help drivers with physical challenges to drive safely. “DSP News” reports that over a third of the 2,100 participants had at least one critical safety issue in need of being addressed. 3. Work toward increasing child car seat safety. i. Inspect child passenger car seats by appointment (Proven) ii. Administer a child car seat loan program to grandparents/ caregivers of visiting children (Tried/ Recommended) iii. Collect and destroy old or defective child car seats and “recycle” qualified used car seats through non-profit organizations iv. Give talks on the importance of child car seat safety to parents and caregivers (Tried/ Recommended) Task Benchmark Goal Inspections 160 inspections 200 inspections Promote child car seat safety in media, perform inspections Loans 24 24 Advertise loaner program Used car 60 seats 80 seats Work with pregnancy crisis clinic, seats consignment, and used shops to reclaim old seats 12 talks 12 talks Talks addressed to preschools & Talks caregiver groups, law enforcement, or others interested groups (e.g., Kiwanis) 7 E. Decrease older driver motor vehicle fatalities in Jefferson County Benchmark: 1999-2010 33% MVF Goal: 2010-2012 25% MVF Supporting Tasks and Activities: 1. Coordinate, advertise and teach AARP Driver Safety classes in Jefferson County. Classes will emphasize impairment caused by prescribed medications and their interactions with alcoholic beverages and impairment due to physical limitations. Booklets on “retirement” from driving will be provided to participants. (effectiveness undetermined). Benchmark Goal* Task 400 students, 450 students, Promote, coordinate and teach AARP 30 classes 32 classes classes 2. Promote CarFit events (see D.2.) F. Support for Safe Routes to School Grant in Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety If Jefferson County’s Safe Routes to School Grant for Chimacum School District is funded by the legislature, the Target Zero Manager will work with the School District, Jefferson County Public Works, the Parent Teacher Organizations, and Port Townsend Bicycle Club to organize and promote the following activities. Supporting Tasks and Activities: 1. SmartCycling 101 Class for law enforcement officers thth 2. Bicycle Safety classes for 5 – 7 grades at Chimacum School 3. Bicycle trains to encourage students to ride bicycles to Chimacum school 4. Ped Bee’s Safe Trips Education packets to Chimacum teachers 5. Enforcement in Chimacum school zone – speed and pedestrian “stings” 5. PROJECT GOALS Activities and tasks have been identified in their listing as to their evaluation category as identified in Countermeasures that Work or other documents. Most activities under this grant are either proven, tried, or recommended. Evaluation criteria will include, but is not limited to, the number and scope of the projects accomplished per plan, residents reached and the accomplishments of stated goals. Further administrative evaluation will be based on the support of local agencies, timeliness of reporting to state and local agencies and other criteria as may be deemed appropriate. 6. BUDGET NARRATIVE Most of the funding will be used to support the .60 FTE position of the Target Zero Manager. The budget also includes 3-hours per month funding for a minor operative to perform alcohol compliance checks. Travel funds will be used for child car seat safety inspections at various locations, alcohol compliance checks throughout East Jefferson County, and travel to joint law enforcement meetings needed to plan emphasis patrols on the North Olympic Peninsula. Matching funds will be provided by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in the form of supervision and staff time, TZM benefits (medical, L&I, employer contributions to FICA), office space, supplies, mailings, equipment use, and phone. 8 Washington Traffic Safety Commission Project Agreement Section 3 Budget Summary BudgetWTSC CostsApplicant Matching/ Contributing Cost 1. Salaries and Wages: $ Target Zero Manager .60 FTE @ 16.50/hr $ 41,283 Assistant 72 hours at $9/hr 648 Volunteer time and matching staff time $ 45,760 Supervisor $ 10,320 2. Employee Benefit $ $ 10,065 3. Travel and Subsistence: $ 1,000 Mileage for child car seat inspections in $ 1,054 Jefferson Co., LE meetings & compliance checks 4. Contractual Services: $ $ 8,670 5. Equipment: $ $ 6. Goods and Services: $ $ 9,600 Donations $ 2,000 7. Total lines1-6 (Amount Requested from WTSC) $ 42,985 8. Total lines 1-6 (Amount provided by applicant) $ 87,415 Total Project Cost (Add lines 7 & 8): $ 130,400 WTSC Use Only Cost Sharing Matching Share: (Washington Traffic Safety Commission use only) WSP Field Salaries FY_____ Share Amount Percent Applies To: Federal: $__________ ________ State:__________ State: $__________ ________ Local:__________ Political Subdivision: $__________ ________ Total Estimated Cost: $__________ _________ Washington State Traffic Safety Commission 9 Jefferson County Target Zero Task Force Project 2011-2013 Appendix a.Jefferson County Motor Vehicle Fatalities Summary 2004 to December 2010 b.WS DOT Jefferson County – Reported Collisions 2004 through 2008 c.Jefferson County – licensed drivers by age 2010 d.Jefferson County - Local Traffic Safety Priorities – Fatality Crashes e.Jefferson County - Local Traffic Safety Priorities – Serious Injury Crashes f.Forecast of the State Population Jefferson County Fatalities 2004 – June 2009 Date Age Driver or Gender # in Resident Impaired Seatbelt Vehicles Causing psgr collision Vehicle 1 1/9/04 41 D M 1 No Yes ? C Y 2 3/7/04 54 D M 1 No Yes ? PU Y 3 4/6/04 57 D M 2 Yes No n/a M - ST Y 4 5/5/04 73 D F 2 No No ? C – ST Y 5 5/23/04 44 D M 1 Yes Yes n/a M Y 6 7/28/04 48 D M 2 Yes No n/a M-C Y 7 7/15/04 63 D M 1 Yes No* ? C Y *ruled as medical 1 6/28/05 25 P M 1 No Dr – yes ? PU Y 2 7/7/05 53 D M 3 No No ? Rental C – Y C - C 3 7/9/05 24 D M 2 Yes Yes ? C-C Y 4 10/24/05 86 P F 2 Yes No ? C-C N 5 11/22/05 56 D M 2 Yes No ? PU – PU Y 1 4/6/06 17 P F 1 No No Y C Y 2 6/24/06 88 D M 2 No No Y C-C Y 3 12/27/06 52 D M 2 No No No C-C Y 4 12/30/06 69 P M 2 No No Y C-C Y 5 3/4/06 36 D F 1 Yes No* Y C Y *medical Diabetic coma 1 2/27/07 42 D M 2 No No ? C-C Y 2 5/5/07 54 D M 2 No Yes ? C- RV Y 3 6/4/07 56 D M 2 No No ? C-ST Y 4 6/21/07 53 D M 2 Yes Yes ? C-ST Y 5 7/11/07 60 D M 2 Yes No n/a B- Tt N 6 8/28/07 50 D M 1 Yes No n/a M Y 7 10/7/07 28 D M 1 No Yes ? C Y 8 10/7/07 24 P F 1 No Yes ? C Y 9 10/8/07 52 D M 1 No Yes ? C Y 1 1/14/08 74 D F 1 Yes No Yes C N/A 2 7/31/08 58 D F 1 Yes No ? C Y 3 9/11/08 62 D M 2 Yes No Yes C-RV Y 4 9/11/08 56 P F 2 Yes No Yes C-RV Y 5 9/22/08 59 D F 2 Yes Yes No C- Tt Y 6 11/15/08 27 P F 1 No No Yes C Y 7 12/29/08 66 D M 1 Yes No Yes C Y 1 5/14/09 51 D M 2 Yes No Helmet B – C Y 2 10/6/09 21 D M 1 Yes Yes No PU Y 1 3/1/10 59 D F 4 Yes No Yes C-C-C-PU N 2 4/25/10 74 D M 1 Yes No n/a M deer 3 8/17/10 76 D M 2 Yes No Yes RV-C Y 4 10/29/10 67 D M 1 No No n/a M Deer 5 11/19/10 41 M D 2 Yes No Yes C-C Y B = Bike or Electric-assist bike M = Motorcycle T = Truck Bu = Bus PU = pickup truck Tt = Truck with trailer C = Car RV = Recreational Vehicle ST = Semi & logging trucks Jefferson County 2010 Licensed Drivers by age Driver's both license - genders age 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 number 87 165 223 259 250 283 282 282 281 291 age 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 number 254 265 281 261 260 255 276 269 241 261 age 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 number 246 272 267 320 314 292 290 264 342 349 age 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 number 356 389 419 434 478 454 527 546 567 554 age 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 number 599 630 642 660 654 693 790 655 614 579 age 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 number 653 606 493 492 452 353 371 342 329 311 age 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 number 253 239 257 216 202 166 177 186 147 117 age 86 87 88 89 90 Over 90 Total number 119 91 65 61 42 104 2,403 information from Dick Doane, WTSC 3/2011 Forecast of the State Population November 2010 Forecase State of Washington Office of Financial Management Senior Population Washington’s population is aging, resulting in a rise in the average age of the population and a burgeoning of the older age groups. This is a major demographic development which will have profound implications for policy making and planning at the state and local level. In 2010 there are about 823,400 persons ages 65 and older, representing 12.2 percent of the state’s total population. Growth in this age group has been slow since the late 1990s, as the small birth cohorts of the Great Depression entered their sunset years. 3 However, the size of this age group is now increasing and is expected to accelerate after 2011 as the baby boomers enter this age group. Current annual gains of about 20,000 per year are expected to increase to over 45,000 per year in 2018. By 2030, the elderly population is forecast to reach 1,675,800 persons, representing one-fifth of the state’s total population. Population 65 and over Year Population 2010 823,357 2030 1,675,774 The Most Elderly Population The population 85 or more years old is about 127,200 persons in 2010. The size of this group is expected to increase by 84,200 by 2030. Most of this growth will occur after 2020 when the baby boom cohort begins to enter this elderly group. Assisted living, skilled care, and the medical needs for this age group are expected to place increased demands on the resources of Washington and the nation as a whole. Population Ages 85 and Over Year Population 2010 127,191 2030 211,399