1. Presentation on Planning Transportation Options Practical Solutions & Volunteer Driver Programs The Volunteer Driver TurnKey Kit 2005 Copyright © 2007 Beverly Foundation

2. Volunteer Driver Program Planning This presentation is intended to provide assistance in your planning discussion. The presentation includes (1)an introduction to transportation options (2)challenges seniors face with many options (3)the rationale for planning a volunteer driver program and criteria for success in making it “senior friendly” (4)models that exist throughout the country (5)considerations for discovering the right model for you We encourage you to adapt the presentation to your particular needs.

3. They Are Central to Life People Problems Institutional Problems Many Are Out There Transportation Options Visit a Friend Home Why Transportation Options? “The Tie That Binds” Population Problems Shopping

4. There Are Numerous Options There Are Numerous Options Ground Transportation Alternatives for Seniors Automobile:single passenger, shared ride Public Transit:buses, light rail transit, trains/subways community shuttles & jitneys Paratransit:ADA transit, Dial-A-Ride transit Private Transit: taxis, limousines, chauffeur services Specialized Transit:1. hospital based transit programs 2. Interfaith & church-based programs 3. volunteer service programs (Red Cross) 4. volunteer transit services 5. senior program transit (adult day care, nutrition site, senior center Other Options:Low speed vehicles, bicycles, walking

5. Institutional Challenges Providing Options Isn’t Simple l philosophy of serving the general population l don’t view seniors as different than anybody else l lack of awareness of special needs of seniors l funds are limited l vehicles are not adaptable l services are both high cost and high maintenance l services aren’t coordinated l services are narrowly focused l staff is unprepared l environment is difficult for service delivery

6. People Challenges Seniors Can’t Always Use Options l unaware of existing options l can’t walk to the bus stop l unable to wait in hot sun l unable to travel for long periods of time l in need of assistance from escorts l fearful of getting lost l afraid of falling l unable to pay the costs l concerned about safety l can’t get to the fun things in life

7. Total 65 - 84 85+ Population PopulationPopulation 2000 Total275,306,00030,523,000 (11%)4,312,000 (1.6%) 2030 Total351,070,00061,388,000 (17%) 8,931,000 (2.5%) Change22% 50% 52% The “Old Old” Will Need Options Population Challenges

8. Having Options Is Central To Life TRANSPORTATION The Tie That Binds Essentials Non Essentials Home Care Hairdresser Adult Day Care Volunteer Work Grocery Shop Visiting Friends Medical Care Theatre Social Services Library Trips

9. Data from Research The Volunteer Driver Option Restaurant Home Do We Replicate or Adapt? “Community Focus” Criteria for Success Church Volunteerism

10. Are Volunteers Really An Option? Senior Volunteers in the United States (age 55+) 27.7 million total number of senior volunteers 3.3 hours per volunteer = 4.8 billion hours @ $15.40 per hour Dollar value of volunteer time… Adult Volunteers in the United States 44% of adults volunteer = 83.9 million Americans 3.6 hours per volunteer = 15.5 billion hours @ $15.40 per hour Dollar value of volunteer time… $239,200,000,000 $71,200,000,000

11. Volunteer Driver Research 2004 A Profile drive personal vehicles commit 1 to 5 hours a week available on weekdays (sometimes evenings +) concerns: time, liability, handling disabled satisfaction: helping people, feeling needed, getting to know riders, and donating time / money majority: 55+ (someday riders) Advantages tap into human resource offer supportive service give joy to the rider enable driver to give back expand services & save $ Challenges eliminating liability concerns securing reasonable ins. recruiting volunteers providing vol. management raising funds “data from organizations representing 2,753 volunteer drivers

12. Criteria For Success Provide assurance that transportation options (to driving the car) will be “senior friendly” Criteria: the 5 A’s* Availability Accessibility Acceptability Affordability Adaptability *Developed by the Beverly Foundation in 2000 Included by the GAO in 2004 Incorporated by NASUA in 2004

13. Availability The Volunteer Driver Program…. provides transportation to seniors involves members of the community as volunteer drivers is able to recruit and retain sufficient number of drivers provides services during normal “work” hours ensures vehicles are clean and well maintained

14. Acceptability The Volunteer Driver Program… uses automobiles to provide majority of transportation does not require advance scheduling provides insurance coverage for volunteer drivers covers the driver’s deductible in the event of a crash has organizational affiliations with human & transit services

15. Accessibility The Volunteer Driver Program… can meet needs of majority of elders in the community can take riders to destinations beyond city & county boundaries provides “door to door” transportation provides training to riders on how to access services provides driver “sensitivity to seniors” training

16. Affordability The Volunteer Driver Program… uses “volunteer” driver vehicles does not charge for its services accepts passenger donations is able to acquire insurance at a “affordable” price is able to reimburse drivers for mileage or costs

17. Adaptability The Volunteer Driver Program… can provide services to multiple destinations makes an effort to link riders with other service can provide “door thru door” transportation if needed can provide transit anytime (day, evenings, weekends) can access vehicles to accommodate wheelchairs plus

18. Johnson City Catch A Ride West Austin Caregivers #4 Models & Methods Services Home Are There Success Stories? “Volunteer Models” TRIP Ride Connection Gadabout

19. Johnson City Catch A Ride Location: Olathe, Kansas (90% suburban, 10% rural) Type: government agency, administered by AAA Target Audience: seniors and disabled Number of Volunteer Drivers: 75 Number of Trips: 5,136 Type of Vehicle: uses riders’ vehicles Type of Rides: medical, shopping and recreational Special Feature: use of vehicles owned by riders Budget: $50,000 Sustainability: started in 1999

20. Gadabout Location: Ithaca, New York (urban and rural) Type: Independent provider Target Audience: seniors and disabled and special populations Number of Volunteer Drivers: 30 volunteer drivers (42 paid drivers) Number of Trips: 61,202 one way rides Type of Vehicles: vehicles owned by program Type of Rides: rides to medial, shopping & recreation Special Feature: also runs the community’s paratransit service Budget: $995,802 Sustainability: started in 1976

21. West Austin Caregivers + Location: Austin, Texas (urban-suburban) Type: Sponsorship by churches (interfaith caregiver program) Target Audience: people age 60 and over (some younger people) Number of Volunteer Drivers: 85 Number of Trips: 4,161 Type of Vehicles: volunteer vehicles Type of Rides: rides for any purpose Special Feature: facilitator of 8-member network of transit services Budget: 54,675 Sustainability: Started in 1983

22. Ride Connection Location: Portland Oregon (urban, suburban, rural) Type: started by public transit to facilitate volunteer drivers Target Audience: seniors and disabled Number of Volunteer Drivers: 405 volunteers and 243 paid Number of Trips: 300,000 Type of Vehicles: program owned and volunteer driver vehicles Type of Rides: rides for any purpose Special Feature: focus on providing escorts Budget: $5,200,000 Sustainability: started in 1988

23. TRIP Location: Riverside, CA (suburban) Type: AAA and County Transportation Commission Target Audience: Seniors and People with Disabilities Number of Volunteer Drivers: 750 - 1,000 Number of Trips: 35,000 Type of Vehicle: volunteer driver’s vehicle Type of Rides: Anyplace 24/8\ Special Feature: riders recruit their own drivers Budget: $375,000 Sustainability: Started in 1993\ Number of Crashes: none in 12 years of operation

24. The Right Cost Designing Your Program Home What Do I Want? “Senior Friendliness” The Right Skills Social Services Grocery Shopping The Right Sponsor The Right Configuration The Right Insurance The Right Linkages The Right Attitude

25. The Right Configuration Riders Quantity/Quality of Life Rides Populations Served Time of Service Charges Operating Budget Infra- structure DriversService Vehicles Capital Staff Paid Volunteer Owned Volunteer Fixed Route Door Thru Door The Volunteer Driver Model

26. Owned Vehicles Capital Costs Paid Drivers Paid Staff High COST High MAINTENANCE Low COST Low MAINTENANCE The Right Cost Volunteer Vehicles No Capital Costs Volunteer Drivers Volunteer Staff Transportation Service

27. The Right Sponsor Transportation Service New Service Area Agency on Aging Senior Center Adult Day Service Assisted Living Health Facility Add-on Service Public Transportation Dial-A-Ride ADA Transit Taxi Service Private Transit Volunteer Transit Supplemental Service Sponsor Volunteer Driver Program

28. The Right Skills Research Interest and Background Sensitivity to Needs Organizational Skills Systems Orientation Risk Management Strategy Fiscal Expertise Fund Development Entrepreneurial Skills Motivational Leadership Community Knowledge and Interest Public Relations Skills

29. The Right Insurance Organizational Insurance Transportation Program Insurance Directors Insurance Liability Organization Personal Property Volunteer Liability Insurance Accidental Driver Excess Auto Liability Assets, Reputation Board, Employees Riders, Drivers, Road Users Commercial Insurance Driver Recruitment, Screening Verification, Training General Liability

30. The Right Linkages Assistance options book community meetings surveys/focus groups business plan administrative package evaluation reimbursement Funding Constituency Contacts Legitimacy Resources Media Attention Community Network LeadershipCommitment to Success Originator Sponsor Senior Advisory Council Coordinating Committee Advisor

31. The Right Attitude “Senior Friendly” availability accessibility acceptability adaptability affordability “Senior Difficult” too far too high too inconvenient too rigid too costly

32. CONCLUSION 10 Tips for Planning A Volunteer Driver Program for Seniors recognition that seniors need transportation awareness that seniors can’t always access traditional services willingness to take the time to develop a good plan organization or group to facilitate the process knowledge about options available in the community understanding of what constitutes “senior friendliness” desire to involve volunteers in providing transportation information about possible models for consideration community involvement in decision making enough time to develop a good approach