Chenango County welcomes volunteer driver program
NORWICH – Chenango County Planning and Development officials held an informational seminar on Tuesday about its new volunteer driver program, and how that program could benefit Chenango County.
The meeting was held at 2 p.m. on November 6 in the Chenango County Office Building, and according to Chenango County Planner Rena Doing, the event was held to discuss the development of the program.
According to documents presented at the meeting, the program has raised $43,838.58 in private funds and 291 individuals have already been served. The document also laid out a plan for how the process of Getthere works.
The document states interested drivers will complete an application, out of the interested drivers some are selected and trained, then when a client calls into the call center they are vetted through the programs intake process, and a driver is sent out to the call.
"Our staff members guide callers through case management services to fully understand and meet each individual's unique needs," states the document. "The Getthere Call Center serves as a starting point for many who have few transportation options including seniors, persons with disabilities, and those who are geographically isolated."
It adds that drivers have the option to accept the call, and if they do they're reimbursed with bi-weekly mileage.
"Most rural people, most of the time, must travel log distances to access essential goods, services, and employment," states the document. "Living rural should not equate to being disadvantaged because of a lack of access to essential services and opportunities."
According to the Director of Getthere William Wagner, the program is a Mobility Management Program of the Rural Health Network of South Central New York that serves five counties in central NY including Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, and Tioga Counties.
Wagner said 17 individuals submitted applications to be volunteer drivers after yesterdays meeting, which could be a great addition to the program's reach.
"As mobility mangers we are always looking for ways to create or coordinate more transportation resources," said Wagner. "We have been assisting Chenango County residents with transportation to health care for 4 years."
Wagner said rides would be requested through the Getthere Call Center, and a volunteer would then provide the transportation and be reimbursed mileage from the Getthere Connection to Care funds. Connection to Care is supported by Chenango County United Way, and this service would aid in assisting United Way funds to be stretched to serve more people, more trips, and a greater number of miles.
He said even though a volunteer driver program isn't a new concept for the area, one of the struggles with providing transportation to Chenango County is the number of limited resources and the distances necessary to travel for health care.
"In fact several years ago Chenango County RSVP offered volunteer drivers to seniors," said Wagner. "The revival of this service has been discussed by a Transportation Committee consisting of leaders from various community based organizations around Norwich and Chenango County."
He said committee was formed and facilitated by Chenango County Planning Department and Getthere Staff.
The current proposed volunteer driver program would be coordinated by Getthere Call Center Staff.
If you or someone you know may be interested in signing up as a volunteer or learning more information feel free to reach out to William Wagner at (607) 692-7669 ext. 220.
The meeting was held at 2 p.m. on November 6 in the Chenango County Office Building, and according to Chenango County Planner Rena Doing, the event was held to discuss the development of the program.
According to documents presented at the meeting, the program has raised $43,838.58 in private funds and 291 individuals have already been served. The document also laid out a plan for how the process of Getthere works.
The document states interested drivers will complete an application, out of the interested drivers some are selected and trained, then when a client calls into the call center they are vetted through the programs intake process, and a driver is sent out to the call.
"Our staff members guide callers through case management services to fully understand and meet each individual's unique needs," states the document. "The Getthere Call Center serves as a starting point for many who have few transportation options including seniors, persons with disabilities, and those who are geographically isolated."
It adds that drivers have the option to accept the call, and if they do they're reimbursed with bi-weekly mileage.
"Most rural people, most of the time, must travel log distances to access essential goods, services, and employment," states the document. "Living rural should not equate to being disadvantaged because of a lack of access to essential services and opportunities."
According to the Director of Getthere William Wagner, the program is a Mobility Management Program of the Rural Health Network of South Central New York that serves five counties in central NY including Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, and Tioga Counties.
Wagner said 17 individuals submitted applications to be volunteer drivers after yesterdays meeting, which could be a great addition to the program's reach.
"As mobility mangers we are always looking for ways to create or coordinate more transportation resources," said Wagner. "We have been assisting Chenango County residents with transportation to health care for 4 years."
Wagner said rides would be requested through the Getthere Call Center, and a volunteer would then provide the transportation and be reimbursed mileage from the Getthere Connection to Care funds. Connection to Care is supported by Chenango County United Way, and this service would aid in assisting United Way funds to be stretched to serve more people, more trips, and a greater number of miles.
He said even though a volunteer driver program isn't a new concept for the area, one of the struggles with providing transportation to Chenango County is the number of limited resources and the distances necessary to travel for health care.
"In fact several years ago Chenango County RSVP offered volunteer drivers to seniors," said Wagner. "The revival of this service has been discussed by a Transportation Committee consisting of leaders from various community based organizations around Norwich and Chenango County."
He said committee was formed and facilitated by Chenango County Planning Department and Getthere Staff.
The current proposed volunteer driver program would be coordinated by Getthere Call Center Staff.
If you or someone you know may be interested in signing up as a volunteer or learning more information feel free to reach out to William Wagner at (607) 692-7669 ext. 220.
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