Women On Wheels
A TWF board member related a touching story:
"My eighty-five-year-old mother drove her eighty-four-year-old neighbor and waited in the waiting room during the neighbor’s cataract surgery because she has no family members in town to wait and drive her home."
Another board member described a poignant situation:
I was in a hurry to get home, but as luck would have it, a car was moving slowly along the curvy road. The driver started stopping at each mailbox to look at the address. The pattern continued after she turned onto another road. Then she stopped. I got out and when I approached her car, this elderly lady exclaimed that she had lived here all her life and now couldn’t find her home. She gave me the address and I led her home.
As a medical social worker in a large community hospital confided:
I have a list of the 14 nonprofit and for profit vans taped to my wall. When a patient needs transportation, I have to call each one individually, moving down the list, until I find a provider who can provide a ride. It is so time consuming and frustrating. Imagine an elderly person having to do this…
A comment from a caregiver speaks volumes:
My mother no longer drives and is not steady on her feet. I used leave time from work to take her to her appointments. Although she can afford to take a cab, she needs a companion to walk with her. Then there is the time it takes to get prescriptions filled, lab work done and all of that. I anticipate resigning my full time position if the frequency of her medical appointments increases.
Solution
Logo designed by PHP Communications, Inc.
Faith-based service • Coordinated Transportation Resource Center • Companions
In March 2004, The Women’s Fund Board granted $150,000 to United Way of Central Alabama, Inc.’s, Community Initiative’s Division (UWCA) to design a model that addressed the issues voiced in the community. First, a Needs Assessment was commissioned. Parker Consulting revealed a significant number of missed medical appointments and heavy reliance on family members for transporting elderly members of the family to medical appointments. The successful model, called Women On Wheels (WOW) addressed the concerns effectively and efficiently.
In January 2006, the pilot on the ground WOW transportation service—drivers and companions-- rolled out at Metropolitan Church of God. Three more churches planted the volunteer-based transportation service with drivers and companions.
The centerpiece of the system was a Transportation Resource Center. By calling one toll-free telephone number individuals, family members or professionals linked to the most appropriate existing transportation service in the community.
In November 2006, the pilot concluded. Over 400 rides had been given.
Lessons were learned
The Women’s Fund and United Way of Central Alabama, Inc., are pleased to share two “how-to” manuals:
Faith-Based Transportation Model
Transportation Resource Center Model
TO REQUEST A COPY OF THESE DOCUMENTS, PLEASE CONTACT US AT 205-327-3822 OR EMAIL YOUR REQUEST .
The model is a great start, but it is not enough:
According to Portraits 2000, there were almost 79,000 women over the age of 65 living in the Greater Birmingham area. By 2025, the area is expected to experience an 84% increase in that number. Elderly women, many of whom live alone, must rely on others for rides to medically related services, shopping, and socialization activities. Women 65+ outlive men 7 to 1.
United Way of Central Alabama, Inc., conducted an extensive needs assessment in the 5-county area in 2006. The number 1 issue for all residents in the 5 county area was transportation:
Transportation is the issue that most affects households in the UWCA Service area.
Transportation is the primary issue identified in the Community Needs Assessment, affecting households across all counties in the United Way of Central Alabama service area. Four of the survey items related to transportation, and all four were among the top 10 issues across the service area.
The major transportation challenges reported by area households in the last 12 months have been:
- lack of available public transportation – a challenge for 39.1% of households surveyed
- getting transportation for work – 31.8%
- transportation for a disabled or elderly person – 35.1%
- transportation for medical care – 30.7%.
Public transportation is limited in access and availability.
Public transportation is provided by the Metro Area Express (MAX) and ClasTran in Jefferson County; by ClasTran in Shelby, St. Clair and Walker Counties; and by the County Commission in Blount. MAX provides 15,000 trips a day in 10% of the urbanized Metropolitan Service Area. ClasTran provides 1,100 trips a day, covering Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair and Walker Counties. Blount County Transit provides limited demand-response service in Blount County.
Alabama is one of five states in the U.S., and the only southeastern state, that does not provide matching funds for public transportation. All funds to match federal formula, flexed and earmarked funds must be provided by local government and transit revenue; a 1952 amendment to Alabama’s Constitution makes it illegal to use state gas tax and license fee revenues for public transportation. (United Way of Central Alabama, Inc., 2006 Needs Assessment, p.7 )
What needs to happen?
In its Transportation Improvement Plan 2008-2011, The Regional Planning Committee (RPC) cited the Transportation Resource Center developed for WOW as a viable model for coordinating transit for all of the greater Birmingham area residents. Transit coordination is arguably a responsibility of government. Federal funding can be drawn down with a local and regional match. Click Here for more details.www.rpcgb.org/longrangeplan
The Coordinated Human Service Transportation Plan, at www.bhammpo.org/transitplanning has detailed strategies and action plans. The Transportation Resource Center is the number one priority for action. WoW’s model was endorsed in the Plan. The report discusses the lack of regional cooperation, resistance to providing the local match necessary, poor communication, the 1950 amendment to the Alabama Constitution that prohibits gas tax and license fees for public transportation, and ALDOT’s proscription of funding anything not included in its Transportation Improvement Plan 2008-2011.
If the transportation resource center is funded and in place, WOW (renamed Wellness On Wheels) faith-based services, other nonprofit services for seniors, Clas-Tran, MAX VIP, Kid One, and a host of transit services for those trying to get to work, social services, and other destinations can be accessed by calling one toll-free number.
What can our community residents do?
The Regional Planning Commission has a Citizens Transportation Committee, which meets monthly.
Talk to your legislator: legislative changes HAVE to occur before revenue streams can flow.
Ask your church to start WoW—even without the transportation resource center, at least we are doing something toward preparing for the increasing numbers of elderly who will need transportation.
