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SMiles – Senior Miles

SMiles – Senior Miles. A Program Created By Blount County Community Action Agency’s Office on Aging Maryville, TN. Helping People. Changing Lives. Workshop Objectives. Helping People. Changing Lives. Describe the creative process Inform about SMiles program Inspire action!.

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SMiles – Senior Miles

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  1. SMiles – Senior Miles A Program Created By Blount County Community Action Agency’s Office on Aging Maryville, TN Helping People. Changing Lives

  2. Workshop Objectives Helping People. Changing Lives Describe the creative process Inform about SMiles program Inspire action!

  3. But first…a little background Demographics of Region

  4. Demographics Rural Appalachian Mountains 124,000 county population Affluent and impoverished residents High percentage of elderly Transportation challenges Strong sense of community

  5. The Why and How of SMiles Why Transportation listed as top need in Blount County by seniors & professionals Current transportation options not senior-friendly nor convenient Designed to complement existing, not replace it How • Researched senior transportation programs across U.S. & modeled program after best practices • Volunteer transportation most sustainable of all options • 2 years in development • Local funding

  6. The Model • Small group of 4-5 volunteers developed through OOA • Wrong people at table • Limited community awareness of this issue

  7. Needed: Ownership & Leadership • Aging Summit • Senior Action Council

  8. County Aging SummitDecember 4, 2012 Representatives from… Government Nonprofits Churches Businesses 4-hour gathering, 120 people Keynote, small group discussions Summary emailed to all invited

  9. Senior Action Council • Identified prospective council members • Representatives of four key groups • Movers and Shakers in county • Recruited 10 people for 1-year commitment • First meeting in March, 2013 • Task: address local senior issues • Top priority: senior transportation • Basic model presented • Council urged to research • Model refined, budget developed • Seed money secured

  10. Why SMiles is Needed Helping People. Changing Lives. Quality of life influenced by availability and convenience of transportation options Large increase in senior population In order to remain at home, seniors need affordable, dependable transportation We’re all one stroke or broken leg away! Rides change lives, improving emotional, social, and physical well-being of seniors

  11. The SMiles Vision Helping People. Changing Lives. Quality of life for seniors Neighbors driving neighbors Senior-friendly and affordable Aging in place Community involvement for seniors

  12. SMiles Transportation Helping People. Changing Lives. New program – to Blount County Sustainable Senior-friendly Rides within Blount County for essential trips Membership program, NOT public transportation Volunteer drivers using own vehicles

  13. What’s “senior friendly”? Available Acceptable Accessible Adaptable Affordable

  14. About the SMiles Program Helping People. Changing Lives. • Residents age 60+ purchase $25 annual membership • Cost is $6 per round-trip and prepaid • $49 for membership and 4 prepaid rides • Riders call 3 days in advance to request rides • Monday through Friday • Trips within county only • Neighborhood-based • Door-through-door service – help with groceries and assist rider when entering & exiting vehicle, house and destination

  15. SMiles Drivers Helping People. Changing Lives. SMiles believes in Blount County’s volunteer spirit Drivers recruited to drive personal autos One-on-one, door-through-door accompanied service Drivers attend 4-hour training prior to first ride Drivers self-assign rides online using Assisted Rides software Minimum age of 21 SMileage (gas reimbursement) available at 20 cents per mile

  16. Driver Criteria Helping People. Changing Lives. • Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance • Interview and references • Safe driving record, no criminal history • Vehicle liability insurance meeting TN law (100/300/100 recommended; umbrella policy encouraged) • Access to cell phone (computer/internet a plus!) • Commit to drive at least three hours a month

  17. Insurance & Liability Helping People. Changing Lives. Addressed this issue up front when recruiting Personal Auto Insurance is always primary Volunteer insurance policy provides excess auto, liability, medical coverage (CIMA) Insurance rates determined by miles driven, not who is in the vehicle Covered by our agency’s liability insurance Volunteer senior transportation programs proven to be a safe activity over 50-year history

  18. State & Federal Volunteer Protection Laws Helping People. Changing Lives. TN’s “Good Samaritan” law Federal Volunteer Protection Act of 1997

  19. Rider Comments • “A very critical and wonderful program for the elderly – will be 86 this summer. Thank you!” • “How SMiles benefits me: • Reliability – I don’t worry about the driver cancelling at the last moment or forgetting to come • Convenience – one call sets this up. I don’t have to call around hunting for a ride, possibly inconveniencing friends • Appointments – I can make appointments on the spot with doctor, dentist, hairdresser, etc, know I can come whenever it’s convenient with them. This program is a veritable godsend for me. Thank you!” • “Everyone has been very courteous, friendly and kind! Thank you very much for this much needed service. You are an answer to prayers!”

  20. Driver Comments • “Love being able to schedule myself!” • “The software (Assisted Rides) is very easy to use.” • “Every rider has been very appreciative.” • “I am thrilled that our county has this program available to its residents” • “I really love participating in SMiles and have met some wonderful and interesting people.”

  21. SMiles Funding Helping People. Changing Lives. • Sustainable through diverse funding • Three grants for first year • Rider contributions balance out driver SMileage of 20 cents/mile • Fundraising to expand program in future

  22. Assisted Rides Software Highly recommend for ease of use & capacity Online product Equivalent of full-time person Volunteers assign themselves to ride online Complete driving directions & mileage Riders call office to schedule rides Tracks each client account Best of all – the reports! Visit www.alternetridesfor more info

  23. Steps to Success

  24. SMiles after 10 months… 2060 trips 110 members – average age 80 54 volunteer drivers – average age 67 14,442 miles 1809 volunteer hours $30,766 in volunteer time 38.5% of trips for medical, 25% for personal

  25. Valuable Websites www.blountcaa.org/programs/SMiles www.beverlyfoundation.org www.alternetrides.com www.seniortransportation.net http://quickfacts.census.gov

  26. Any Questions? Helping People. Changing Lives.

  27. Thank you Joani Shaver, OOA Director Blount Co Community Action Maryville, Tennessee jshaver@blountcaa.org www.blountcaa.org/programs/SMiles Aaron Bradley, Director East TN Area Agency on Aging & Disability Knoxville, Tennessee abradley@ethra.org

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