United Way of the Brazos Valley (UWBV) needs community support to win a $25,000 grant from State Farm to fund their Ride2Health program. This rideshare program connects local volunteer drivers to patients needing transportation to non-emergency healthcare appointments, mental health services, and pharmacies.
UWBV has been selected as one of the top 200 finalists out of 2,000 nationwide applications. The next step in the grant process is an online vote to decide the top 40 programs to receive funding. UWBV is the only finalist from the Brazos Valley, and one of only 15 organizations selected from the state of Texas.
The voting period begins Aug. 18 and runs until 11 p.m. on Aug. 27. Individuals can place up to 10 votes per day during the voting period, for a grand total of 100 votes per person.
Community members are encouraged to go online each day and vote to support this vital program by visiting neighborhoodassist.com/entry/2039903. The link to vote is also available on the UWBV’s homepage at uwbv.org.
This $25,000 grant will allow UWBV to pilot the program with three local organizations and their patients, including Health For All, HealthPoint, and the Brazos Valley Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse (BVCASA).
Lack of transportation options can be a significant barrier to accessing health care, mental health services, and related preventative services in the Brazos Valley. Nearly 17% of the Brazos Valley population are without health insurance and nearly 20% are living at or below the poverty line. Lack of insurance and low-income are indicators of not obtaining adequate medical care and/or life-saving medications.
“Ride2Health is designed to provide a viable, economical, and sustainable solution to non-emergency medical transportation services for low-income individuals and families,” says Peggi Goss, Vice President Community Impact at UWBV. “The program will partner with healthcare organizations and utilize a website designed to connect the volunteer drivers with pre-qualified patients in need of a ride to healthcare appointments and pharmacies.”
Accessing preventative and maintenance health care is also critical to reducing return visits to emergency rooms and local hospitals and reducing the strain on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to transport non-emergency medical patients.
Program data shows that Ride2Health could reduce transportation-based no shows and missed appointments, which occur 21% of the time as reported by providers in the program pilot. Reducing no show rates will allow for the overall better use of healthcare resources and will improve equal access to said resources.
UWBV fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in the Brazos Valley. To learn more about United Way and to vote for Ride2Health, visit uwbv.org.
Information courtesy of United Way of the Brazos Valley
