How to Start a Reuse Program – Policies, Procedures, and Regulatory Issues September 16, 2009 – National AT Reuse Conference Heather Young & Alma J. Burgess CReATE is an initiative of the Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP)

Presentation Overview  What is CReATE  P&Ps: Initial Considerations  P&Ps: How we got started  CReATE Processes  Mitigating Liability  P&Ps: Challenges

What is CReATE  Citizens Reutilizing Assistive Technology Equipment (CReATE) Refurbish power and manual wheelchairs and scooters Focus on Northern Utah and Wasatch Front Serve all ages, statewide Part-time technician and office coordinator Charge Service Fee

CReATE Stats  Devices transferred: 22 (Oct 08 to Sep 09)  Donations received: 87 Wheelchairs and scooters (Jan 20 to Sep 10, 09)  Saved individuals: $92,846  Phone inquires: 97 (Jan to Sep 09)  Devices recycled: 70 (Aug to Sep 2009)  Weight of recycled devices: 15,920 pounds or 7.96 tons (Feb to Sep 09)

P&Ps: Initial Considerations  Desired process/organization  Program based NOT person based  Liability  Transportation Partnership with Arc of Utah  Verbiage – plain English, not technical writing

P&Ps: How we got started  Research Talked to other programs and people Attended conferences Spent time at warehouse  Thoughts on paper – brainstorming Staff Advisory Committee  Decided on a format  Divided into sections  Implemented  Lesson Learned: Put into practice – don’t wait!!!  Office Coordinator updating regularly

P&Ps: How we got started  Procedure Example Money Handling Procedure (first procedure)

CReATE Processes  Device Donation to Acquisition Recycling Refurbishing Sanitization Evaluation Service Fee

Mitigating Liability  P&Ps  Quality Control Process Checklists  Forms

P&Ps: Challenges  Employees implementing on daily basis  Collaborators implementing  Recording changes  Managing from a distance Implementation and revisions

Questions?

Contact Information  Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP)  Heather Young /  Alma J. Burgess /