1. April 26, 2007 Road to Independence WorkFirst Van Programs in the Puget Sound Presenter: Faith Trimble, President

2. April 26, 2007 Puget Sound Educational Service District “Reducing transportation as a barrier to employment for low-income individuals”  Serves Pierce and King Counties  ECEAP & HeadStart Transportation  CDL Training  WorkFirst Van Program

3. April 26, 2007 How It Works  WorkFirst participants are trained as van drivers  Trained drivers are placed as Community Jobs drivers on WorkFirst vans  Trained drivers transport WorkFirst/Low-Income participants to work, training, childcare

4. April 26, 2007 2005-06 Trip Information Drivers: 2-6 drivers One-way trips: 500 Riders: 150

5. April 26, 2007 How Much It Costs $250,000/year + Capital Costs

6. April 26, 2007 Results  Employable skills as driver or dispatcher  Retain unsubsidized employment  Transportation not a barrier to employment  Economic and social stability

7. April 26, 2007 Success Story “April had a lot of issues before she came to the ‘Road to Independence’ program, including domestic violence, drugs, homelessness, and prostitution. She was able to work on those issues with a counselor and with support she received from program staff. She successfully completed the program and received her CDL Class B endorsement. She got a job as a driver for a company that delivers medical supplies.”

8. April 26, 2007 Challenges  Getting eligible drivers 16-20 trips/month turned back  WorkFirst service dollar reductions  Case worker referrals

9. April 26, 2007 Coordination Opportunities  Community Jobs/WorkFirst  HeadStart and ECEAP  Courier Service  Resource for other providers  School District Partnership

10. April 26, 2007 More Information… Jacque Mann, Program Director 425-917-7886 jmann@psesd.org

11. April 26, 2007 Volunteer Drivers Best Practices Presenter: Faith Trimble, President

12. April 26, 2007 A Great Resource http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/transit/vdg/default.htm  Risk Management  Rider Policies  Driver Selection  Driver Conduct  Driver Training  Vehicle Operations  Vehicle Equipment  Vehicle Maintenance  Incidents & Accidents  Program Records

13. April 26, 2007 Best Practice - #1 “All drivers, whether using agency vehicles or their personal vehicles, should be appropriately trained to safely carry out their responsibilities”

14. April 26, 2007 Best Practice - #2 “All volunteer drivers who operate agency vehicles should follow the same policies and procedures as paid drivers operating similar vehicles”

15. April 26, 2007 Limiting Financial Exposure  Insurance  Waivers, Releases, Agreements to Participate & Hold Harmless  Policies Personnel Payment/Donation Incident/Accident/Collision Other

16. April 26, 2007 Selecting a Driver  Minimum Standards  Job description  Position application  Statement of understanding  Interview  Reports from licensing authority  Criminal records checks  Proof of Insurance  Driver Selection

17. April 26, 2007 Training  Orientation/Logistics  Vehicle Operation, Lift Operation, Wheelchair Securement, and Road Experience  Bloodborne Pathogens  Defensive Driving  Passenger Assistance and Sensitivity  Car Seats and Child Securement  CPR & First Aid (optional)  Gatekeeper Training  Abuse, Neglect, Abandonment, Exploitation  Drug-Free Workplace

18. April 26, 2007 Other Resources  Web Links  Model Forms and Procedures http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/transit/vdg/default.htm