Pilot Program to Expand Transportation Options
February 2020 BONUS online content
In 2016, Catholic Social Services’ Northern Counties office launched RideLink, a call center designed to link adults with transportation options that could meet their needs and their ability to pay. In the course of managing this call center, agency staff have been able to assist many individuals in need, but have also found gaps in the region’s existing transportation resources. This has led to conversations with a variety of area leaders about how to fill those gaps.
In partnership with ODOT, Catholic Social Services is launching a pilot Volunteer Driving Program to expand transportation options in a six-county region. Thanks to funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation, the six-month pilot will run in Auglaize, Logan, Mercer, Shelby, Darke and Champaign Counties. One of the goals is to eliminate gaps in transportation that exist because of the lack of cross-county and region-to-region transport.
The Volunteer Driving Program is focused on transporting individuals to medical and non-medical appointments and to employment. The highest-priority populations will be older adults, individuals with disabilities, and low-income populations who don’t have access to other options. The program is meant to allow access for those who need transportation outside of traditional transit hours and who cannot afford the high cost of private providers.
The first phase of the program is the recruitment, vetting, and training of approximately 10 volunteer drivers. The training includes eight hours of ODOT Drive training, CPR and First Aid, VIRTUS (Child Protection) training, and Defensive Driving training. The volunteers will provide curb-to-curb transportation, using their personal vehicles to transport within their county and adjoining counties.
Anyone who is interested in getting more information about becoming a volunteer driver should contact Michelle Caserta-Bixler at (937) 575-7115 or mcaserta@cssmv-sidney.org.


Good News: Winter 2019-2020
A Note from the CEO
December 16, 2019/by Andrea SkrlacLong-Term Recovery is Just Beginning
December 16, 2019/by Andrea Skrlac#InspiredBy
December 16, 2019/by Andrea SkrlacNavigating Family Life
December 16, 2019/by Andrea SkrlacSaying Thanks on Giving Tuesday
December 16, 2019/by Andrea SkrlacMobility Management Services Growing in Northern Region
December 16, 2019/by Andrea SkrlacRefugee Resettlement Program Rises to Meet Challenges
December 16, 2019/by Andrea SkrlacCSSMV Special Events Hosted 1,140 Guests in 2019
December 16, 2019/by Andrea SkrlacTwo Successful Events in a BIG Tent
December 16, 2019/by Andrea Skrlac
Eckerle Administration Center
922 West Riverview Avenue
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 223-7217 or (800) 300-2937
General email: cssmv@cssmv.org
Navigation
Latest News
- Generations CampaignApril 27, 2022 - 7:15 pm
At Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley’s Annual Meeting on April 27, CEO Laura Roesch announced the public phase of a five-year comprehensive campaign inspired by the desire to broaden and enhance the agency’s impact as it enters its second century of service. The Generations Campaign will run through 2025, with a total fundraising goal of $10,000,000.