Kid One Transport

Description

The nonprofit Kid One Transport was started in 1997 by Russell Jackson. After seeing the health disparities and destitution just miles from his home, Jackson voluntarily drove children who needed a ride to and from their medical appointments. Since then, the service has grown to become a 20-vehicle team, covering 39 of Alabama's 67 counties.

Of Kid One Transport's clients, 90% of their families make less than $10,000 a year and 91% receive Medicaid. More than 25% of expectant mothers in Alabama do not receive adequate prenatal care. That, and the region's low birth weight and high infant mortality rate, is why Kid One Transport also puts a priority on expectant mothers.

In many of these rural communities, patients have to travel more than 100 miles for specialized healthcare. For families that have no method of transportation or money for fuel, getting medical treatment is problematic. Kid One Transport's purpose is to "bridge the transportation gap that prevents thousands of Alabama's children and expectant mothers from accessing much-needed healthcare services."

Kid One Transport partners with over 700 healthcare organizations, county departments of health, community service agencies, physicians, government agencies, and nonprofits throughout Alabama.

Clients are encouraged to pay what they can for the rides if they are able, but 90% of the program's yearly budget comes from corporate and community partners to help cover transportation costs. Eleven of Kid One Transport's vehicles have been donated by Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. Other corporate sponsors include Burr & Forman LLP of Birmingham, the Quarterbacking Children's Health Foundation, the Children's Trust Fund of Alabama, and Buffalo Rock.

Services offered

The following aspects are part of Kid One Transport's services:

• Rides can be scheduled up to 30 days in advance of appointment either by phone or online.
• Kid One Transport offers local transportation in 16 counties and provides long-distance transportation to specialty medical care appointments for the other 23 counties. Specialized service destinations include preventive medical and dental care, behavioral counseling, cancer treatment, pediatric dialysis, high-risk prenatal care, and mental health, to name a few.
• A bilingual patient coordinator is available for Spanish-speaking clients.
• Before being employed with Kid One Transport, drivers go through a vetting process which includes driving and drug testing, CPR, and child/domestic violence training. Drivers not only act as chauffeurs, but also voluntarily provide emotional support for patients and families en route to and from appointments.
• Referrals to Kid One Transport can extend beyond a medical facility to family members, friends, schools, local organizations, or the clients themselves.

To be eligible for Kid One Transport services, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Reside in a community served by Kid One Transport
• Have a permanent or temporary lack of transportation
• Children must be under the age of 19
• Adults must be expectant mothers in need of prenatal care

Note: The above criteria can be altered as situations are evaluated and clients accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Results

Since the program's launch, 442,439 children and expectant mothers have been transported to and from appointments. Because of Kid One Transport, children have learned to speak and walk, and others have recovered from life-threatening illnesses. In 2022, Kid One Transport provided 15,355 transports to healthcare appointments.

Since their purpose also includes ensuring a higher quality of life for their clients, Kid One Transport has also measured applicable results of clients since they began using the service (current as of 2022):

• 74% of families reported improvement in their child's behavior at home and a decrease in behavioral problems at school
• Over 41% of clients report their child was sick less often and missed fewer days of school
• 47% of clients reported a decrease in emergency room visits
• 74% of clients reported an improvement in overall health and well-being

Kid One Transport's Founder Russell Jackson was a CNN Hero in 2008.

Challenges

The following barriers have, at times, slowed Kid One Transport's processes, making it difficult to fulfill their mission:

• Fluctuating Medicaid reimbursement rates
• The lack of providers as a whole within the state (several counties do not have OBGYNs, pediatricians, or dentists)
• Keeping up with the maintenance on all 20 of their vehicles
• Acquiring vehicles that are handicap accessible

Replication

The following is advice from current Kid One Transport President and CEO Matt Holdbrooks for those who would like to replicate a similar program:

• Like Kid One Transport's founder, start with what you have, and then build on your foundation.
• Work to secure a big vendor, like Mercedes-Benz, who can provide you with not only financial support, but needed equipment.
• Capitalize on a variety of fundraising opportunities like events and fundraising campaigns.
• Secure a fleet of vehicles and secure funding to put drivers in place before you launch your program.
• Make it easy for clients to reserve a ride. Providing both a phone number and an email address gives clients several options to get the help they need.
• Share helpful tips with clients to make their rides, and your job, easier.

Contact Information

Matt Holdbrooks, President
Kid One Transport
205.978.1001
mholdbrooks@kidone.org